EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The Los Angeles Chargers, under the guidance of Jesse Minter, are experiencing a remarkable transformation within their defense, putting them on track to achieve something the franchise hasn’t accomplished in over six decades — leading the NFL in fewest points allowed.
As they head into their regular-season finale against the Las Vegas Raiders with a playoff-bound record of 10-6, the Chargers are currently surrendering just 17.6 points per game, the lowest in the league. They have allowed a total of 281 points this season, which is seven points fewer than the Kansas City Chiefs and nine points less than the Philadelphia Eagles.
The last occurrence of the Chargers finishing a season with the fewest points allowed dates back to 1963, a year when they claimed the AFL championship. Since the merger of the AFL and NFL in 1970, the closest they have come to achieving this feat was finishing second in 1979.
Minter, in his inaugural role as defensive coordinator, has chosen not to highlight this achievement in team meetings, but he is aware of how significant it is for the team’s morale and identity. “It validates your hard work, your philosophy and how you operate,” he stated. He emphasized that much of the credit goes to the players and the efforts of general manager Joe Hortiz, who constructed a roster with diverse talents and skill sets. “Our goal from the very beginning was to be the best team defense in the NFL,” Minter added.
In contrast, the previous season saw the Chargers ranked 24th in scoring defense, allowing an average of 23.4 points per game. If they secure the top spot this season, it would mark a significant turnaround, showcasing a 22-position leap in rankings — potentially the second-largest increase since 1990, as per statistics from Sportradar.
Minter had previously served as Jim Harbaugh’s defensive coordinator at the University of Michigan, contributing to their national championship win last season. He has been able to maximize the potential of a talented group that previously faced challenges on the field. Despite having stars like Khalil Mack, Derwin James, and Joey Bosa, the Chargers’ defense struggled under Brandon Staley, who coached the team from 2021 to 2023, allowing 24.3 points per game — the fifth-highest in the league during that span.
Staley, who led the Rams’ defense to an impressive position in 2020, was responsible for the Chargers’ defensive play calls before his dismissal last season. In the off-season, the Chargers hired Harbaugh as the head coach to lead the turnaround.
The depth of the roster has also been enhanced significantly, a move that has proven beneficial after previous seasons where lack of depth was a concern. The current defensive unit often sees 19 players participating in games, a strategy that ensures no single player’s absence can lead to a collapse of the defensive effort. “You don’t ever want to rely on just one player,” Minter explained. “We’ve got multiple guys in each position that may or may not be starters, but many have experience in this league, complemented by young talent we’ve drafted. It’s a well-rounded roster.”
The Chargers showcased their defensive prowess at the season’s start by becoming only the fourth team since 1990 to limit opponents to fewer than 20 points in their first nine games. They have also recorded a league-low of 29 touchdowns allowed, with a red-zone defense efficiency rate of 44.7%, which also leads the NFL.
In addition, the Chargers’ ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks has improved significantly, as evidenced by their 46 sacks, ranking them joint fifth in the league.
“We’re definitely getting better and healthier as a team,” said James, who has achieved a personal best with 5.5 sacks this season. “More guys are learning and sharpening techniques, which we will need as the playoffs approach.”
Even with the possibility of locking in their playoff seed before kickoff this Sunday, maintaining momentum has been a crucial focus this week. “Consistency throughout the year has been our mantra, in addition to coaching,” Mack commented. “We can’t afford to dwell on what-ifs; we need to chart our own course. No one is concerned about who our opponents will be.”
As for injuries, running back Gus Edwards (ankle) and wide receiver Joshua Palmer (foot) have been ruled out for Sunday’s match. Safety Alohi Gilman (hamstring) might return from injured reserve after participating fully in Friday’s practice, while linebacker Denzel Perryman (groin) has been classified as doubtful.
