The Denver Broncos take on the San Diego Chargers, this Sunday.  The Chargers bring with them a 4-6 record and are converting 48% (3rd in NFL) of their 3rd down opportunities and scoring 48% (17th in NFL) of the time, while in the red zone.

In this weekly article, Pro Football Spotlight will bring you the upcoming opponent’s rushing and passing tendencies, as well as some additional data and observations. For example: Did you know that the Chargers are 4th in the NFL in number of 1st downs, per game?

Every team in the NFL has strengths and weaknesses, tendencies, and go-to guys. They have plays they like to call during tight situations or directions they like to run when in the middle of the football field.

Let’s take a look at the rest of those tendencies…

Rushing Offense

Rushing Notes:

• Above, is a new slider graph we are trying at PFS. First, you will see the Jets’ run tendencies. If you click the ribbon (grey column) on the right you will see how opponents are doing against the Broncos’ defense. Hope you like it.
• The Chargers have run the ball 112 times, directly at the center of the formation.  That is the 4th most in the NFL.  That is due to a couple of reasons.  First, the 3-4 defense is the weakest in that location.  Second, the Chargers frequently use a no tight end set.
• San Diego is ranked 2nd in the NFL in production, when they run the ball over the left tackle area.
• The Denver Broncos are giving up 4.2 yards, per attempt, up the middle.  They have been attacked in that location the 5th most in the NFL (92 times).  Since the Chargers like to run up the middle, and the Broncos appear to be attacked there a lot…look for San Diego to run some of their plays to the middle of the formation.

Passing Offense

Passing Notes:

• The Chargers have a big tendency to throw the ball to the short right side of the field.  They are currently ranked 4th in the NFL  in the number of attempts to that area and are completing 67% (8th in NFL) of their passes.
• San Diego loves to throw the ball deep.  Anyone that has watched only a few Philip Rivers’ games should know that.  Looking at the chart, above, the Chargers are ranked no lower than 7th in the NFL in the number of attempts to any deep zone.  That is a lot of throws deep.
• The Broncos have been attacked the 6th most in the NFL in the deep middle of the field.  Not only that, they are dead last in the yardage given up to that zone and are surrendering a 68% completion rate (29th in NFL).
• Since the Chargers like to throw the ball deep and are ranked 6th in the NFL, in attempts to the deep middle zone…look for San Diego to test that soft middle of the Bronco defensive secondary.