Chargers PFF Grades Vs. Bengals: Ladd McConkey SZN is here!

The Chargers got big plays out of their offensive and defensive lines for Ladd McConkey’s career day. Justin Herbert also showed up in the first half to help build a 21-point lead over the Bengals on Sunday night.

Defensively, without Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu stepped up with 1.5 sacks and some massive plays down the stretch to secure what many thought was a must-win game heading into the tougher half of the 2024 schedule .

Without further ado, let’s go ahead and dive in to see how Pro Football Focus graded the Chargers in their most recent win.

Crime

Best (min. 20 snaps played)

WR Ladd McConkey – 85.7
OT Joe Alt – 84.1
AND Trey Pipkins – 81.3
OT Rashawn Slater – 79.1
AND Zion Johnson – 77.4

Player of the game deservedly earned the highest grade of the game for any Chargers player. McConkey led the team with six receptions and posted a career-high 123 receiving yards to help the Bengals in prime time.

Will you look at this! Four of the Chargers’ starting five offensive linemen ranked among the top five players vs. Cincy. Rookie Joe Alt led the way, allowing over 40+ pass pressures per snap. He posted a run block and a pass block of 84.4 and 80.8, respectively.

Pipkins led the ground game with an 86.6 run block grade, while Johnson led all linemen with an 82.2 in pass blocking.

Worst

FB Scott Matlock – 53.9
WR Quentin Johnston – 61.3
WR Joshua Palmer – 64.0
TE Tucker Fish – 73.3
RB JK Dobbins – 74.8

Just go ahead and consider this part of the characters a wash. The Chargers were so strong on offense that some highly rated players ended up here.

Let’s move on!

Defense

Best

S Alohi Gilman – 83.3
LB Denzel Perryman – 75.1
CB Cam Hart – 74.3
S Derwin James – 72.8
DT Poona Ford – 69.2

Gilman was solid across the board and nearly had an interception if not for a poorly timed roughing the passer penalty. Perryman looked like a missile at times in the way he closed on ball carriers around the line. His tackle rating of 83.5 was the best on the team.

Hart was tough in run defense (40.2) and punts (49.4), but his 81.0 coverage grade was tops on the team among qualifying teams.

James finished with all of his grades at or above 69.0. He had a great day punctuated by knocking down the last Hail Mary attempt by the Bengals.

Worst

CB Ja’Sir Taylor – 38.9
DT Otito Ogbonnia – 47.5
S Elijah Molden – 50.2
EDGE Bud Dupree – 54.2
LB Daiyan Henley – 55.5

Unfortunately, Taylor was on the receiving end of several poor plays that helped the Bengals come back from their 21-point deficit. It’s two tough games for him, and it’s only allowed the rookies to sail past him on the depth chart this season.

Tito was the author of one of the biggest blunders of the night when he flattened Joe Burrow on a play that ended in an interception for the Chargers. He was subsequently called for scrubbing the ball when he landed on Burrow with his full weight.

Henley played well but was unfortunately annoyed by the play where his attempt at a pass break resulted in him helping Tee Higgins catch the ball close to the end zone.