Through six weeks, the Los Angeles Chargers have the worst fourth quarter passing success rate in the NFL and are third-worst in fourth quarter passing EPA/Play. They are 29th in fourth quarter points per game and 27th in fourth quarter time of possession.
Tied into their late-game struggles but affecting the Chargers throughout the game is their fifth-worst red zone touchdown scoring percentage of 41.67, a number that dropped about 16 percent from last year under Kellen Moore and 13 percent from Joe Lombardi's final year. Greg Roman's offense has sputtered in the red zone and falls apart in late-game situations.
Mike Williams, if nothing else, would boost the Chargers in both areas of weakness.
One of the biggest plays of the game
— Dylan (@nyjetsfansonly) September 15, 2024
Mike Williams coming down with it on 2nd and 16 late in the 4th 🫡 pic.twitter.com/IgsOXIoYmO
There are plenty of reasons to trade for or not trade for Williams, but his presence on the field would undeniably benefit the Chargers. With Justin Herbert, Williams' EPA/target was 0.427, leading every notable pass catcher No. 10 had thrown to by a large margin (Donald Parham was second at 0.337). His success rate when targeted was second-best at .540 behind Parham.
MIKE WILLIAMS ONE-HANDED CATCH FOR 6️⃣ 😤@darealmike_dub | @chargers | via @NFL pic.twitter.com/xw5iPMjpav
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 16, 2022
The Chargers are currently the AFC's sixth seed with one of the easier remaining schedules in the NFL. They are positioned for a wild card berth, but are they going to have enough firepower on offense to do damage in the postseason? To move up a notch in late-game passing success rate and overall red zone scoring, the Chargers would be wise to add a familiar face.
