The Los Angeles Chargers are in fifth place in the AFC as of Friday. Their defensive aggression plays an important role in their success. The Chargers pace the NFL in scoring defense, which has only allowed 12.6 points per game this season.
The Bolts are one of the top 10 teams in the league in both net yards allowed (eighth, 303.8) and rushing yards allowed (eighth, 107.9). No team has scored over 20 points against the Chargers in their nine games this season.
Linebacker Daiyan Henley has emerged in recent weeks as a leader in tackles for the team. As of week nine, Henley paced the team with 94 total tackles, 59 solo stops, and 35 assisted tackles.
“That’s my little bro, we train in the offseason together and he’s just working his butt off,” said Chargers safety Derwin James. “I see how hard everyday he works and I’m nothing but happy for him.”
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Coming up second is six-year veteran James with 59 total tackles. He also placed third on the Bolts with 21 assisted hits and 38 solo tackles.
“The love that Derwin James has for football,” Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said. “I gravitated to that.”
In week 10, Henley led the league with 11 solo tackles against the Tennessee Titans. Against the Cleveland Browns in week nine, Henley paced the NFL with 14 total stops.
James is the fastest defensive back in the league to earn 500 tackles in a game, executing the feat in 67 games. In his first 60 games, James had 445 tackles, 22 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks. James mentioned how the culture of the defensive line allowed him to have fun this season.
“Just coming to work with the coaches we have, coming to work with the guys, everybody bought in,” James said. “It feels good to come to work with guys like that.”
James and Henley has developed a strong bond since they became teammates. James believes in Henley and his abilities while Henley works hard to make James proud.
“From the first day he met me, he said he wants to see me succeed and that right there stuck with me,” Henley said. “I try my hardest to just prove him right.”
