Chargers hope to ride stingy defensive momentum past Patriots and into playoffs
LA TimesChargers defensive players celebrate after making a stop in a win over the Denver Broncos on Dec. 19. Jesse Minter quickly impressed Chargers players with his calm demeanor during his first season as an NFL defensive coordinator, but as the Denver Broncos rolled up three consecutive touchdown drives last Thursday, even the unflappable Minter started to panic. “To sort of feel us as a defensive unit get our momentum back, it’s huge.” By holding the Broncos to six points in the second half, the Chargers reclaimed their lead as the best scoring defense in the NFL, giving up 18.3 points per game. “That’s the name of the game to step up when your number’s called,” cornerback Kristian Fulton said after Thursday’s game of Williamson and Dicaprio Bootle, who also was elevated from the practice squad. “He’s a guy that, on the drop of a hat, can go in there and play multiple positions and go in there and execute the defense,” Minter said, “get guys lined up, brings the confidence and brings a little bit of an edge when he’s out there.” The Chargers haven’t opened Gilman’s practice window yet, although the 27-year-old is eligible to return this week.