San Diego Chargers: Why the Red Zone Is Their Biggest Area of Concern

The San Diego Chargers are now 3-1 for the first time with Norv Turner as coach. It may not seem like a big deal, but for the team, it is.

Regardless of their record, the Chargers are not perfect. Many can make the argument that San Diego has only beaten winless teams. The Vikings are 0-4, the Chiefs were 0-2 when they played them and the Dolphins became 0-4 yesterday.

Philip Rivers has thrown six interceptions this season, two in every game except for Week 4. Rivers has made some costly decisions in three of four games. But against the Dolphins, he looked like he was playing in December—flawless. Don't forget, Rivers is doing everything without tight end Antonio Gates.

Injuries have once again plagued the Chargers. Gates has only played in two games and only one he caught a pass. Vincent Jackson and Malcom Floyd are each beaten up, which held them out of practice most of last week. Quentin Jammer did not play in yesterday's win as well. And mostly everyone already knows about Nate Kaeding, Luis Castillo and Bob Sanders' injuries. All three have been declared out for the season with the exception that Castillo, who could return in the playoffs.

The team can't fix injuries. The coaches can't fix injuries. Only time will heal them. What can and needs to be fixed is their red-zone offense.

The Chargers rank in the bottom half of the league in red-zone efficiency. San Diego settled for four field goals in their win against the Dolphins on Sunday. Each field goal may not of been inside the 20, but you get the gist. Three points is better than none, but seven points is even better. With the high-powered offense the Chargers have, it should be easy for them to score touchdowns, right? Well, Norv Turner isn't helping out.

On countless occasions, Turner continues to play Mike Tolbert in the red zone, despite his ineffectiveness. Obviously, Tolbert had a great Week 1, but since then, Ryan Mathews has been the one to shine. But for some reason Turner sticks with Tolbert. No disrespect to Mike, he's a good running back, but the whole reason San Diego jumped up six draft picks to grab Mathews was to make him our feature back, not a part of a one-two punch. Tolbert did have a diving touchdown on the 1-yard line, but Mathews could have done the same.

Mathews has put his speed and acceleration on display this year. He gets to the outside very fast and fights for the extra two yards. Tolbert should be used as a change-of-pace back, I get that, but on 3rd-and-5 on the 20-yard line, Mathews should be in the game. He is making the plays Tolbert isn't.

Last year, this wasn't a discussion because of a little guy named Darren Sproles. We can already say that was a big loss. Sproles is playing absolutely phenomenal for the Saints, and San Diego has not filled his spot on offense or special teams.

The easiest way to fix the red-zone problems is to turn to Mathews. Rivers will be able to execute more thoroughly with Mathews in the game. In Week 5, San Diego heads to Denver to take on a struggling 1-3 Broncos team. Look for the Chargers to score more touchdowns and settle for less field goals.

@alexramirez127