Los Angeles Chargers

Manti Te'o, Denzel Perryman duo gives Chargers fans a shred of hope

Published Nov. 30, 2015 6:06 p.m. ET

foxsports

It took far too long for the Chargers to discover a winning defensive formula this season.

They found it, nonetheless. Manti Te'o and Denzel Perryman combined to give the Chargers 13 tackles, an interception, and some hope after Sunday's win in Jacksonville.

“We just feed off of each other’s energy,” Te’o told ESPN's Eric D. Williams. “The trust factor is there. Everybody trusts him. Everybody trusts me. And we understand that we have to stuff the run up the middle in order for this defense to be successful.”

The Chargers should just entrust the future of their defense to Te'o and Perryman. Together, they held the Jaguars to 102 rushing yards -- about 20 yards less than the team's season average.

"Manti’s instinctual," safety Eric Weddle explained. "He’s more vocal, more fluid and athletic. And Denzel’s physical. He’s explosive and he’s a thumper."

Added Weddle: "Those two are going to be good if they can stay on the field."

Take it from a defender who knows. Weddle was the last Chargers defensive cornerstone; these two linebackers could be the next ones.

(h/t ESPN)