COSTA MESA, Calif. -- Some league observers questioned Los Angeles Chargers' decision-makers when the team chose to sign edge rusher Melvin Ingram to a four-year, $64 million contract extension after placing the franchise tag on him in March.
Well, early on Ingram is proving doubters wrong, as he's second in the NFL in sacks through three games with 5.5.
Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence leads the league with 6.5 sacks after totaling three in a win against the Arizona Cardinals on "Monday Night Football".
Ingram looked unstoppable in a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, finishing with a career-high three sacks, along with six combined tackles and three quarterback hits.
"He's becoming an elite pass-rusher in this league," Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn said. "It's good to see a guy go out and work hard every day, and then you see those results on the football field. Because that's the way he practiced."
Ingram has displayed good conditioning for a relentless pass-rusher, on the field for 152 of the Chargers' 187 defensive snaps (81 percent) this season.
“I wouldn't be able to do any of this without my teammates," Ingram said. "It wasn't enough. I should have had five or six (against the Chiefs). We didn't get the win, that's what it all boils down to."
With the Chargers sitting at 0-3 and still looking for their first victory, Ingram said he and his teammates have to continue to grind.
"We have to get back to the lab and we have to come together," Ingram said. "I feel like if we do that, it can be something special. We have to give it 110 percent. We have to go above and beyond to get those results -- that's how the league works."
Here are the snap counts for the Chargers in the team's Week 3 loss against the Chiefs:
OFFENSE (Based on 73 snaps)
Quarterback -- Philip Rivers 73.
Running back -- Melvin Gordon 33, Branden Oliver 33, Derek Watt 12, Austin Ekeler 6.
Wide receiver -- Tyrell Williams 71, Keenan Allen 61, Travis Benjamin 44, Dontrelle Inman 14.
Tight end -- Hunter Henry 41, Antonio Gates 40, Sean McGrath 10
Offensive line -- Russell Okung 73, Matt Slauson 73, Spencer Pulley 73, Kenny Wiggins 73, Michael Schofield 73.
Offensive analysis: Rivers has a league-worst 20.7 passer rating on third down and has completed just 50 percent of his passes. ... Henry was shut out in terms of receptions for a second time this season. ... The Chargers have given up just two sacks through three games. ... According to ESPN Stats and Information, Rivers finished 2-of-6 for 62 yards and two interceptions on passes thrown 15 or more yards downfield against the Chiefs. Rivers entered Sunday's game completing 56 percent of such throws with a touchdown and zero interceptions.
DEFENSE (Based on 53 snaps)
Line -- Ingram 45, Joey Bosa 43, Darius Philon 33, Brandon Mebane 30, Corey Liuget 20, Chris McCain 15, Damion Square 14, Tenny Palepoi 10.
Linebackers -- Jatavis Brown 53, Korey Toomer 42, Kyle Emanuel 20, Nigel Harris 5.
Secondary -- Trevor Williams 53, Tre Boston 53, Casey Hayward 53, Jahleel Addae 53, Desmond King 33, Adrian Phillips 8.
Defensive analysis -- The Chargers are giving up 139 rushing yards a contest, No. 29 in the NFL. ...The Bolts have forced just two turnovers through three games, tied for second-worst in the league. ... Brown leads the league in tackles with 36. ... Toomer's 42 defensive snaps against the Chiefs were a season-high.