The Los Angeles Chargers have been on a winning streak and *fingers crossed* can keep it up for their next matchup. Here are five things the Chargers can do to be victorious against the Lions:
Los Angeles Chargers Vs Lions: Five Things The Chargers Must Do To Win In Week 10
1. Special Teams Momentum
The Chargers special teams unit was on another level against the Jets Monday night. Wide receiver Derius Davis turned on the jets for an 87-yard touchdown on a punt return. Cornerbacks Deane Leonard and Ja’Sir Taylor were on point regarding their punt return tackling. Kicker Cameron Dicker has 13 field goals made of 14 attempted this season. The whole unit showed up and they’re going to be needed in this next matchup to get the best field position possible.
2. Pass Rush Dominance
According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), the Chargers had their highest team pass rush grade of the season against the Jets ( 78.0%). Joey Bosa had three sacks, Tuli Tuipulotu and Khalil Mack had two, and defensive lineman Morgan Fox had one.
Mack and Bosa also created turnovers, including one where Bosa not only forced the fumble but also recovered it.
This pass rush has found its rhythm and quarterbacks better beware. When blitzed and under pressure, Jared Goff’s completion percentage is in the 50s, so the more pressure the Chargers can produce, the better. Lion’s center Frank Ragnow and their left guard Jonah Jackson are each coming back from injuries, so there’s sure to be some instability on the offensive line as they shake off the rust.
Related: Seizing The Opportunity – Chargers Unleashed Podcast
3. Get Guyton, Davis, And Johnston More Involved
On Monday night, Keenan Allen got over 10,000 receiving yards. Out of nine targets, Allen caught eight receptions and had the most receiving yards of the night. Everyone knows that Allen is fantastic, but with Joshua Palmer on injured reserve for the next few games, other receivers will have to step up and that includes Davis, Quentin Johnston, and the newly returned Jalen Guyton.
Johnston has started to show some flashes of the player they drafted these last two games. And Guyton was involved in his first game back from IR but only had two targets. With the addition of Guyton, the Chargers can have their downfield threats in both he and Johnston.
Davis’ speed can be used for more than just punt returns, so he may add a bit of that explosiveness while Palmer is out.
The next three games can’t be the “Allen Show,” as there’s enough receiver talent on the roster that it doesn’t have to be. The roles just have to be carved out and those receivers have to get more opportunities to shine.
4. Utilize Alohi Gilman Even More
There’s the usual suspects when it comes to receiver coverage like cornerback Asante Samuel Jr, Derwin James, and cornerback Michael Davis. Then, there’s safety Alohi Gilman. Brandon Staley referred to him as a “commander” in his press conference and he’s right. When Gilman is healthy, he’s making PLAYS and is in control. He had a pass breakup on wide receiver Allen Lazard during the first quarter and forced a fumble from wide receiver Garrett Wilson with James recovering it. And in the fourth quarter, he recovered a fumble, taking it all the way to the two-yard line. According to PFF, he has the highest grade of the team in receiver coverage (84.1%).
Gilman is exactly what the Chargers need to combat the high-powered receivers like Amon-Ra St. Brown and tight ends like Sam LaPorta, and I expect him to be involved a lot whenever they are on the field.
5. Defense Must Make Plays If Offense Does Not Improve
One of the reasons why some receivers may not have been targeted as much is because Justin Herbert just cannot get the ball off. He only had 136 passing yards this past game and was sacked five times.
Against the Jets, the Chargers had the second lowest pass blocking (48.6%) and run blocking (45.3%) grades of the season. There was a good block this week by tight end Gerald Everett to help Ekeler get that first rushing touchdown, but having tight ends help out in pass and run blocking doesn’t seem to be the answer to the offensive line woes.
In order to help Herbert, the defense will have to keep creating turnovers and increasing the pressure to give the offense a shot at more touchdown opportunities, especially in the second half where this team has really struggled.
Chargers Vs Lions kickoff takes place Sunday, November 12 at SoFi Stadium at 1:05 PM. Tune in on CBS.