The Los Angeles Chargers are coming off a bye week and should be refreshed for a battle against the other home team, the Rams. Below are some things to watch for:
Can Quarterback Justin Herbert Play Interception-Free Football?
Herbert has been struggling this year, and the fact that he’s had at least one interception per game, sometimes multiple, is proof that something’s off. And if he keeps this up, at this rate he’ll have more interceptions than he had his second year in the league (15).
According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), his passing grade is last (42.1) among 35 rated quarterbacks, and even when he’s kept clean, his completion percentage is only 64.4%. He’s actually had more interceptions when kept clean than pressured.
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Maybe it’s offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel’s scheme or the fact that Herbert spent most of the offseason retooling his footwork, or maybe it’s the pass rush. Regardless of what’s causing the issues, hopefully Herbert can have at least one game this year without an interception, and maybe Week 8 will be the one.
Whether the Chargers’ Defense Will Continue to Carry The Team?
There have been a few explosive plays that the Chargers’ defense has let slip through their fingers this year, and Week 6 was no exception, with Chiefs players like running back Kenneth Walker III and Xavier Worthy in the mix. But there was a big stop on Walker on a fourth-and-goal in the third quarter, while cornerback Cam Hart already has two interceptions on the season, including one against the Chiefs, which is a career high.
In Week 3, though the Chargers lost to the Bills, the fact that it was a close game had a large amount to do with the Chargers’ defense knocking the ball out, pressuring Bills quarterback Josh Allen, and creating turnovers. The Chargers are fighting back, and the defense is a large reason their matchups have been close.
The Rams are good but are not the team they were last year when Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford won MVP. Stafford already has seven interceptions this season, when he had nine all last season, including one during the Wild Card matchup against Carolina.
The Chargers’ offense needs to do their job, but if they can only get a little bit going, hopefully the defense can pick up the slack.
If The Chargers’ Offensive Line Can Survive Rams Defensive End Aaron Donald
The pass blocking is not great this year. Herbert has been sacked multiple times every game of the season so far, while his regular season completion percentage is at a career low (59.4%).
According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), the Chargers are last in the site’s offensive line rankings. Veteran right guard Cole Strange has not been performing well, and though center Jake Slaughter has done decently, it would be helpful to have the likes of tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater in the mix for extra cushion. Though Slater is on injured reserve, Alt seems like he’ll be good to go and can add some relief to this mostly rookie offensive line and help Strange.
Though Donald hasn’t yet gotten a sack this season, knowing his history, he’s scary enough just when he’s on the field, so this offensive line is going to be tested by him and outside linebacker Byron Young.
Can The Chargers Get Their Run Game Going?
The Chargers just haven’t been able to show consistency in the run game. Despite having the most rushing touchdowns on the team, running back Omarion Hampton has yet to break triple-digit rushing yardage in a game, while the player with the second most rushing yards on the entire team is Herbert.
Running back Kimani Vidal had an impressive run of 42 yards against Denver, which led to a runaway touchdown, but the Chargers haven’t had a reliable running game since former Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins left.
The protection around Herbert has been lacking, but the run blocking should be better with players like tight end Charlie Kolar on the line. Rams players like Young, who leads the team in tackles for loss (6.5) and sacks (4.5), are going to challenge the Chargers, but perhaps a spark in the run game will be just what this team needs to take the pressure off Herbert.