Chargers aim to build on opening win, keep Panthers down

The Los Angeles Chargers were encouraged by what happened in the first game of the season, which only serves to heighten their thirst to excel even more. They'll take on the host Carolina Panthers, who are trying to ensure better days are ahead, on Sunday afternoon. The Chargers (1-0) topped the Las Vegas Raiders 22-10 in Jim Harbaugh's debut as Los Angeles' coach. That provided motivation to fix glitches and show improvement in the second week. "Nothing like winning a game but still having a lot there on the table where you can get better," Harbaugh said. The Panthers (0-1) had the most-lopsided opening-week loss with a 47-10 blowout at New Orleans. That can't be the focus, though preventing another downward slide is critical. There's no sense for Carolina to continue to dwell on the breakdowns. "Hopefully, everyone can understand the discipline that is required to be in the moment, to be present in this week," first-year coach Dave Canales said. "I have to be really cognizant of what I'm asking our team to do." The Panthers' approach is geared toward building confidence for a team likely lacking it. Rather than worry about handling adversity, Canales has put the emphasis on other areas in preparing for the Chargers. "There's so much fundamental basic stuff to clean up for this game," Canales said. "It's a trust factor. ... It starts with us combing through all of it to see if there's a way we could help more." There are several reasons that Sunday's assignment doesn't appear to be a good matchup for the Panthers. The Chargers are well-equipped at quarterback with Justin Herbert, while Carolina has questions with Bryce Young. The second-year pro had just 13 completions in the opener, while throwing two interceptions. "I think he's learning some of his (receivers)," Canales said. "We've got to keep accumulating those reps." The Chargers are bound to harass Young. Stars Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack are expected to lead that charge. "You can tell as a defense they work really well together," Young said. "Ton of respect for this and we want to focus on executing the best we can." Los Angeles was so overpowering on defense that the Raiders took only one snap in the red zone in the entire game. And for Harbaugh, the best part might be what he has seen from his team as it gets ready for the cross-country trip. He knows the focus is on improving. "The way they work," he said. "It's all about the team. It's all about the work that they put in." Meanwhile, Herbert will test Carolina's defense and should have plenty of help. J.K. Dobbins rushed for 135 yards on 10 carries in the opener. "J.K.'s performance, I loved it in all ways," Harbaugh said. Herbert had only 144 passing yards, yet he's bound to top that mark on most days. The Panthers put standout defensive tackle Derrick Brown on injured reserve with a season-ending knee injury earlier this week. Former Carolina center Bradley Bozeman plays along Los Angeles' offensive front. The Panthers have won six of seven meetings with the Chargers, who picked up their only win in the series in Charlotte in 2004. --Field Level Media