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Los Angeles Chargers News: 4 Bold Predictions, Including HUGE J.K. Dobbins Projection
By Breven Honda,
5 hours ago
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The Los Angeles Chargers are making the first of five trips to the Eastern time zone this week when they battle the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.
This will be part of a two-week trip where Los Angeles will remain on the East Coast when the Chargers face the Steelers in Pittsburgh the following week.
The Chargers are coming off a 22-10 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders to begin the season. Running back J.K. Dobbins led the way offensively with 135 rushing yards and a touchdown on 10 carries.
Now it is on to Week 2 as the Bolts get set to take of the Panthers, who lost at New Orleans 47-10 last week.
Here are four bold predictions that we could see play out.
Los Angeles Chargers Defense Leads The Way
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
With the way New Orleans played last week, the Chargers have the opportunity to control the game with their defense. Carolina lost a fumble and quarterback Bryce Young threw two interceptions, including one on its first offensive play. In addition, the Panthers were sacked four times compared to the Saints’ one.
The Saints led 30-0 until Carolina made a field goal to end the first half.
As a result, this is a prime opportunity for the Chargers defense to have success and go 2-0 before another road matchup in Pittsburgh. Whether it is Khalil Mack or Joey Bosa on the EDGE or Asante Samuel Jr. or Derwin James in the secondary, the Chargers have a chance to take advantage of the young Carolina offense, led by the second-year quarterback in Young.
Tuli Tuipulotu could also have an impact if Bosa cannot play due to a back injury. Bosa was limited during Wednesday’s practice and was absent on Thursday’s injury report .
The Chargers can replicate their Week 1 performance on the other side of the country and cash in on turnovers.
This is a prime opportunity for the Chargers to find the offense in all three ways. The Saints scored five touchdowns last week against Carolina. They also added four field goals, including the shortest at 39 yards.
That is nine scoring drives New Orleans had on 11 possessions. It is an opportunity that quarterback Justin Herbert and the offense can rely upon on Sunday.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh said the biggest progress players make during an NFL season is between Week 1 and Week 2. The Chargers, as a whole, are in the midst of that looking to stack what they did last week against Las Vegas.
“Over the course of the season, this is the one week where you have the chance to make the most amount of progress because you’ve already done it,” Harbaugh said Wednesday to the media . “You know what you did good, where you can improve on, and you go and attack those. See how that works, then go, ‘Hey, I like this. Not this. Then do again.’”
For the offense specifically, this is the week they can build off what they did a week ago and take the next step, especially in the passing game.
Bolts quarterback Justin Herbert completed 17-of-26 passes for 144 yards and a touchdown.
The game script was similar to last year’s 27-6 victory against the New York Jets when Herbert completed 16-of-30 passes for 136 yards and no touchdowns. Like last year against the Jets, the defense and the running game took the pressure off Herbert, leading to a Chargers win.
It will be a bit of a challenge as well for Herbert because Carolina allowed the third-fewest passing yards in a game last year. However, the 2020 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year has the chance to find some rhythm with his receivers, whether it is Quentin Johnston, Ladd McConkey, or Josh Palmer.
Last week, the Chargers went 2-for-4 in red zone opportunities and can improve on that rate this week.
Last week was a memorable game for Dobbins, who suffered a torn Achilles tendon last year in Week 1.
His 13.5 yards per carry led the NFL last week en route to being named the FedEx Ground Player of the Week. Dobbins scored the first touchdown of the season, and his 61-yard rush led to another touchdown.
The 25-year-old’s impact last week was pivotal, especially when the passing game was not where the running game was.
Looking at this Week 2 matchup against Carolina, Dobbins, along with Gus Edwards, has the opportunity to continue what they did, especially if the passing game is not quite on point yet.
A week ago, Saints running back Alvin Kamara had 15 carries for 83 yards and a touchdown. Jamaal Williams added 11 carries for 38 yards and a TD. That is 26 carries for 121 yards and two touchdowns.
That is easily something that Dobbins could get individually or even with Edwards on Sunday if not more.
Against the Raiders, rookie right tackle Joe Alt showed that he can block anybody, no matter the caliber. He did not allow a top 10 player in the NFL Top 100 in Maxx Crosby to a single pressure in 19 pass-blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus .
And that was his first NFL game.
“I thought it was an outstanding debut,” Chargers offensive coordinator Greg Roman said of Alt on Thursday . “He was going against some really good players, and I thought he handled it well. Definitely things to clean up, he knows it and he will. But a great learning experience. Just so excited for him and his upward learning trend.”
Now, Alt and the Chargers face off against a depleted Panthers D-Line that is without defensive tackle Derrick Brown, who went on injured reserve. Brown has played every game the last two seasons and will now be a void in the middle of the Panthers line.
As a result, the Chargers have the opportunity to take advantage and have a solid week. It is not only preventing sacks, but it is also keeping quarterback Justin Herbert on his feet if he needs to scramble out of the pocket. It is making sure the running lanes and the gaps are open for Dobbins and Edwards.
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