It will be a story of two contrasting kinds on Sunday. On one aspect, there’s the Los Angeles Chargers, a staff that is shocked the league with their revamped protection. Below the management of Jim Harbaugh and Jesse Minter, the Chargers have been defending the endzone like their lives rely on it, permitting opponents to attain simply 13.1 factors per sport. The stingy protection has been the largest storyline surrounding the staff as of late.
LA is at present on a three-game profitable streak, however that can be put to the take a look at this weekend after they face Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals. Do not be fooled by the 4-6 document. The Bengals might have hassle closing out video games, nevertheless it would not change the truth that they boast one of many league’s finest offenses. Throughout their current loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati racked up a complete of 477 yards and 5 touchdowns.
It’ll be a slugfest. And for the 6-3 Chargers, getting a win right here is essential for a playoff berth. Taking a look at their schedule, issues will not get any simpler. After Sunday’s outing in opposition to the Bengals, LA can be going through the Baltimore Ravens (7-3), the Atlanta Falcons (6-4), and the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (9-0), respectively. This stretch of video games is arguably their hardest for the season, so rising victorious on Sunday would not simply be an excellent begin, however would even be a momentum builder for the approaching weeks.
For now, the main focus will purely be on Week 11. How will the Chargers carry out? To reply that, listed below are some daring predictions for Harbaugh’s squad.
The Chargers sack Joe Burrow a minimum of 3 times
One noticeable factor concerning the LA protection is the quantity of sacks tallied. They’ve already taken QBs down 31 instances — fourth-best amongst all groups in whole sacks this season. Moreover, their 31 sacks are probably the most amongst groups which have performed 9 video games to date.
The formidable outdoors rushers at Minter’s disposal are belongings that will make different defensive coordinators envious. Rising star Tuli Tuipulotu at present leads the staff with 5.5 sacks. Behind him, Bud Dupree (5.0 sacks), Khalil Mack (4.5 sacks), Morgan Fox (3.5 sacks), and Joey Bosa (3.0 sacks) have all had their fair proportion of QB takedowns. In opposition to the Tennessee Titans final weekend, the Chargers sacked Will Levis seven instances.
Whereas there’s an opportunity that Mack (groin damage) won’t play on Sunday, it will not cease the others from having one other area day. The Bengals’ O-line has allowed Joe Burrow to be sacked 23 instances already. On high of that, they’re at present depleted on the deal with spot. Following Trent Brown’s season-ending damage in Week 3, Cincinnati has been fielding rookie Amarius Mims at proper deal with. Moreover, the Bengals’ newest damage report reveals that Orlando Brown Jr. is questionable, that means that backup Cody Ford would possibly anchor the left aspect once more.
J.Okay. Dobbins rushes for at least 100 yards
With Harbaugh on the helm, the Chargers have taken on a run-centric offense, one thing that…properly…nonetheless wants a bit extra juice. LA places up 117.9 speeding yards per sport and 4.0 yards per carry, inserting them on the backside half of the league in these two classes.
Nonetheless, there have been flashes of brilliance, like when J.Okay. Dobbins ran for 135 yards in opposition to the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 1 and adopted that up with a 131-yard outing vs. the Carolina Panthers. And if there’s something that the Bengals, Raiders and Panthers have in widespread, it is that all of them wrestle in opposition to the run. Cincinnati, particularly, provides up 127.3 opponent yards per sport on the bottom.
That being stated, the Chargers will most likely maximize Dobbins and Gus Edwards on Sunday. It will not be stunning if Dobbins — who already has 670 whole speeding yards (tenth within the NFL) — reaches the 100-yard mark as soon as extra.
Justin Herbert throws two landing passes
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Justin Herbert hasn’t been passing the soccer as a lot as he did in years prior, as seen by how he is thrown simply 241 makes an attempt in 9 video games. Nevertheless, in these moments when the Chargers go for an aerial strike, their QB1 has delivered. Herbert has dedicated only one interception this season. He is additionally fifth-best amongst all QBs with a 103.2 passer score, per ESPN. In LA’s final 5 video games, Herbert has thrown for a complete of 1,311 yards, finishing round 66.7% of his passes.
Final Sunday, he went 14-of-18 for 164 yards and a landing in opposition to a Titans staff that leads the NFL in move protection (156.7 opponent passing yards allowed per sport). With that in thoughts, think about what Herbert would possibly do in opposition to the Bengals, who surrender round 220.2 passing yards every sport. A two-touchdown sport for the quarterback? It isn’t onerous to think about.
Closing ideas
It is nonetheless unsure whether or not or not the Chargers can absolutely shut down Joe Burrow and the Bengals. LA’s finest guess is to throw Burrow off with pressures and sacks. Whereas Derwin James and the secondary have been spectacular, the Chargers like to play zone protection, one thing that Burrow completely thrives in opposition to. Add in how Ja’Marr Chase — who at present leads the league in receiving yards — is coming off a three-touchdown, 264-yard outing in opposition to the Ravens. Oh, and there is Tee Higgins, who is anticipated to return from damage on Sunday.
To finish on a optimistic be aware, the best-case state of affairs for LA right here is getting a tightly-fought win with round a three-point differential at most. It will not be simple, however the Chargers’ monitor document signifies that it is doable.