The bye week couldn’t have come at a better time for the Los Angeles Chargers.
With Keenan Allen dealing with back spasms and Austin Ekeler still nursing his hamstring, Week 6 provided some time for both to rest and limit the amount of time that they will miss.
Week 7 brings about a matchup against the struggling Jacksonville Jaguars, an opportunity for the Chargers to find some success as we near the midway point of the season. Let’s take a look at some keys to Sunday’s game for LA.
3. A Healthy Keenan Allen
Ekeler will still not be returning to the field this week but Allen is expected to play, which will be huge for Justin Herbert. While he is still a limited participant in practices this week, both Allen and coach Anthony Lynn have been optimistic about his overall health and ability to be a factor on the field this week. If Allen shows that he is healthy, expect another pass-heavy game from Herbert and the Chargers.
2. Eliminate the Free Yards
The Chargers almosts came away with an upset victory over the Saints in Week 5, but they just couldn’t seal the deal in overtime. One of the reasons that they remained in the game throughout was their ability to keep the free yards to a minimum.
The Chargers ended the game with only one penalty and 10 yards to their name, an excellent sign of a disciplined team. If they can play with that same focus against the Jaguars, they should be able to get their defense off the field consistently.
1. A Strong Pass Defense
LA’s defense has been largely inconsistent this season, but they have done a good job of limiting big plays through the air. Their pass defense has allowed only 6.5 YPA and a 65.9 completion percentage, signs that they should improve as the season goes on.
Their defense was supposed to be a strength coming into the year, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that they have clicked at times. The key now will be to find some consistency to build on.
Game Details
- Jacksonville Jaguars @ LA Chargers
- Sunday, October 25th @ 1:25 PM PT on CBS
