The Chargers are traveling to take on the Bengals this Sunday for the 2020 season opener.
Cincinnati is coming off a year that resulted in finishing with the worst record in the NFL. But after a handful of additions, they’re eager to turn things around.
With that being said, there are a few notable players that Los Angeles will really have to make sure they’re game planned for in order to come out victorious.
Here are four players on the Bengals that the Bolts should hone in on:
RB Joe Mixon
On the offensive side of the ball, all eyes will be on rookie Joe Burrow, who takes over under center. But like any first-year player, Burrow will likely experience some rough patches. That is why he will have a security blanket, with that being Mixon.
Mixon rushed for 1,136 yards and five touchdowns last season, his second straight season with more than 1,000 rushing yards. He is one of four running backs in the NFL with at least 1,400 yards from scrimmage in each of the past two seasons.
Last season, the Chargers allowed 112.8 yards per game, which ranked No. 18 in the league. The team added some players this offseason, which include Linval Joseph, Kenneth Murray and Chris Harris Jr. to aide in the department, but they will be without star safety Derwin James.
Look for Cincinnati to use Mixon to test Los Angeles’ front seven early and often.