The Chargers are facing off against the Patriots on Sunday, Oct. 31.
There’s always bound to be some things that most people would not have forecasted.
With that being said, here are four bold predictions for Week 8’s matchup:
Keenan Allen goes off for over 150 yards
One of the biggest head-scratchers in the blowout loss to the Ravens was Allen not being targeted until late in the game, despite being open for a good portion of it. However, after the unusual quiet performance, Allen bounces back in a big way. With J.C. Jackson likely to match up against Mike Williams, Allen will draw Jalen Mills and some bracket help. Mills is allowing 11.2 yards per catch. Slowed by Stephon Gilmore a season ago, Allen goes crazy this time around.
Mac Jones is picked off more than once
Jones, the Patriots’ first-round pick, has looked improved, and he is coming off the best performance of the season against the Jets. However, he will be walking into one of the most challenging tasks against Brandon Staley’s defense, which ranks fourth in the league by allowing just 202 yards per game. The primary focal point of his scheme is stressing the quarterback post-snap, which will lead Jones to toss a few erratic passes.
Chargers allow less than 100 yards rushing
Progress. After averaging 155 rushing yards given up the last three games, the defense finally finds a way to allow double-digit yards on the ground. Even though Damien Harris is coming off back-to-back 100-yard games, the Chargers could be getting some help with the possible return of Justin Jones, who is arguably the team’s best interior defender. Furthermore, Staley said addressing the woes was more of him improving his teaching, which they had the bye week for.
QB Justin Herbert guides the Chargers to victory
After a much-needed bye week, the Chargers return with the necessary changes to the run defense, early-down play-calling, and special teams to come out of Week 8 with a win. In addition, Herbert, who put up a goose egg in the touchdown category and arguably the worst performance of his career to date a season ago against New England, gets the better of head coach Bill Belichick this time around and throws for over 300 yards and three touchdowns.