4 key things to know about Chargers vs. Jaguars

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez lays out four things to know about the Chargers opponent, the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Los Angeles Chargers (4-8) are set to travel to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars (4-8) this Sunday, Dec. 9.

Here are four key things to know about the Week 14 bout.

Quarterback carousel

The Bolts will face rookie Gardner Minshew this weekend. Nick Foles, who signed a big contract last offseason, broke his clavicle in the season opener, which left the Jags no choice but to put the former Washington State product in while Foles was on the injured reserve.

After tossing 11 touchdowns and three interceptions, Jacksonville resorted back to Foles as the team’s starter once he became healthy. In the four games back with him under center, their offense became stagnant, with the majority of their points coming in garbage time.

Their offensive problems led them to making the decision to go back to Minshew as the starter to add the much-needed spark. Despite the solid numbers posted, the rookie has flaws. Minshew has lost a league-high seven fumbles due to him holding onto the football for a long period of time, scrambling and getting hit.

Former LSU stars carrying the offense

After struggling to run the football last season, this has become a strong suit of the offense. Running back Leonard Fournette has 989 rushing yards and three touchdowns, as well as 65 receptions for 444 yards.

Meanwhile, his former roommate at LSU has brought firepower to a thin receiving group. Wide receiver DJ Chark has posted 58 catches for 881 yards and eight touchdowns on the season.

Can get after the quarterback

It wasn’t long ago when the Jaguars had one of the best defenses in the league, but that has taken a toll, especially after the loss of cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who is now playing for the Rams.

But Jacksonville still has its strengths on that side of the ball, and that is rushing the passer. The team currently has 38 sacks on the season, which is sixth-best in the NFL. The Jaguars’ first-round pick of the 2019 NFL draft, Josh Allen, has provided a huge boost to the unit. Allen has nine sacks, which is a franchise record.

Can’t stop the run

If the Chargers want to win this game on the offensive side, they need to run the ball with running back Melvin Gordon. The Jaguars only allowed 74 rushing yards last weekend to the Buccaneers, but prior to that matchup, they allowed 200 or more yards rushing in three consecutive outings.

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