Justin Herbert and the Chargers offense’s ability to move the ball in a big Week 2 matchup against the Chiefs will be important with Patrick Mahomes on the other side.
Here are four keys to the gameplan for the offense to be successful:
Chunk plays early
Per Timo Riske of PFF, the Chargers gained a first down on just 8% of their first down plays in Week 1, the second-lowest in the league. The lowest was the Cowboys, who were also the only team not to score a touchdown in the opening week of the season. 20% of the Chargers’ first down conversions came on third down, while 36% came on second down. The Chiefs, meanwhile, held the Cardinals offense to 3-of-12 on third down in Week 1. Arizona is a talented offense on paper, so those numbers seem to suggest Kansas City’s defense is much improved in 2022. Keeping the chains moving on early downs to stay out of those third-down situations will keep the Chargers from digging themselves a playcalling hole.
Keep the foot on the gas
Even offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi knew he got “a little conservative” late in the game against the Raiders. That lack of inspiration from a playcalling standpoint allowed the Raiders to get back in the game as LA stagnated. The Chargers’ five fourth-quarter drives ended with a punt, punt, missed field goal, punt, and victory formation. The Raiders struggled to capitalize, throwing two interceptions in the fourth quarter, but LA can’t expect that result on Thursday against Mahomes. If the Chargers are in a similar position as they were on Sunday, they must keep the pedal to the metal and win the game rather than hope their opponent loses it.
Capitalize on young players’ mistakes
It’s a youth movement on defense for Kansas City, and those efforts resulted in a visibly faster, more athletic squad in Week 1. But with young players come more mental mistakes, by and large. Especially against a linebacker trio of Willie Gay (24), Nick Bolton (22), and Leo Chenal (21), the Chargers should rely on Justin Herbert’s ability to manipulate defenders to keep the ball moving downfield. It’s a big reason why savvy veteran Keenan Allen will be missed, as he’s unlikely to play Thursday with a hamstring injury. That could lead to a bigger role for vets Austin Ekeler and Gerald Everett.
Zion Johnson, trial by fire
Kansas City will almost certainly try to get Chris Jones on an island with the rookie Johnson, who only gave up one pressure in his NFL debut last week, per PFF. Still, Johnson is far from proving he’s a stalwart at right guard, and lining Jones up across from him rather than Matt Feiler or Corey Linsley will, on paper, be the most advantageous matchup for Kansas City. We’ve seen what Herbert can do with time to throw last week, and that’s the player LA will need to keep pace with a high-powered Chiefs offense.