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Chargers’ Justin Herbert shares Keenan Allen’s advice to him ahead of playoff matchup vs. Jaguars

Justin Herbert received some sage advice from his star receiver ahead of his playoff debut against the Jaguars on Saturday.

As he prepares to participate in the first playoff game of his career this weekend, Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert revealed a bit of advice he got from wide receiver Keenan Allen ahead of the elimination matchup.

Speaking to reporters at Los Angeles’ media availability session on Thursday, he clarified that Allen’s words of wisdom were pretty basic.

“Just the same thing that he always says,” Herbert explained. “‘Go out there, have fun, relax and play the game.’ Keenan [Allen] has been such an incredible leader for our team and for this locker room. Guys look up to him and especially that receiver group because he has been such a great inspiration and teammate to all of those guys.”

While relaxing on the football field may seem simple enough in theory, Herbert will be plenty motivated to get his revenge after completing just 56% of his passes the first time these two teams met in Week 3 when he was a week removed from fractured rib cartilage.

In a game that could make or break the Chargers’ season, watch for him to lean on Allen’s experience in all four quarters and for Los Angeles’ offense to live or die by the connection they make when Herbert throws the ball, especially if Mike Williams can’t play.

Who are the experts predicting to win in Chargers vs. Jaguars?

Find out who national pundits are favoring in the matchup between the Los Angeles Chargers and Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Los Angeles Chargers are 2-point favorites over the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Wild Card Round. The over/under is 47.5 points, per Tipico Sportsbook.

That means oddsmakers are taking bets on whether the two teams will combine to score more than or fewer than 47.5 points.

My score prediction for the game is a 27-24 win for the Chargers, with a total of 51 points. So if I were putting money behind my prediction, I’d bet the over.

As for expert predictions, they are split, with the Jaguars slightly favored. Over at NFL Pick Watch, which compiles the list of expert picks, 51% are picking Jacksonville to win.

The showdown between the Chargers and Jaguars is arguably the most evenly matched.

Saturday’s game will begin at 5:15 p.m. PT and will be televised on NBC.

Chargers WR Mike Williams misses practice again, questionable vs. Jaguars

The Chargers could be without a key piece of their offense on Saturday night.

The Chargers had their final practice before the Wild Card round matchup with the Jaguars.

Not on the practice field for the second consecutive day was wide receiver Mike Williams. Williams is dealing with a back contusion he sustained in the regular season finale against the Broncos.

Williams is listed as questionable for Saturday’s game.

Brandon Staley said Williams will be a game-time decision, adding that he is progressing and they are prioritizing rest and treatment.

At the beginning of the week, Staley was asked if Williams could play even if he didn’t practice at all. “I think that’s fair to say,” he responded.

If Williams is ruled out or on a snap count, Joshua Palmer and DeAndre Carter would be in line to see additional playing time alongside Keenan Allen.

During the regular season, Williams caught 63 passes for 895 yards and four touchdowns in 13 games.

Keenan Allen has chance to set Chargers’ postseason receiving touchdown record vs. Jaguars

Keenan Allen could write his name into the Chargers’ record book.

With two touchdowns against the Jaguars in the Wild Card Round on Saturday night, wide receiver Keenan Allen could set the Chargers’ all-time postseason receiving touchdown record, currently at five.

Additionally, a performance with two touchdown catches would tie for the most by a Charger in a single postseason game. Allen last set it in the 2013 AFC Divisional Round against the Denver Broncos.

Injuries limited him to 10 games, but Allen still had 66 catches for 752 yards and four touchdowns. And last weekend, in the season finale game against the Broncos, Allen had eight catches for 102 yards and two touchdowns.

Jacksonville heads into this contest 30th in passing defense DVOA, which could result in Allen having a big game and potentially writing his name into the team’s record book.

Allen, who has been with the Chargers since he entered the league as a third-round pick in 2013, has been one of the most steady presences on the team’s offense for the better part of a decade and is sure to be motivated to break this record with an outstanding showing in the postseason.

4 areas where Chargers must improve going into Wild Card Round vs. Jaguars

We identified four areas where the Chargers need to improve as the playoffs get underway on Saturday.

The Chargers are hot, winning their last four of five games. However, they have to improve in certain areas to avoid being one-and-done. Which areas may be most vital in making necessary adjustments?

We identified four areas Los Angeles could improve as its postseason play kicks off on Saturday night against the Jaguars.

Chargers’ reasons for optimism vs. Jaguars in Wild Card round

Reasons why the Los Angeles Chargers will punch their ticket to the divisional round.

The Chargers will match up with the Jaguars for the second time this season, with a trip to the divisional round on the line.

After losing to Jacksonville 38-10 the first time around, Los Angeles will have to make adjustments to come away victorious.

Here are four reasons to be optimistic about LA punching its ticket to the next round.

Offensive firepower

Los Angeles may have lost to Jacksonville in Week 3, but recall the circumstances. It was the Chargers’ first complete game of managing Justin Herbert’s rib injury. They lost Joey Bosa, Rashawn Slater, and deep threat Jalen Guyton to long-term injuries mid-game. Keenan Allen did not play due to a Week 1 hamstring injury and Mike Williams had just one catch for 15 yards. Fast forward three and a half months, and things are a much different story. Rookie Jamaree Salyer has stepped in and provided stability at left tackle in Slater’s absence, a luxury not afforded to a Chargers team that used Storm Norton as his replacement in Week 3. Herbert, Allen, and Williams are all healthy. The ten points LA scored against the Jaguars in their first matchup was the lowest point total of the season for the Chargers. With everyone healthy, it should be safe to assume that Los Angeles brings more than that to the table on Saturday.

Defensive hot streak

Since squaring off against Miami, the Chargers have been lights out as a passing defense. Michael Davis has come into his own, shutting down the likes of Tyreek Hill and Courtland Sutton over his last five games. Asante Samuel Jr. has continued his solid sophomore season, while third-year safety Alohi Gilman has grown into a starting role opposite, and sometimes in place of, Derwin James Jr. Over their last three games, the Chargers have given up 160.3 passing yards per game, the seventh-best figure in the league. Their blanket coverage has also contributed to a league-best sack percentage of 14.29% in their last three contests. Jacksonville’s offense has performed all season to the tune of sixth-best in passing DVOA, and Trevor Lawrence racked up 262 yards and three passing touchdowns against the Chargers in Week 3. But that was before LA found their groove, and if they can extend the hot streak into the tournament in Lawrence’s first career playoff game, it bodes well for a Chargers victory.

Teamwide balance

Jacksonville has the edge in overall DVOA, clocking in at 13th, five spots higher than the Chargers. However, the Jaguars are buoyed by an offense that ranks 9th in DVOA, while the defense lags at 26th. For the Chargers, the offense is 19th and the defense is 16th, both more in line with the overall team ranking. At a more granular level, Jacksonville is 6th in offensive passing DVOA but 20th in rushing; the defense is 11th in rushing but 30th in passing. Those season-long trends paint a picture of a streaky team. That bears out when you look at the schedule: Jacksonville has a stretch in which they lost 6 of 7, immediately followed by a stretch in which they won 6 of 7 to end the season. In the playoffs, balance usually reigns supreme: these are the best teams in the league, and they all know how to stop you from doing what you do well. If you can pass but can’t run, or you can stop the run but not the pass, your opponent has an advantage. For LA, that advantage is there.

Championship pedigree

Brandon Staley preached veteran presence this offseason as this team prepared to make a championship run. Kyle Van Noy was signed for his hybrid role, yes, but his leadership as a two-time Super Bowl winner was just as touted by the Chargers. The since-waived Sony Michel was brought in for similar reasons before his lack of effectiveness on the field rendered him less valuable. Sebastian Joseph-Day and Morgan Fox went deep into the playoffs with Staley’s Rams in 2020 and Joseph-Day won a ring last season on the other side of LA. Even holdovers like Keenan Allen have playoff experience that they can lean on to prep younger players heading into this week. Jacksonville, on the other hand, is led by a talented squadron of younger players that don’t come prepackaged with that same experience. Trevor Lawrence and Trevor Etienne are used to playing deep into December and January as national title contenders at Clemson. Still, the NFL playoffs are usually a different animal for all but the most transcendent pros. On Saturday, it’s time for the impact that the Chargers veterans have made off the field to be felt on it.

Brandon Staley speaks on differences between Chargers, Jaguars from first meeting

Neither team looks much like they did then.

The Chargers’ matchup with the Jaguars is likely to be the favorite playoff game of the Wild Card Weekend—for many good reasons.

Los Angeles and Jacksonville are hot at the right time of the season, and both teams are led by young franchise quarterbacks in Justin Herbert and Trevor Lawrence.

The Bolts have won four of their last five games to earn the top Wild Card spot in the AFC and are in the playoffs for the first time since 2018.

The Jaguars won their last five games to earn the AFC South title and the No. 4 seed in the AFC playoff bracket. This will be Jacksonville’s first postseason appearance since 2017.

“I think our seasons are probably similar that way in that we played our best football at the end,” Brandon Staley said. “They’re a complete football team; offense, defense and special teams. What makes a team a formidable team, those elements are still there, and they’ve improved.”

The teams last met in Week 3 earlier this season, where the Jaguars defeated the Chargers in a 38-10 victory.

The game was a low point for Los Angeles. Justin Herbert was a week removed from his fractured rib cartilage. Keenan Allen did not play. In addition, the team lost Rashawn Slater, Joey Bosa and Jalen Guyton to their respective injuries.

For Jacksonville, the win was not only a confidence boost but also proof that the offense, especially Lawrence, was getting comfortable under head coach Doug Pederson’s scheme.

“They are a different team,” Staley said. “They have been through a lot since the game we played them. Their season was kind of a rollercoaster, as well. They were 2-6 at one point, and then really got hot at the end.”

The Chargers and the Jaguars are completely different squads from their matchup earlier in the regular season.

Los Angeles has found its stride in all phases, and the roster is near full strength, with Slater being the only key player still out. Jacksonville has ironed out any schematic issues. Lawrence has grown more comfortable under Pederson, and they’ve tinkered with the defensive scheme.

The postseason matchup is a testament to each team’s immense improvement throughout the season, and it should be must-see television.

Updated AFC playoff picture after wins by Chiefs, Jaguars

The final week of the 2022 regular season kicked off on Saturday, with the Chiefs and Jaguars picking up wins.

After the victory over the Raiders, Kansas City has officially clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC. Jacksonville’s win over the Titans means it is the AFC South champions and the No. 4 seed.

Updated AFC Playoff Picture entering Sunday

Chiefs (14-3) — won at Raiders, clinched No. 1 seed
Bills (12-3) — vs. Patriots
Bengals (11-4) — vs. Ravens
Jaguars (8-8) — won vs. Jaguars, clinched No. 4 seed
Chargers (10-6) — at Broncos
Ravens (10-6) — at Bengals
Patriots (8-8) — at Bills

On the bubble

Dolphins (8-8) — vs. Jets
Steelers (8-8) — vs. Browns

For the Chargers, if the Ravens lose to the Bengals at 10 am PT, they will clinch the No. 5 seed and face the Jaguars next weekend. However, if Baltimore beats Cincinnati, Los Angeles will have to beat the Broncos to clinch the fifth seed.

If the Ravens beat the Bengals and the Bolts lose to the Broncos, L.A. will be the sixth seed and take on Cincinnati in the Wild Card round.

Chargers OT Rashawn Slater suffers season-ending injury

The Chargers will be without one of their key players for the remainder of the 2022 season.

Left tackle Rashawn Slater suffered a season-ending ruptured biceps tendon in Sunday’s loss to the Jaguars, according to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero.

Slater sustained the injury in the third quarter and was replaced by Storm Norton, who allowed eight pressures on 25 pass-blocking snaps.

Slater, the No. 13 overall selection of the 2021 NFL draft, allowed only 26 pressures and four sacks while imposing will in the run game. He was also named a Pro Bowler and earned Second-Team All-Pro in his rookie season.

Chargers take accountability for loss to Jaguars, shift focus to Week 4

Brandon Staley and Drue Tranquill reflected on the Chargers’ loss to the Jaguars.

The Chargers allowed the Jaguars to end an 18-game road losing streak today. Jacksonville’s last win on the road dates back to 2019 in Oakland against the Raiders.

Linebacker Drue Tranquill described the 28-point defeat to Jacksonville as “embarrassing.”

Though Tranquill’s description of the game was filled with emotion, some context should be added to this humbling and disappointing Chargers’ loss.

For one, quarterback Justin Herbert played, despite having fractured rib cartilage. The injured Herbert was also missing his favorite offensive weapon Keenan Allen. Additionally, center Corey Linsley was absent and tackle Rashawn Slater left the game early in the second half due to a bicep injury.

In other words, Herbert and company weren’t anywhere near their full capacity and strength.

On the other side of the ball, star edge defender Joey Bosa left the game with a groin injury which opened up several opportunities for Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence to throw the football well and running back James Robinson to bust free for a 50-yard rushing touchdown.

Although the Chargers endured a tough game, Tranquill’s words reflected the team’s reluctance to make excuses following the loss.

“Just got to play better, hold ourselves accountable. That’s not our standard of play, and we know that. All of us,” Tranquill said. “We all feel it, as a competitor it stinks, but we’re thankful for the opportunity that this is Game 3.”

Head coach Brandon Staley didn’t have much to say following today’s humbling loss; however, what little he did say was poignant.

“We’re just three games into a 17-game season. That’s how the NFL is, you treat it one week at a time,” Staley said. “Sometimes games like this happen in the NFL. It’s how you respond tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day after that.”

Los Angeles will look to get back on track on the road against the Texans next Sunday at 10:00 am PT.