Tag: Chargers vs. Panthers

3 keys to victory for the Chargers in Week 3 vs. Panthers

The Los Angeles Chargers look to get back above .500.

The Los Angeles Chargers are looking to bounce back after last Sunday’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs this weekend against the Carolina Panthers.

Here are Los Angeles’ keys to victory over Carolina on Sunday:

Take advantage of suspect defense

Led by rookie quarterback Justin Herbert, the Chargers will have a favorable matchup against a Panthers defense that has allowed 32.5 points per game through the first two games of the season.

Los Angeles has established themselves as one of the better teams at running the football, averaging 169 yards per game, which ranks No. 6 in the NFL. Meanwhile, Carolina’s defense has allowed six rushing scores already.

While the offense can win solely on the ground, they will have the opportunity to exploit a young secondary.

If L.A. can create some big plays early and often with their plethora of play-makers, they should be able to control the clock the rest of the way out with handing the ball off to running backs Austin Ekeler and Joshua Kelley.

Pressure, pressure, pressure

The defensive line has been the bright spot for the Chargers, as they are second in the league in quarterback pressures. It was evident last Sunday when Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was suffocated through the first three quarters, struggling to connect with his pass-catchers.

Los Angeles needs to keep the heat turned on against QB Teddy Bridgewater. They will face a Carolina offensive line, which features former Chargers offensive linemen Russell Okung and Michael Schofield, that has allowed six sacks in the first two games of the season.

The line will be without edge defender Melvin Ingram, who was placed on the injured reserve. But they will have the ascending outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu in place of Ingram.

Limit explosive plays

The Chargers’ pass-rush has been key to their defensive success, but they’ve been victims of giving up big plays at crucial moments. Last weekend, they allowed a game-changing 54-yard touchdown to Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill.

The Panthers will be without their best offensive player, running back Christian McCaffrey, who was used religiously both in the running and passing game. However, Carolina still has a weapon that is bound to make a big play at any given moment.

Wide receiver Robby Anderson, who was signed this past offseason, has recorded back-to-back 100-yard receiving games with his new team. The Panthers also have a couple of other players that can make an impact, D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel.

Chargers injury report vs. Panthers: 3 out, 3 doubtful

The Chargers could be without Melvin Ingram this Sunday against the Panthers.

The Los Angeles Chargers released their final injury report ahead of the Week 3 battle with the Carolina Panthers.

Here is a look at the report:

OUT

Tyrod Taylor

Asmar Bilal

Justin Jones

DOUBTFUL

Justin Jackson

Melvin Ingram

Nick Vigil

QUESTIONABLE

Rayshawn Jenkins

Bryan Bulaga

Trai Turner

Ingram was a full participant the first two days of practice, but coach Anthony Lynn said that it got worse from Thursday to Friday. If he’s unable to play, Uchenna Nwosu should see an uptick in playing time.

With Bilal out and Vigil doubtful, Lynn said that the team will decide between Malik Jefferson and Cole Christiansen on who gets the call up from the practice squad.

Lynn said that Turner, who is dealing with a groin injury, should be ready to go for this Sunday. There wasn’t any new updates on Bulaga, who left last Sunday’s game. If for whatever reason he isn’t good to go, Trey Pipkins will get the start at right tackle.

Who are the experts taking in Chargers vs. Panthers?

The majority believe the Los Angeles Chargers will pick up their second win of the season.

The Los Angeles Chargers are considered 6.5-point favorites to the Carolina Panthers in Week 3 of the 2020 regular season. The over/under is set at 43.5 points, per BetMGM.

That means oddsmakers are taking bets on whether the two teams will combine to score more than or fewer than 43.5 points.

Our score prediction for the game is a 24-14 win for the Bolts, with a combined total of 38 points. So if we were putting money behind our prediction, we’d bet the under.

As for game picks, analysts are leaning with Los Angeles to come out with the win.

Expert Pick
Nate Davis (USA Today) Chargers
Mike Jones (USA Today) Chargers
Mike Clay (ESPN) Chargers
Sporting News Chargers
Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) Panthers
Jared Dubin (CBS Sports) Chargers
Frank Schwab (Yahoo Sports) Panthers
Bleacher Report Panthers

Sunday’s game will begin at 1:05 p.m. PT and will be televised on CBS.

Pounding the rock can lead to Week 3 victory for Chargers

The Chargers have had a lot of success on the ground through the first two games of the season.

The Chargers have ran the ball more than they have compared to recent seasons.

The tandem of running backs Austin Ekeler and rookie Joshua Kelley has thrived in the first two weeks of the season, averaging 169 yards per game, which ranks sixth in the NFL.

Ekeler has touched the football 30 times for 235 yards while Kelley has touched the ball 37 times for 173 yards and one touchdown.

Going into their Week 3 matchup with the Panthers, Los Angeles has the opportunity to pick up the win by relying on the ground game.

Carolina allowed 93 yards and three touchdowns to Raiders running back Josh Jacobs and 103 yards and two scores to Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette.

The Panthers defense has allowed six touchdowns so far in two games this season.

After seeing how well rookie quarterback Justin Herbert played and knowing that Carolina doesn’t have that talented of a secondary, the Chargers could resort to the air.

But the team could get on the board early and often with a balanced approach, and force the Panthers to slow L.A. from running the clock out.

If you’re fantasy owners of either Ekeler and/or Kelley, they’re must starts this weekend.

What the Panthers are saying about Chargers QB Justin Herbert

Panthers coaches and a player had high praise for Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert.

It’s official.

Chargers rookie quarterback Justin Herbert will make his second straight start this Sunday against the Panthers. It was announced that Herbert would start after Tyrod Taylor was ruled out “indefinitely.”

Herbert’s surprise start raised some eyebrows, as the first-round pick passed for 311 yards and two total touchdowns in the overtime loss to the Chiefs last Sunday.

After seeing his performance against the defending Super Bowl champions, Carolina knows not to take Herbert lightly this weekend.

Coach Matt Rhule called Herbert “a special young talent.”

“Justin is a really, really smart guy just from the draft process, has a great arm, can run 4.5, he’s a great athlete, big powerful guy. You watch him in his first start and he goes and plays at a really high level so he’s a special young talent and is a person I have a lot of respect for.”

Taken one pick after Los Angeles, rookie defensive tackle Derrick Brown reiterated what Rhule said, calling Herbert “a very talented guy.”

Brown’s familiar with Herbert because their two former programs, Auburn and Oregon, played each other last year.

What might the Panthers’ defensive game plan look like? Putting the pressure on Herbert.

Defensive coordinator Phil Snow, who said the team was considering drafting Herbert in the 2020 NFL Draft, said that the Chiefs did not blitz him hardly at all last weekend.

“A lot of people don’t blitz this team and they’ve had some issues when they do blitz. They have a lot of screens that can bother you. You look at Kansas City last week, Herbert is in there and they blitzed hardly at all and normally they pressure. Each week is a little different in your approach in when you blitz, so we’ll have to see what their game plan is,” Snow said.

5 key things to know about Chargers’ Week 3 battle with Panthers

What to know heading into the Los Angeles Chargers’ Week 3 matchup with the Carolina Panthers.

The Chargers will be meeting with the Panthers this Sunday in Week 3 of the 2020 regular season.

Los Angeles is looking to get back to a winning record while Carolina is searching for their first win.

Here are five things to know about this weekend’s contest:

Missing best player

The Panthers will be without a player that would’ve likely been a large factor of the matchup. Running back Christian McCaffrey was placed on the injured reserve after suffering a high-ankle sprain in last Sunday’s loss to the Buccaneers. McCaffrey is not only one of the league’s best running backs, but one of the best receivers. The offense revolved around him, and now they will have to go on without him for the next month or so. Carolina will now rely on Mike Davis to fill the void.

Robby is on the rise

With the Panthers missing McCaffrey, quarterback Teddy Bridgewater will look to his other favorite weapon, wide receiver Robby Anderson. Anderson, who was acquired this past offseason, is fourth in the NFL with 223 receiving yards through two weeks. Meanwhile, Bridgewater is fourth in the NFL with 636 passing yards.

Herbert will start

Rookie quarterback Justin Herbert will make his second straight start. This comes after team doctors advised Tyrod Taylor not to play indefinitely due to his punctured lung. In his professional debut, Herbert threw for 311 yards and recorded two total touchdowns and one interception in Sunday’s loss to the Chiefs.

Facing familiar faces

The Panthers boast three players that used to suit up in the blue and gold, offensive tackle Russell Okung, safety Tre Boston and guard Michael Schofield, as well as offensive line coach Pat Meyers. Okung, who was a part of the deal to acquire guard Trai Turner, is the starting left tackle. He was inactive in Week 1, but he started the following week. Boston is the starting free safety. He has amassed 10 total tackles and a forced fumble. Schofield has started two games at left guard.

Struggling to get to the quarterback

This matchup may be in favor of the Chargers’ quarterback and running backs as the Panthers are the only defense in the league to not post a sack in the first two games. They have only posted one quarterback hit, as well. Their run defense ranks below average, giving up 127.5 yards per game.

Chargers open as favorites over Panthers in Week 3

The Los Angeles Chargers are seen as favorites heading into their Week 3 battle with the Carolina Panthers.

The Los Angeles Chargers (1-1) are looking to get back on track after suffering defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs (2-0) last Sunday.

Going into this weekend’s contest, the Chargers are 6.5-point favorites over the Carolina Panthers (0-2) in Week 3 of the 2020 regular season, per BetMGM.

Rookie quarterback Justin Herbert got the surprise start in Week 2, taking the defending Super Bowl champions to overtime. Unfortunately, they were unable to prevail, falling to the Chiefs by the score of 23-20.

Meanwhile, the Panthers dropped their second straight contest after the Buccaneers’ defense was too much for quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and company, forcing Carolina into four turnovers in their 31-17 loss.

Sunday’s matchup will begin at 1:05 p.m. PT and will be televised on CBS.

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