Keys to a Chargers’ victory over Patriots in Week 8

Highlighting what the Los Angeles Chargers must do in order to capture a victory over the New England Patriots.

The Chargers are set to face off against the Patriots on Sunday afternoon, looking to get back on track after being blown out by the Ravens.

There are a few key things that Los Angeles will need to do to secure a victory in Week 8.

First and foremost, the Chargers need to start being more efficient on early downs by putting quarterback Justin Herbert in more manageable situations, which means playing to his strengths and pushing the ball beyond the sticks. The Patriots will draw up something similar to last year when they limited Herbert to the worst performance of his career, which consisted of stunts/twists and disguised coverages. Therefore, offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi must be on his A-game. More quick passes, play-action, designed rollouts, and extra protection are essential to mitigate it.

Defensively, Los Angeles needs to slow New England’s running game that will heavily feature Damien Harris, who’s been one of the more efficient backs in this league. When facing the ground game, physicality is needed at the point of attack to avoid holes from being opened up. Getting Justin Jones back will be crucial to aiding it. Jones has been out since the season opener. Furthermore, missed tackles at the second level can’t occur. Doing so will force the Patriots into passing situations, and Los Angeles is one of the best at defending it, especially against a quarterback Mac Jones, who, while improving, is still prone to rookie mistakes.

On special teams, the latest addition of return specialist Andre Roberts is vital to shorten the field for Herbert and company. Additionally, the other pickup, Dustin Hopkins, must pick up the slack left by Tristan Vizcaino and make all of his field goals and extra points. Most importantly, the coverage units must be physical and technically sound to avoid a repeat of last year when returner Gunner Olszewski ran wild.

6 Patriots who pose biggest threat to Chargers

Highlighting a few New England Patriots players who could make it difficult for the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Los Angeles Chargers take on the New England Patriots this Sunday at 1:05 p.m. PT.

Here are a few Patriots players who the Bolts must hone in on to increase their chances of coming out victorious.

RB Damien Harris

The Patriots know that the Chargers are susceptible against the run, which is why you can expect them to unleash Harris early and often. Harris has the eighth-most rushing yards (437), third-most rushing touchdowns (five), and already has three 100-yard games in the first seven games of the season, which is second-most in the NFL. Furthermore, bringing Harris down won’t be an easy task, as he is seventh in both rushing yards after contact (311) and forced missed tackles (20), per Pro Football Focus.

TE Hunter Henry

Henry returns to Los Angeles to face his former team on a bit of a hot streak. Quarterback Mac Jones has begun favoring Henry in the red zone, and the numbers show. He has hauled in a touchdown catch in each of the last four Patriots games. The Chargers, on the other hand, have allowed five touchdowns to tight ends this season.

EDGE Matthew Judon

The Chargers have seen a fair share of some of the league’s most premier pass rushers up to this point, and now they are set to face one who has continually gone under the radar. Judon, the sixth-year player, is just as good at defending the run as he is at applying pressure to signal-callers. He is sixth in the league with 20 combined quarterback hits and tackles for loss. Furthermore, he has 29 quarterback disruptions.

S Adrian Phillips

Henry is not the only former Chargers player who is having some success on their new team. Like in the blue and gold days, Phillips has played and thrived in an assortment of roles. In two seasons, Phillips has logged three interceptions, 143 tackles and his first career sack. This season, he has been sticky in coverage, allowing a passer rating of just 37.2.

DT Christian Barmore

For the second straight game week, there’s been a rookie listed among the crop. First, it was Ravens edge defender Odafe Oweh. Now, Barmore, the 6-foot-5 and 311-pound interior defensive lineman. The second-round pick has steadily established himself as one of the most disruptive players among the team’s front seven. With an explosive first step and power, Barmore has registered 17 quarterback disruptions so far while drawing a handful of penalties.

Returner Gunner Olszewski

If you remember the Patriots’ shutout win over the Chargers last season, you likely recall Olszewski’s punt return for a touchdown. But, of course, this happened when the special teams department was a dumpster fire, and while the coverage units are improved from then, it’s still a ways from being counted on as reliable. This season, Olszewski is averaging 11.1 yards per punt return and 23.3 yards per kick return.

Patriots HC Bill Belichick speaks on facing son of former player

Bill Belichick speaks on facing CB Asante Samuel Jr., son of former player

The Chargers secondary is talented yet young, and one player, in particular, shows how time indeed does fly.

Rookie cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. is the son of former Pro Bowler Asante Samuel Sr., who Patriots’ Bill Belichick coached nearly two decades ago.

Belichick shared his thoughts on facing the son of one of his former players: “It makes me feel old,” he said.

On the field, Samuel resembles his father’s confidence and ball skills, and it shows as he has two interceptions, five passes defended, and 15 tackles. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound rookie was drafted in the second round and many doubted his capabilities because of his smaller frame.

Nevertheless, after receiving Rookie of the Month in September, the 21-year-old is establishing a name for himself in the NFL. After earning the accolade, Samuel became the youngest Chargers cornerback to pick off a pass in the last 25 seasons.

The success of the rookie is reminiscent of his father, who also had a prosperous career. Drafted in 2003, Samuel Sr. played 11 seasons in the NFL and collected 51 interceptions throughout his time in the league. Additionally, he recorded 439 tackles and 164 pass defenses.

Along with the Patriots, Samuel Sr. played for the Philadelphia Eagles and Atlanta Falcons.

How ex-Chargers TE Hunter Henry is faring with Patriots

Checking in the former Chargers tight end.

Among the Chargers’ most notable departures this past offseason was tight end Hunter Henry, who signed a multi-year deal with the Patriots.

Injuries derailed Henry while wearing the blue and gold, but he was still one of the more productive players at his position, finishing with 196 receptions for 2,322 yards and 21 touchdowns over the course of five seasons.

Now, he has carried that type of talent over to New England while rocking No. 85 to pay homage to Antonio Gates.

Playing 72% of the offensive snaps, Henry has caught a touchdown pass in each of the past four games to go with 24 receptions for 264 yards.

Henry has steadily built a solid rapport with rookie quarterback Mac Jones, leaning on him in the red zone.

What does not show up on the stat sheet is Henry’s hard work as a blocker and on special teams, two other things that he brought value to when he was with Los Angeles.

“Hunter has been really good in a lot of ways. He’s a smart player,” head coach Bill Belichick said. “He’s helped us in a lot of ways: running game, passing game, kickoff returns. He’s a good, smart, tough, dependable player.”

Henry will meet his former team this Sunday at 1:05 pm PT.

Keys to a Chargers’ victory over Patriots in Week 13

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez lays out how Los Angeles can defeat New England on Sunday.

The Chargers are set to face off against the Patriots on Sunday. There are a few things that Los Angeles will need to do in order to a secure a victory.

Offensively, L.A. needs to utilize quick passes and play-action in the passing game. The Patriots are getting after quarterbacks at a very fast rate but are also letting up a large amount of yards after the catch. Running Austin Ekelercould be in store for big production in the passing game due to how valuable he is in the short areas of the field. Wide receiver Keenan Allen and tight end Hunter Henry could be due for a big game, as well.

New England has 12 players questionable, including cornerback J.C. Jackson, safety Kyle Dugger and linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley. If they’re out, that would be beneficial to quarterback Justin Herbert and company.

Defensively, Los Angeles needs to stop New England’s multi-pronged running game and force quarterback Cam Newton into passing situations. Led by edge defender Joey Bosa, who had three sacks last weekend, the pressure needs to be turned on. If the Patriots resort to the ground game, push is needed up front to clog up holes. Missed tackles can’t occur, especially with Newton, who is particularly deadly in the red zone and in short-yardage situations. A quarterback spy will also be necessary to have.

On special teams, an area they rank dead last in the NFL, L.A. has to stay disciplined and can’t afford costly penalties and they need to swarm to the football to prevent big gains from occurring. Most importantly, coach Anthony Lynn needs to put together a solid game plan or else Bill Belichick will counter.

3 key things to know about Chargers’ Week 13 opponent, Patriots

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez previews the New England Patriots.

The Chargers are looking to show some life after suffering their eighth loss, as they’re set to go to battle against the Patriots this Sunday.

Here are three things to know about Los Angeles’ Week 13 opponent:

Checking in on Cam

The Patriots acquired quarterback Cam Newton before the start of the season, eventually being named the starter. It’s been an up and down season for Newton, who is 5-5 as the successor to QB Tom Brady. While he has thrived at running the football, carrying the football 92 times for 387 yards and nine touchdowns, Newton has struggled as a passer. The former No. 1 overall selection has nine interceptions, three fumbles, has taken 18 sacks and has only thrown four touchdown passes. His struggles could be due to the lingering effects from his shoulder injury or simply confident issues. But New England has tailored their offense around him, resorting to a run-heavy approach.

Running wild

Like I mentioned, the Patriots have shifted to a run-heavy offense and the team is thriving on the ground. New England is fifth in the NFL, averaging 149.6 yards per game. RB Damien Harris serves as the team’s early down option, James White has the change-of-pace role while Newton is deadly in the red zone and short yardage situations. RB Sony Michel, who’s been out since Week 3 should also be back in the mix.

How’s their defense?

The Patriots have produced a mixed bag of results. After getting owned by Texans QB Deshaun Watson, the defense held Cardinals QB Kyler Murray last weekend to one of his worst offensive outputs of the season, limiting him to less than 200 passing yards and only 31 yards rushing. Their pass defense, which features a strong secondary, including former Chargers safety Adrian Phillips, is No. 14 in the NFL, allowing 229.2 yards per game while their run defense is No. 21, allowing 123.3 YPG. New England has only gotten to the quarterback 11 times this season.