Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
Find out if Khalil Mack will play on Sunday night.
The Chargers are about 90 minutes away from kicking off Week 11 against the Bengals.
Here is a look at their inactive players today:
WR DJ Chark
TE Hayden Hurst
RB Kimani Vidal
OL Brenden Jaimes
OL Jordan McFadden
QB Easton Stick (emergency 3rd)
Sunday Night Football will be in Los Angeles for the Chargers-Bengals in Week 11, a huge matchup for AFC playoff implications.
We’ve got a huge matchup in Los Angeles that will have major implications on the AFC playoff picture. The Chargers are coming off three consecutive victories, and at this point, Jim Harbaugh’s unit seems destined for the postseason.
On the flip side, the Bengals fell to 4-6 last week and have hung on for dear life in the playoff picture. Here are some bold predictions for this week’s contest.
Quarterbacks combine for 550+ passing yards
The quarterbacks in this matchup, Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert, have been playing unbelievable football recently. Each of them is undoubtedly a top-10 quarterback in the NFL. Herbert has looked fully healthy since the team’s bye week and has been the main reason for their recent winning streak. Burrow is playing at an MVP level, as he’s the league leader in passing yards and tied for the most touchdown passes.
Joshua Palmer hauls in catch of 40+ yards
The Bengals’ pass defense is exceptionally vulnerable, allowing the 10th-most yards through the air in 2024. In particular, the Chargers offense should be able to target Cam Taylor-Britt on the outside. The Bengals cornerback has allowed 37 receptions this season, the 11th-most in the league. A guy like Palmer should be able to take advantage of this and connect on a deep ball with Herbert. Palmer has just one touchdown the season but has six straight games with a catch of at least 24 yards.
Gus Edwards scores first TD as Charger
After 13 rushing touchdowns in 2023, Edwards has still yet to find the endzone as a Charger in 2024. There may not be a better opportunity than this weekend, as the Bengals have allowed 13 rushing TDs this season. That’s tied for fifth most in the NFL, and Edwards reclaimed the backup running back role last weekend.
It was another dominant team effort from the Chargers in Week 10, which included seven sacks from the defense.
Folks, the Los Angeles Chargers are hot. The team has now won three straight and four of their last five after their victory over the Titans in Week 10.
Jim Harbaugh has been persistent about the fact that it’s been a total team effort, and that couldn’t be more true. Here are five players who were key to the team’s 27-17 victory over the lowly Titans this past Sunday.
WR Derius Davis
Davis provided an impact all over the field on Sunday. After the Titans cut to 13-10 early in the third quarter, Davis had a 56-yard kick return into Titans territory. It set the offense up with prime field position, and they were able to capitalize with a touchdown to take a 10-point lead. Davis added a 16-yard catch and seven-yard run to a busy, effective day for him.
OG Zion Johnson
The Chargers have improved their offensive line play in 2024, and Johnson has been a big reason for that. The offense finished with 145 rushing yards, and quarterback Justin Herbert wasn’t sacked once. In a season that has provided many bright spots, Johnson’s progression has been crucial to the offensive line’s success.
RB Gus Edwards
For awhile, it seemed that Edwards had lost his backup job to Kimani Vidal. He missed over a month due to injury and was largely ineffective when he was active this season. Vidal wasn’t effective in the team’s last few games, which led to him being a healthy inactive against the Titans. On Sunday, Edwards was the team’s most efficient ball carrier. He finished with 55 rushing yards on ten carries, over two yards per carry better than starter J.K. Dobbins.
LB Daiyan Henley
Henley was all over the field on Sunday. He had his ups and downs in 2024 but was solid against the Titans. Henley finished the day with 10 total tackles and his first sack of the season. The Chargers’ defense continues to be much improved this season, and the linebacker play has been a big reason for that.
EDGE Bud Dupree
The Chargers’ backup edge rushers have stepped up in a huge way recently. This week, Dupree broke out with two sacks and a forced fumble. The defense finished the day with seven sacks, which included two more from Tuli Tuipolotu. The defensive front continues to wreak havoc, and Dupree was the most significant contributor.
The Chargers will be without one of their starting cornerbacks. Six players are questionable.
The Chargers had their final practice on Friday in preparation for the Week 10 game against the Titans.
Los Angeles will likely be without cornerback Kristian Fulton for the second consecutive week. Fulton is doubtful with a hamstring injury, which he sustained in the Week 8 win over the Saints.
Edge defender Khalil Mack (groin), guard Trey Pipkins (ankle), linebacker Denzel Perryman (toe), edge defender Joey Bosa (hip), tight end Stone Smartt (ankle) and running back Gus Edwards (ankle) are questionable.
The Chargers designated Edwards for return from injured reserve this past Wednesday. He hasn’t played since before the Chargers’ Week 5 bye.
There were little expectations for the Chargers heading into 2024. After a 2-2 start, there is room for optimism for a possible playoff run.
It’s hard to believe we are already over a quarter of the way through the 2024 NFL season. Just like that, the Chargers are 2-2 and have already had their bye week.
The start to the season has come with mixed results, which has included some pleasant surprises and unfortunate disappointments. Through four games, here are some of the team’s studs and duds in 2024 so far.
Stud: Khalil Mack
Just a few years ago, some pondered if Mack’s best days were already behind him. Well, he responded with a career-high 17 sacks in 2023, his second year with the Chargers. Four games into the 2024 season, and he’s been elite once again. The 33-year-old has 2.5 sacks, four quarterback hits, two pass deflections, and a fumble recovery. He’s been elite in defending the run and seems to be well on his way to his ninth career Pro Bowl appearance.
Dud: Bradley Bozeman
Center was a major area of need this past offseason. The team decided to sign veteran Bradley Bozeman, who had 77 career starts under his belt entering 2024. Unfortunately, he’s been one of the worst centers in football so far. Bozeman has been particularly bad in pass blocking, and it may be sooner rather than later before the Chargers try someone else at the position.
Stud: Kristian Fulton
We’ve talked endlessly about Fulton on his site, so it’s only right that he finds his way with the studs of the 2024 season. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the fifth-best cornerback in the NFL so far this season. Fulton signed a one-year deal worth just over $3 million and it looks to be one of the best value deals of the offseason. If he can keep this up, look for him to get a nice contract next offseason.
Dud: Gus Edwards
Edwards tallied a career-high 13 rushing touchdowns in 2023, which was tied-for-fifth in the NFL. He’s yet to reach the endzone as a Charger and in turn, he’s seemingly lost the job to J.K. Dobbins. After splitting duties with Dobbins in the first two weeks, Edwards has registered a total of just nine carries over the last two games. The veteran has averaged 3.0 yards per carry and hasn’t added anything in the pass game either.
Stud: Rashawn Slater
Rookie Joe Alt has gotten a lot of attention, and rightfully so. With that being said, Slater continues to be prove himself as one of the best tackles in all of football. He’s been elite throughout his four-year career, and the Chargers have a phenomenal foundation along the offensive line between Slater, Alt, and Zion Johnson. Slater did miss the team’s Week 4 game against the Chiefs, but he was great in each of the first three weeks. The former Northwestern product should make it to his second career Pro Bowl if he continues to play at this level.
Dud: Hayden Hurst
I wrote about the lack of production from the tight end position just over a week ago. Hayden Hurst has registered six catches for 59 yards while his counterpart Will Dissly has looked noticeably better. Perhaps more importantly, Hurst has not been awfully poor as a run blocker. With the way things are trending at the moment, tight end will be a major area of need for the Chargers next offseason.
The Chargers’ Week 3 matchup should be an old-school slugfest. With a low-scoring affair expected, the player prop bets are set quite low.
Week 3’s matchup between the Steelers and Chargers won’t be the most pleasing watch. The Bolts are currently 1.5-point underdogs as they travel to Pittsburgh to play at Acrisure Stadium.
The Over/Under for Sunday’s game is set at 35.5, so it’s no secret that this is expected to be a defensive battle. With that, the player props on the offensive side of the ball are quite low.
Here are some values that make some sense this weekend in the Steelers-Chargers matchup.
All odds are courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook.
Ladd McConkey O36.5 receiving yards (-110)
Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. has been stellar in the first two weeks. As a result, McConkey should be a direct beneficiary in Week 3 given that he spends most of his time in the slot. It may be a slower day for the Chargers’ wideouts on the outside, so the rookie should have a big role. In his first two games, he’s caught seven of 11 targets for 65 yards and a touchdown.
J.K. Dobbins O49.5 rushing yards (-120)
Dobbins won’t continue to average 9.9 yards per carry, but this number is awfully low after he racked up over 130 yards in each of the first two games. This matchup is a little bit tougher, as the Steelers are tied-for-fourth in run defense through two weeks. Historically though, Dobbins has thrived against Pittsburgh. In three games against them, he’s racked up 326 rushing yards on 47 carries (6.9 yards per carry) in addition to a touchdown. Dobbins has finished with no less than 93 yards in his meetings against the Steelers, so he knows the blueprint on how to get past this defense.
George Pickens/J.K. Dobbins total combined TDs O0.5 (-125)
This one brings in the Steelers, but it feels like a relatively good value. Pickens feels due for a touchdown, as he has yet to score after having five of them in 2023. Dobbins has scored in each of the first two games and there’s no reason to think he can’t do so again in Week 3. His big play upside has been on full display as he’s finally fully healthy. Although Gus Edwards figures to be the short yardage back, Dobbins should get more and more snaps if he continues to produce.
The Baltimore Ravens can use the strategy of Los Angeles Chargers OC Greg Roman to attack the Las Vegas Raiders defense in week 2.
In week 2, the Baltimore Ravens can use the strategy of Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Greg Roman to attack the Las Vegas Raiders defense.
No one deserves this more than J.K. Dobbins man pic.twitter.com/O7KDdrxF5w
— RAMEY (@HoodieRamey) September 8, 2024
Last weekend, the Raiders surrendered 176 total rushing yards to the Chargers, who relied on running backs Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins. Roman, Edwards, and Dobbins were all formerly with the Ravens and worked as key components in bringing quarterback Lamar Jackson’s potential to fruition.
Unlike Roman, Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken prefers to throw the football, and his 41 pass play installment did not pan out against the Kansas City Chiefs in week 1. The Ravens have proven in recent history to be a prolific team when they commit to running the ball but often defer to the passing attack.
After parting ways with Roman, the Ravens had their best offensive season in a long time in 2023. However, unlike the Chargers, the Ravens have begun the 2024 regular season in the loss column, and they cannot afford an upset in week 2.
We can’t wait to be back at the Bank❗
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 12, 2024
Be in your seats by 12:40 p.m. as we honor Jacoby Jones and Joe D’Alessandris 💜 pic.twitter.com/WTjFVfEbwB
Keep an eye on these matchups as they could be the key to who wins this game.
With most season openers, there’s a lot of mystery. Each season brings new breakout players and new challenges. While some players just remain a force to be reckoned with.
Both teams have players who fall into the category of dominance. And in some cases, those players will be going up against players who still have something to prove. Those matchups could be the deciding factor in Sunday’s season opener in Los Angeles between the Raiders and Chargers.
DE Maxx Crosby vs T Joe Alt
Alt is the Chargers’ top rookie this year. They selected him with the fifth overall pick in April’s draft. And right away he will have one of the toughest assignments in the NFL — containing Maxx Crosby.
The Raiders will need Crosby to win that battle, especially with Malcolm Koonce out with a knee injury. This defense lives and dies by its ability to get to the quarterback, so this matchup is a big one.
DT John Jenkins vs RB Gus Edwards/JK Dobbins
The Chargers figure to run the ball a lot under Greg Roman. They haven’t named a single starter at running back, so either it’s a mystery or a true dual role. In either case, the man who will played the most outsized role in trying to contain the run will be Jenkins.
Jenkins is the team’s nose tackle. Stopping the run is his primary job. Whether he makes the actual tackle on a given play is not the most important detail. His job will be to be in his gap and not get overpowered to either make the stop or force whoever is running the ball to re-direct somewhere else.
T Thayer Munford vs DE Khalil Mack
Munford will face the former Raiders All Pro edge rusher the majority of the time in his debut as Raiders starter. Mack absolutely demolished the Raiders in their first matchup last season. He lit up former RT Jermaine Eluemunor and got Kolton Miller a couple times as well to put up SIX (6) sacks against them.
Mack has had some of his best games against the team that drafted him and then opted to trade him rather than give him a new contract. He will be rearing to go for this one and facing a new starter in Munford who has a lot to prove to keep his job.
Other matchups to watch:
TE Brock Bowers vs S Derwin James
WR Davante Adams vs Asante Samuel Jr
The video will have you ready to run through a wall.
Chargers football is back! And it’s a new era under Jim Harbaugh.
Ahead of their season opener against the Raiders this Sunday, the team released their hype video, narrated by former star linebacker Shawne Merriman.
With “Dream On” by Baltic House Orchestra playing in the background, Merriman provided a motivating narration that should have anyone ready to run through a wall after watching the video.
Check it out:
consider this ur warning pic.twitter.com/orXUoTrXJ9
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) September 5, 2024
Analyzing Los Angeles Chargers RB Gus Edwards’ 2024 fantasy football ADP and where to target him in fantasy drafts.
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]
Los Angeles Chargers RB Gus Edwards had a career-best season with the Baltimore Ravens in 2023 and is primed for another solid campaign this season. He came into the league undrafted in 2018 and quickly made his name known, going north of 700 rushing yards in his first 4 seasons before dealing with numerous injuries in 2022. Below, we look at Gus Edwards’ 2024 fantasy football average draft position (ADP) and where you should draft him.
Entering 2024, Edwards is expected to take another major step as the main option for what could be a dynamic offense in Los Angeles. Edwards has top-15 running back potential. The versatile back is intriguing in terms of fantasy value.
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(ADP data courtesy of MyFantasyLeague.com; last updated at time of this publishing – ADPs continually change as more drafts occur)
Edwards’ 88.16 ADP in redraft leagues puts him in the range of the 8th to 12th round depending on the size of the league, His ADP is best among his offensive teammates — WR Ladd McConkey is next at 90.72.
Among running backs, Edwards’ ADP puts him 31st at the position, behind Washington teammates Austin Ekeler (86.38) and Brian Robinson Jr. (83.20). Tennessee’s Tyjae Spears (93.20) is 32nd, while Pittsburgh’s Jaylen Warren (94.22) is 33rd.
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]
Games: 17
Carries | rushing yards: 198 | 810
Rushing touchdowns: 13
Receptions | receiving yards: 12 | 180
Receiving touchdowns: 0
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Edwards’ fantasy value is difficult to predict this season as he’s still with RB J.K. Dobbins and bound to split carries with former Ravens teammate in L.A. Edwards is the projected starter and had a career-best 13 touchdowns last season, so he may continue to get a good chunk of the goal-line work.
The addition of Dobbins does hurt Edwards’ value slightly because of the split in time. Edwards has also had a downward trend in efficiency. He hit a career-best 198 carries last season but had just 4.1 yards per attempt, the lowest of his career.
Edwards did rank as the 14th-best running back in fantasy last season and played in a career-high 42% of offensive snaps. He’ll likely hover around 40% again this season. A plus for Edwards is that he is more of a receiving threat than Dobbins, making make him a better PPR target.
Draft Edwards above his ADP as his ceiling is better than a good number of receivers in his ADP range. Don’t let him fall out of the 8th round, especially in PPR leagues as he should be the team’s main receiving back.
Considering the rarity of solid backs, Edwards is going to contribute to the Chargers offense and should get good usage. Late in drafts, he could be a steal.
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[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]
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