Tag: Los Angeles Chargers vs. Washington Football Team

Members of Washington heap high praise on Chargers OT Rashawn Slater

Washington’s Ron Rivera and Chase Young offered their thoughts on Chargers rookie Rashawn Slater.

The Washington Football Team boasts one of the best defensive fronts in the league and while they’re equipped to wreak havoc, they know it won’t be an easy task to get in the face of quarterback Justin Herbert with a newly revamped offensive line that features tackle Rashawn Slater.

Slater will line up across from a familiar face that defined him as a college prospect and solidified him as a first rounder, with that being edge defender Chase Young, the reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year.

When Northwestern played Ohio State back in 2019, it was Slater who got the better of Young. Young remembers their battle and knows what the rookie brings to the table.

“He has real good feet, strong hands, you know their whole O-line is looking pretty good. So, you know as a D-line we are excited to get after them,” Young said about Slater and the rest of the line.

Washington did their homework on Slater, as the team was in need of a tackle heading into the draft, and head coach Ron Rivera liked what he saw on film.

“We thought he was very athletic. We really did. I believe he took the year off last year, but he’s a very athletic football player. He’s got good strength, good quickness. His foot work is exceptional. He’s got long arms. I think he’s a guy that if he gets his hands on you, he can control you,” Rivera said.

The matchup between the two will be one of the biggest storylines and even though it was the Slater who stymied Young then, the 22-year old believes that they have grown as players in the past two years, which is why the battle on Sunday will be more telling.

Who are the experts taking in Chargers vs. Washington?

How NFL experts around the league are viewing the matchup between the Los Angeles Chargers and Washington Football Team.

The Los Angeles Chargers are considered 1.5-point underdogs to the Washington Football Team in Week 1 of the 2021 season. The over/under is set to 44.5 points, per Tipico Sportsbook.

That means oddsmakers are taking bets on whether the two teams will combine to score more than or fewer than 44.5 points.

Our unofficial score prediction for the game is a 27-21 win for the Bolts, with a combined total of 48 points. So if we were putting money behind our prediction, we’d bet the over.

As for game picks, analysts are leaning towards the home team.

Expert Pick
Nate Davis (USA Today) Washington
Mike Jones (USA Today) Chargers
Mike Clay (ESPN) Washington
Sporting News Chargers
Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) Washington
Jared Dubin (CBS Sports) Washington
Gregg Rosenthal (NFL Media) Washington
Bleacher Report Washington

Sunday’s game will begin at 10:00 a.m. PT and will be televised on CBS.

4 key matchups to watch as Chargers face Washington in Week 1

Breaking down key matchups to watch for in the Chargers’ opener against Washington.

The Chargers’ 2021 regular season kicks off with a road matchup against the Washington Football Team this Sunday at 10 am PT.

Here are five matchups to keep an eye on in Week 1:

Chargers offensive line vs. Washington defensive line

General manager Tom Telesco made a major investment into the line this offseason, signing Corey Linsley, Matt Feiler and Oday Aboushi and drafting Rashawn Slater to join Bryan Bulaga.

On paper, this is arguably the most talented lines that the Chargers have had in years, but what matters at the end of the day is the product that they put on the field.

Facing a Washington defensive front that largely attributed to having the second-best overall defense last season, Los Angeles will have their work cut out for them.

In particular, the battle between reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year Chase Young and Slater is one of the biggest storylines.

After finishing No. 31 in pass block win rate in 2020, this matchup should set the tone early on. If the Bolts can hold their own, they’re capable of doing it against any other team.

Chargers’ wide receivers vs. Washington’s cornerbacks

Even in the face of a fearsome front, the Chargers will still likely look to put the ball in the hands of quarterback Justin Herbert. While pressure is one thing, Herbert will still have a talented pairing in the defensive backfield to be aware of.

Football Team signed William Jackson, who limited Keenan Allen to only four catches for 37 yards on eight targets last season when he was with the Bengals. Washington will also put Kendall Fuller in the slot, with Jackson moving outside.

After spending two seasons prior to with the Chiefs, Fuller re-signed with the team that originally drafted him last offseason and put together one of his better campaigns from a production standpoint – amassing 11 passes defensed and four interceptions.

Chargers CB Michael Davis vs. Washington WR Terry McLaurin

Re-signed this offseason after proving his worth in a starting role against some of the league’s top wideouts in 2020, Davis is now the No. 1 cornerback for the Chargers, and he will have the opportunity to live up to his label to kick off the season with a tough matchup in McLaurin.

Catching passes from seven different quarterbacks, including Colt McCoy, Dwayne Haskins, Kyle Allen and Taylor Heinicke, McLaurin still managed to be productive – eclipsing over 2,000 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns in his first two seasons.

With Curtis Samuel out of this contest due to a groin injury, veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick will likely target McLaurin early and often. Davis will look to use his foot speed, length and width to challenge him as much as possible.

Chargers tight ends vs. Washington LB Jamin Davis

During the final season that offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi called plays for the Lions, QB Matthew Stafford targeted the tight end on nearly 25% of his passes. Saints’ Drew Brees relied heavily on his tight ends, as well.

This season, Jared Cook and Donald Parham will be integral pieces of the passing offense, and don’t be surprised to see them involved quite often this weekend in hopes of exploiting Davis, Washington’s first-round pick.

One of Davis’ strengths coming out of Kentucky was his ability to cover bigger tight ends, so only time will tell if that skill translates over in his regular season debut.

Other matchups to watch

Chargers EDGE Joey Bosa vs. Washington rookie OT Samuel Cosmi

Chargers LB Kenneth Murray vs. Washington RB Antonio Gibson

Chargers S Derwin James vs. Washington TE Logan Thomas

Chargers CB Asante Samuel Jr. vs. Washington rookie WR Dyami Brown

Chargers’ Rashawn Slater puts college matchups vs. Chase Young in past, looks ahead to regular season debut

No other college tackle handled Chase Young better than Rashawn Slater did.

Rookie tackle Rashawn Slater stamped himself as a first rounder with his performances against edge defender Chase Young, most notably when Northwestern played Ohio State in 2019.

That season, Slater allowed zero sacks. In addition to giving up no quarterback takedowns, Slater gave up just one quarterback hit and four quarterback hurries on 355 pass-blocking reps.

Slater, who handled Young better than any other tackle did, will have the opportunity to replicate that in the regular season opener this Sunday when the Chargers take on Football Team.

While Slater was shaped as a prospect during the pre-draft process for his tape against Young in college, he believes that should not matter anymore as they have both developed as players in the two-year span.

“That’s the past, and he’s taken steps and I have taken steps since then,” Slater said. “So I don’t think about that past matchup as having any sort of factor. Really, it’s all about protecting Justin [Herbert] and moving the ball.”

Nonetheless, Slater will have his work cut out for him when he goes up against the reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year who had 7.5 sacks, forced four fumbles and recovered three — returning one for a touchdown in 2020.

If the training camp battles against Joey Bosa are any indication how he will fare in this league, Slater is tailor-made to protect the blindside at a high level – displaying the complete package from a mental, physical and technical standpoint.

Los Angeles Chargers’ 3 keys to victory over Washington Football Team

Highlighting what the Chargers must focus on in order to pick up a win in the season opener.

The Chargers are set to open up the 2021 season with a road matchup against the Football Team. How does Los Angeles come away with a victory?

Here are my three keys to a Bolts win:

Be multi-dimensional

The offense lies in the hands of quarterback Justin Herbert, the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year, but if there’s one thing about Football Team’s defense it’s that they’re stingy when their opponents air it out.

Washington had the No. 2 pass defense in the league last season, with the pass-rush having a big hand in that. Even with a newly revamped offensive line, the Chargers solely rely on their passing attack.

Instead, they must look to get a ground game going against a unit that allowed nearly 115 rushing yards last season to alleviate some of the pressure on Herbert and the line.

Running back Austin Ekeler’s availability is currently up in the air as he’s dealing with a hamstring issue. If he can’t go then Justin Jackson, Joshua Kelley and rookie Larry Rountree must all step up in his absence.

Rampage Ryan

It’s Ryan Fitzpatrick who takes over as Washington’s signal-caller, and in order for the Chargers to have the advantage they must rain on his parade in his debut in the burgundy and gold.

The defense, which is now led by Staley after overseeing the Rams’ top-ranked unit a season ago, must force Fitzpatrick into making mistakes early and often. The veteran will not shy away from putting the ball in the air and looking to take advantage of their slew of weapons.

Staley’s emphasis on bringing heat from as many places and coverage disguise in attempt to create uncertainty for Fitzpatrick — combined with playmakers led by Derwin James, Joey Bosa, Kenneth Murray, Michael Davis, Chris Harris Jr. and rookie Asante Samuel Jr. — will be crucial.

Stay strong on special teams

A few of the Chargers’ losses from last season were attributed to a poor special teams department, whether it was poor coverage and return skills, bone-headed penalties or kicking woes.

Staley put a great emphasis on the department, bringing in Derius Swinton, who has 14 years of experience and constructing the 53-man roster with players that he felt would benefit the most.

Now with Tristan Vizcaino as the starting kicker, Nasir Adderley as the kick returner, K.J. Hill as the punt returner and a combination of some returners and new additions on coverage units, the expectation is that there will be a better product on the field.

6 Washington players the Chargers must game plan for in Week 1

Highlighting a few players on the Washington Football Team that could make it difficult for the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Chargers are set to visit the Washington Football Team for the 2021 regular season-opener.

Despite finishing 7-9 in 2020, Football Team was still crowned NFC East champions and they’re equipped to make a run at another division title.

With that, there are a few notable players that Los Angeles will really have to make sure they’re game planned for in order to have success this Sunday.

Here are six players on Washington that the Bolts should hone in on.