Preview: Chargers Aiming to Sack Jared Goff Repeatedly
Noah Camras covers the Los Angeles Chargers for Charger Report. He answered five questions from All Lions to preview Sunday's matchup between Detroit and Los Angeles.
1.) What is your overall assessment of the 4-4 Chargers?
Noah Camras: "The Chargers are an improving team which still have tons of work to do to be among the AFC's elite. Their defense has made great improvements over the last two weeks, but they've been against two below-average offenses. This week's game against the Lions is a perfect measuring stick game to see where the Chargers truly stack up, especially on the defensive side of things. But, as of right now, the Chargers are a good team working through key injuries to their offensive weapons (e.g. Mike Williams, Joshua Palmer)."
2.) Lions OC Ben Johnson is considered a future NFL head coach. How hot is the seat of Chargers coach Brandon Staley?
Camras: "It was a lot hotter two weeks ago when the Chargers were 2-4, but back-to-back primetime blowout wins have cooled things down a bit. With games against the Lions and Ravens coming up, we'll get a much better sense of where this 'Bolts' team stands among the NFL's elite. If the Chargers miss the playoffs, I can't imagine Staley is back next season. But, if they continue to win, his seat will keep cooling down."
3.) Who is the one player the Lions must be most concerned about on the Chargers' roster?
Camras: "This is a fun question because the Chargers have tons of playmakers on both sides of the ball. But, I'm going to go with Keenan Allen, who's currently on pace to have the best season of his career — which is saying something for someone who's been in the league for 11 seasons and has made five Pro Bowls and won a Comeback Player of the Year Award. But, Allen has continued to be Herbert's No. 1 target. And, if he's running all over the field making big catches, the Chargers' offense will be tough to slow down."
4.) What are one-two key matchups to watch this weekend at SoFi Stadium?
Camras: "The most important matchup has to be the battle of the trenches. The red-hot Chargers defensive line, with names like Khalil Mack, Joey Bosa and Tuli Tuipoluto, takes on arguably the best offensive line in football in the Lions. The Chargers' defense got eight sacks last week in their dominant win over the Jets. If they can get pressure on Jared Goff, they could be in line for the upset win."
5.) After 60 minutes, who ends up winning this Week 10 contest?
Camras: "The Chargers will definitely be one of the bigger upset picks this week, as they are currently three-point home underdogs against the Lions. I'm expecting a shootout at SoFi this weekend, but I think the Lions' offense prevails with the weapons they have around Goff. But, expect a fun game in the afternoon slate on Sunday."
