Chargers vs. Packers Preview: Q&A With Lombardi Ave

The San Diego Chargers are heading to NFL sacred ground this weekend, as they travel to historic Lambeau Field to face the Green Bay Packers on Sunday afternoon.

The Chargers have a quick turnaround, a very short preparation week after last Monday’s heartbreaking home loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Not much onfield practice time, as the team is expected to leave Friday night for Wisconsin. Normally, a road game following a Monday night encounter isn’t the right formula for success, but leaving town might be the best medicine for the Chargers to get back on their winning ways.

That task won’t be easy, as the Packers are looking to head into their bye week with a victory over the Chargers.

This week BoltBeat.com has the pleasure to preview the game with Lombardi Ave staff writer Josh McPeak, who is in his second season with the site. His knowledge of the Packers is off-the-chart, even though growing up in a home with a diehard Cleveland Browns fan. McPeak still bled green and gold while treking to that grand stadium overlooking Lake Erie, as he cherished every minute sharing the NFL experience with his dad.

Here is our Q&A from earlier this week:

How have the Green Bay Packers risen above their crushing defeat in theNFC Championship Game against the Seattle Seahawks?

Mike McCarthy is probably the most underrated coach in all of the NFL. Hesurvived the Brett Favre to Aaron Rodgers transition. That is small potatoescompared to a three minute collapse in an NFC Championship game.Unfortunately, he will probably need another Lombardi trophy, or two inorder to garner the respect he deserves.

With the season-ending knee injury to Jordy Nelson and the nagging ankleinjury that has kept Davante Adams out of the lineup, can the Packerscontinue being primarily passing attack?

Jordy Nelson was a huge loss and it has showed. Aaron Rodgers is just aphenomenal quarterback and makes the players around him that much better.The way this team is playing right now, I have stated it could very well bea 19-0 team with Nelson. Rodgers alone will keep this team as a primarypassing attack option on offense.

How have the Packers replaced inside linebacker A.J. Hawk in the startinglineup this year?

Nate Palmer has been a pleasant surprise, but Clay Matthews is a monster atevery linebacker position. Matthews could very well be the best inside andoutside linebacker in the NFL. I have been guilty of being his worst criticat times. A healthy Matthews makes the Packers’ defense a different unit.

Losing both starting cornerbacks (Tamron Williams and Davon House) viafree agency this offseason, has the defensive secondary become the weakestlink on the Packers defensive unit?

That is a very tough question, especially after a four interceptionperformance. Quinten Rollins has been a very solid addition so far. His twointerception and one touchdown was a huge difference against the St. LouisRams. Sam Shields has also showed flashes since a rough week one versus theChicago Bears. Possibly the biggest disappointment on the defensive unit sofar is Casey Hayward. Hayward had been a ball hawk in limited work, butsince being named a starter he has underperformed.

Finally, your prediction on the contest, and which players will stand out onSunday.

Aaron Rodgers didn’t have an MVP like game a week ago. I don’t think thatwill repeat. Davante Adams may be back this week and Ty Montgomery has madehimself a viable target. Philip Rivers could very well add a few possessionsto that as well. The Dom Capers’ pass rush will be in full force.

Packers 35 Chargers 24