Three Chargers who must play big vs. Falcons

Before each game I will be covering three players that need to perform well to help the Chargers come out on top. This week the Chargers face the Atlanta Falcons.

This is a prove it week for the Chargers. San Diego might have stolen a win from the Denver Broncos, but this will be there most difficult test yet and possibly for the rest of the year. The Atlanta Falcons are the hottest team in the NFL.

Currently the Falcons are the highest scoring offense, and their defense has pieces in place to help effect the game. A win in Atlanta will allow the Chargers to shake up the league. In order for them to do that this is a list of players who must execute at peak performance.

CB Casey Hayward

The Chargers are faced with a team who house one of the top five receivers in Julio Jones. Most likely Casey Hayward is going to be held responsible with defending Jones. There is no way that Hayward will be signal handedly responsible for covering Jones alone. The Chargers should involve Dwight Lowery and put Jones in double coverage for majority of the game. If the Chargers can at least slow down Jones a stout pass rush will be able to reach Matt Ryan, a quarterback who doesn’t handle pressure all too well.

ILB Denzel Perryman

Speaking of slowing Falcon weapons down. Devonta Freeman is the Falcons second best player on their offense and needs to become transformed into a minor factor if the Chargers wish to escape with a win in Atlanta. Bring in Denzel Perryman. When hot, Perryman has the ability to help bring the run game to a screeching halt. After Sunday fans should be reminded as to why Perryman lives in the nightmares of running backs.

DT Brandon Mebane

The Falcons offensive line is not something to be taken lightly. Their offensive tackles are nothing to wright home about, but their interior linemen are good enough to call your parents during dinner time to remind. Alex Mack is one of the best centers hands down. If the Chargers want to slow that run game down Brandon Mebane has his hands full. 311 pounds full.

Extra Credit

WR Tyrell Williams

Travis Benjamin might or might not be out for this Sunday. Either way Tyrell Williams will have fantasy owners fixing their bifocals and scouring to see if he is signed by any one yet. Yards after the catch on a short slant route will be Williams’s bread and butter. Prepare for a feast Williams.

TE Antonio Gates

Teams are starting to take Hunter Henry more seriously, as they should. This is Antonio Gates first opportunity sense being on the Chargers to fly under the radar. He should use this opportunity to inch closer to holding the touchdown record for tight ends.

G Orlando Franklin

Orlando Franklin has been an underwhelming free agent signing sense coming to San Diego from Denver. Last week Franklin had an incredible block that set up Melvin Gordon for a long run. The talent is there, he just needs to start utilizing it more. Or maybe it was more of a broken clock is right twice a day situation.  For everyone’s sake let’s hope that isn’t the case.

OLB Melvin Ingram

Melvin Ingram tends to perform better as the season goes along, assuming he isn’t injured of course. With the Chargers absences in the secondary the best way the team can stop the pass is by not allowing it to reach the receivers in the first place. Imagine that. Melvin Ingram will need to kick into high gear to help accomplish just that.