SPOILER: Predictions for Chargers’ home contest vs. Eagles
By Anthony Totri
Another week, another loss for the Chargers. No one wants to be negative, but this team just doesn’t know how to click on all cylinders. Until the Chargers can connect across the board, they will continue to disappoint. In other news, the prediction record looks a little different this week. Total on the year: 1-12.
Los Angeles currently sits at 0-3. This week the Chargers will get a chance at redemption against an Eagles (2-1) team that has security at quarterback but lacks the ability to beat this Bolt team.
Here’s what will go down:
Prediction One: Melvin Gordon will have his first 100-yard rushing day of 2017
Gordon hasn’t looked all that great this season. That’s partially due to a sore knee and a poor run-blocking offensive line. However, the Chargers’ run game is bound for success this week.
The Bolts are entering fight or flight mode, and this week fans should bet on a fight.
Over the course of the year, Gordon has only managed 146 rush yards. With the Chargers desperately needing a win this week to salvage any hope of a playoff berth, it will be on the former Wisconsin Badger to take over the game.
A stat to be weary of throughout the game is that the Eagles have yet to allow a 100-yard rusher this season.
Despite the numbers, I’ll take a chance gambling on Gordon’s sheer ability.
Prediction Two: Keenan Allen, Travis Benjamin and Tyrell Williams each reach a season total of 200 receiving yards
This will be a tricky prediction to pull off, but fans should have confidence in Philip Rivers and company.
Despite his struggles against the Chiefs, Rivers is a reliable quarterback. Part of the reason he finds success is because of guys like Allen, Benjamin and Williams.
The trio is slowly emerging as each one has over 120 receiving yards in 2017. However, none of them have had a breakout game this season. Although fans can have faith in Rivers, banking on any of these wide outs to ball out on an individual basis is unlikely.
What you can take to the bank is that each one of these guys has a solid enough day to get them to 200 receiving yards on the year.
Prediction Three: Bolts’ defense holds Carson Wentz to under 200 passing yards
This looks unlikely due to Jason Verrett being ruled out for the season. However, have confidence in a guy named Casey Hayward, last year’s league leader in interceptions and currently pegged as the Chargers’ No.1 cornerback.
Not only do the Bolts’ have an above-average secondary, but the Eagles have a subpar receiving corps. Alshon Jeffery has yet to prove his durability, Torrey Smith’s best days are behind him and fans are still waiting for Nelson Agholor to prove his worth.
Yes, Wentz is starting to come into his own as a NFL quarterback, but he needs help.
This week he won’t get the support he so desperately craves.
Prediction Four: Chargers have five or more plays of 20+ yards
Now you’re probably looking at this stat like ‘how in the world can a team get this much production when they can’t win a game’?
Well the answer is clear – Philip Rivers.
Rivers did have a poor outing against the Chiefs last week; that was expected. Kansas City has remarkable defensive backs and they are a more experienced unit.
This week is redemption week for good ole Rivers. Fans have complained for years that Rivers needs an offensive line to protect him. Well, now he has it. The Chargers have only given up four sacks all season long.
It’s time for the Bolts’ quarterback to get the job done with his plethora of wide outs. However, don’t be shocked if Gordon racks up some chunk yardage of his own throughout the course of the game.