Chargers: Five keys to victory over Lions in second game

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CARSON, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 08: Jacoby Brissett #7 of the Indianapolis Colts is sacked by Isaac Rochell #98 and Joey Bosa #97 of the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half of a game at Dignity Health Sports Park on September 08, 2019 in Carson, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Chargers key to victory No. 3: Send Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram from the same side

Why is this not a given on every third down?

Melvin Ingram is a pioneer for sliding dynamic rushers inside over guards.

Two filthy reps here against Glowinski

1) Cross-chop for the sack

2) Inside-out spin for the pressure pic.twitter.com/Ej8LonWUQo

— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) September 10, 2019

There aren’t many guards who are going to be able to handle Ingram or Bosa on a routine basis.

The Chargers have decent-to-solid defensive line talent, and would not suffer having No. 97 No. 54 on the same side. Isaac Rochell can handle the other side, with someone like Tillery (as he did in the second play above) occupying double teams.

Chargers key to victory No. 2: Be the better quarterback

Over the last three years, Matthew Stafford has had 31 interceptions; by comparison, Philip Rivers has had 44. Over the same span, Stafford has 1,746 attempts, whereas Rivers has 1,744.

What Rivers cannot do is try and win the game himself with errant throws. Stafford is unlikely to gift the Chargers an interception, and turnovers of that nature will be hard to come by.

Where he is prone to mistakes, however, is fumbles. Over the last three years, Stafford has fumbled 20 times (not all lost).

Had Rivers not thrown an interception last week, the Chargers would have likely put away the Colts with a field goal. It was a spectacular play by Malik Hooker, but Rivers has to be better only seven yards away from the end zone in a game where they were up by eight points.