Chargers vs. Lions: How to watch, game time and more
By Travis Wakeman
The Los Angeles Chargers make their first trip to Ford Field since Christmas Eve in 2011 on Sunday.
Both of these teams played in overtime in Week 1 but they had very different results. The Chargers got off to a great start by defeating the Indianapolis Colts while the Detroit Lions had to settle for a tie with the Arizona Cardinals in a game that should have never even gone to overtime.
A win over the Lions would give the Chargers their first 2-0 start since 2012.
Series history
The Chargers lead the all-time series and have won two of the last three games played in Detroit. Overall, the Chargers have beaten the Lions seven of eight times dating back to September 1981.
Here are the three most recent meetings…
December 16, 2007: LaDianian Tomlinson rushes for 116 yards on just 15 carries and finds the end zone twice as the Chargers pummel the Lions by a score of 51-14 at Qualcomm Stadium.
December 24, 2011: Matthew Stafford throws for 373 yards and three touchdowns as the Lions are the ones handing out the beatdown this time around, humbling the Chargers by a final score of 38-10.
September 13, 2015: This was the season opener and it was a hotly-contested game. Philip Rivers had over 400 yards passing and Keenan Allen was absolutely unstoppable, tying a franchise record for receptions in a game by snagging 15 passes. The Chargers went on to win the game 33-28.
Key storylines
- The key storyline for the Chargers will be how the team handles all of its injuries. The team will be without Hunter Henry. Michael Davis is listed as doubtful and it remains to be seen if kicker Michael Badgley will be on the field this week. Also, Andre Patton was called up from the practice squad, a sign that Mike Williams probably won’t play. In a corresponding move, the Chargers waived defensive end Chris Peace.
- How will the tight end position look for the Chargers without Henry? The team has just two healthy tight ends (Virgil Green, Sean Culkin) available for this game.
- How will the Lions choose to attack the Chargers defense? Casey Hayward will likely draw the assignment of Kenny Golladay, but the Lions’ No. 2 wide receiver, Marvin Jones, could have a field day against Brandon Facyson.
Related Story. Players who need to step it up a notch for Chargers in Week 2
Game information
Kickoff: 1O:00 am PT
Stadium: Ford Field, Detroit, MI.
TV: CBS
Commentators: Kevin Harlan and Rich Gannon
Radio: KFI-AM 640 (Matt Smith, Daniel Jeremiah and Shannon Farren)
Weather report: Click here for more info