LA Chargers: 3 bold predictions vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 4
By Jason Reed
2. The LA Chargers allow 27+ points to the Buccaneers
The LA Chargers have been fantastic defensively. The most a team has scored against the Bolts is 23 points and it took the Kansas City Chiefs an extra overtime frame to do so. Without this defense, we would be talking about how ugly this season is shaping up to be.
While Tom Brady is no longer the MVP-caliber quarterback that he once was, he is still the greatest quarterback of all-time and knows what it takes to dissect a defense and get downfield. That is why the Bucs’ lowest-scoring game thus far matches the most points the Chargers have allowed.
Yes, the Kansas City Chiefs are a better offensive team than the Bucs and the Chargers contained them, but they also have familiarity with the Chiefs and match up nicely. I do not like how the Bolts matchup against the Bucs’ tight ends, who should be able to abuse the middle of the field.
Both Chris Godwin and Leonard Fournette are out for the game, but I really do not think that matters. Ronald Jones is a capable running back and Brady is going to have a field day with his tight ends.
Also, and this is important, the Chargers probably will not be able to have these clock-milking drives that they have had this season. The M-O has been time of possession and good defense.
It is going to be hard to milk that clock when they are coming up against a team that only allows 70.3 rushing yards per game. Those numbers might be a bit inflated, too, as the Bucs had to take on Alvin Kamara, Christian McCaffrey and Melvin Gordon. To hold that trio to 70.3 yards is quite impressive.
The Chargers’ defense is banged up and while they have been great all season, this is going to be the first time we see a poor performance.