2. Justin Herbert and the LA Chargers face must easier defenses
The situations are similar and Justin Herbert is going to take that leap to get into the elite quarterback conversation in year two. The final cherry on top that will lead to him having a better season than Aaron Rodgers is the defenses he has to play.
Herbert benefits from playing easier pass defenses than Rodgers and that is going to reflect on the numbers. While the Chargers do play some tough defenses, for the most part, it is smooth sailing.
Only three of the Chargers’ 14 opponents in 2021 ranked in the top 10 in passing yards allowed per game. Granted, things change year-over-year and defenses get better or worse but that is already a good sign.
Green Bay has to play much tougher opponents. While they benefit in getting two matchups against Detroit and getting to play other poor NFC defenses such as Seattle, they also have to play some of the best defenses in the league.
The Packers have to play the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and 10th ranked passing defenses in the league last season. That is almost half the season that is exclusively against the cream of the crop.