The Green Packers will travel out to California to take on the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday in what may be considered a road game, but will most likely look like a home game in the stands. The Chargers have had issues filling their seats since moving to Los Angeles, and it has not given them much of a home-field advantage at all. Pair that with one of the most historic franchises coming to town, and we may be looking at Lambeau Field West this weekend.
Still Dangerous
You cannot talk about the Packers without talking about Aaron Rodgers. Back to full health this season, with a new head coach for the first time in his career, Rodgers has looked to be at the top of his game yet again. He has now thrown for 2,324 yards, 16 touchdowns, and just two interceptions this season.
Speaking of the Packers’ new head coach, Matt LaFleur, he promised to bring a running game and a stronger defense to Green Bay, and so far, he has followed through on both. The Packers starting running back, Aaron Jones, has 114 attempts this season for 466 yards and eight touchdowns. The Green Bay defense has stepped up well this year as well, with its young talented secondary making a name for themselves.
The Packers are now 7-1 this season after a 31-24 win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 8. Green Bay’s only loss this season came against the Eagles in a game where their defense was exposed for the first time, though they have been able to bounce back and string together another four wins since then.
Green Bay is averaging 26.9 points per game while giving up 20.4. The Packers are almost even when it comes to yards, as they are posting 392 while giving up 393 per game. They currently have three players to watch on the injured list in Blake Martinez, Davante Adams, and Bryan Bulaga. Adams hasn’t played since Week 4, but there’s hope he’ll be ready to go for this one.
Disappointing Campaign
The Chargers have come up short of expectations so far this season based off their impressive roster. Despite Melvin Gordon starting the season in a holdout, the Chargers have an impressive roster all around and have not been able to capitalize.
Running the show on offense again for them this season is the veteran, Philip Rivers. Rivers has thrown for 2,315 yards and 12 touchdowns, but he has also tossed seven interceptions already this season. So despite his defense only allowing 19 points per game, with their turnovers on offense, they are also only putting up 19 points per game themselves.
With the absence of Gordon to start the season, Austin Ekeler stepped into the starting role. He has posted 251 yards and three touchdowns off 72 carries this season, and with Gordon back in the lineup, they have been able to balance the backfield more and won’t have to turn to Rivers as much during the game.
Rivers’ leading target once again this year has been Keenan Allen. Allen has 51 receptions already this season for 617 yards and three touchdowns. With all these weapons on offense, it’s hard to figure out why they aren’t able to put up bigger numbers and post better than a 3-5 record.
It will not get any easier for the offense this week against a tough Green Bay defense. Look for Joey Bosa to try and put pressure on Rodgers as much as possible to force the Packers into some mistakes of their own.
What to Expect
I believe this will look like a Packers home game, and while it may not be pretty at times, the Packers will control the game and come out with a big win on the road.
