The Chargers host the Seahawks with a chance to tie their all-time series at 26 victories apiece.
Los Angeles is hurting, however, missing wide receiver Joshua Palmer, tight end Donald Parham Jr., running back Joshua Kelley, and kicker Dustin Hopkins on top of preexisting injuries.
Here’s how L.A. can overcome those obstacles to advance to 5-2.
Figure it out on the fly
With all those injuries piling up, it’s time for the Chargers to use game action as an evaluation period. Listen, with Justin Herbert under center, Los Angeles should win this game. But with Palmer out and Keenan Allen questionable again this week with his hamstring injury, the wide receiver depth is a huge question mark. Mike Williams is healthy, but if Allen doesn’t play, DeAndre Carter will be the second wide receiver. Jason Moore is also on the active roster, and Michael Bandy was signed to the active roster. Same thing at running back, where we’ll see rookie Isaiah Spiller for the first time without Kelley. Injuries are bound to happen to every team; the truly great ones have their depth step up. Let’s see it on Sunday.
Get the real J.C. Jackson
How does Jackson respond to being benched on Monday after another putrid half of football? The splash free agent signing said this week that his plan was to do extra film study and spend even more time at the team facility to prove he deserves this staff’s decision to reinsert him into the starting lineup. I think Seattle is a potential get-right game for Jackson, who excels as a press man corner against physical receivers. The Seahawks happen to have that exact player in D.K. Metcalf. As Brandon Staley said postgame last week, there are some situations where you can’t press, and Jackson will have to be better in those. But for the most part, the Chargers should be able to leave Jackson on an island with Metcalf. If he performs, it could be exactly what he needs to get the season turned around. If he falters or suffers another mental error in zone coverage with Tyler Lockett nearby, the woes may only worsen.
Trick the rookies on third down
On offense, Seattle has two rookies starting at offensive tackle, contributing to their 20.7% sack rate on third downs. The Seahawks seem to struggle to pick up blitzes, an area we know Staley’s defense is proficient in. If the Chargers continue to disguise their pressure looks the way they did on Monday, it could be another standout game for Drue Tranquill and/or Derwin James, let alone…
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