The NFL season is in full effect, and everyone knows what each team is capable of. Heading into week two, there is a lot less speculation about what teams are going to improve drastically and who will take a step back. Two teams heavily discussed in the offseason were the Los Angeles Chargers. Both teams having gotten new coaches, Jim Harbaugh and Dave Canales, many people thought the two teams would prove to be better in 2024 than they have been in recent years. In week one, however, they did not perform similarly.
The Chargers played great in a gritty game against the Raiders. The Panthers put up a poor effort against the Saints, allowing 47 points. Going into the week two matchup, the Chargers are understandably the favorites, seeing that many consider Carolina the worst team in the NFL. With this in mind, the Chargers have the opportunity to make a statement with their first trap game of the Jim Harbaugh era. The old Chargers would find a way to make this game extremely close, but Jim Harbaugh’s coaching can make it different. Doing this won’t be too difficult. If the Chargers do what they are supposed to do, they can win it without breaking too much of a sweat. With that being said, here are some things to watch out for heading into Sunday’s game.
njuries are starting to pick up in the season, and these teams have no shortage. The biggest player missing is Panthers DT Derrick Brown, one of the league’s best interior defenders. Jadeveon Clowney also has a chance of sitting out, as he has missed some practice this week. The Chargers will likely not be at full strength either, with FS Alohi Gilman currently listed as doubtful and EDGE Joey Bosa’s status still up in the air.
Bosa’s injury is one to watch, because of LA’s depth at his position. If Bosa sits, Khalil Mack will be the soul alpha of the group, being expected to make all of the big plays when it comes to getting to the QB. While Mack is capable of that, he won’t be alone, either. Second-year standout Tuli Tuipulotu would see extended reps in the game and is still a force to reckon with for an offensive lineman. When one of them has to come out, Bud Dupree can come in and wreck the game for a few snaps. While it would be better if Joey Bosa was good to go for this game, the Chargers should be fine without him (this week).
This game is a real opportunity for the Chargers offense to get going. Against the Raiders, the offense couldn’t do much until JK Dobbins opened up the scoring. Justin Herbert also threw for less than 150 yards, something very out of character for the superstar. While Herbert isn’t expected to throw even 300 yards every game anymore, seeing him get somewhere near that against the team that allowed almost 50 points from Derek Carr and the Saints would help the offense get into a rhythm for harder defensive matchups like the Steelers later on.
Panthers QB Bryce Young is in even more need of a bounceback game. While it will be hard against the Chargers’ defense, the NFL world is beginning to lose hope in the former number-one pick as he played more subpar football in the first game of his sophomore season. With the previously mentioned Gilman is expected not to play, however, the secondary will be weaker than the Chargers would like and he may be able to hit some of his weapons downfield more than he could against the star-studded Saints defense.
