Part 1 I know
Youth Melvin Ingram Jersey , I know. I get it. These are always pretty futile exercises when it’s still this far until the start of the regular season.
But it’s the offseason and, well, without training camp news, I have to keep the
front page fresh and new until the real action starts.Over the next few weeks, I
will be breaking down the 16-game slate into four separate posts and give you
all my predictions on each matchup while offering my thoughts on why I believe
the Chargers should win or lose each contest.Again, take these for what they are
as there is plenty of time for things to change (or go completely wrong) before
the regular season gets underway.Let’s do this.9/9 Week 1 vs. Kansas City
ChiefsIf there is any team in the entire NFL that has the Chargers’ number, it’s
Andy Reid and the Chiefs. It’s almost laughable how the wheels seem to come off
every single time the Chargers take the field against this team.In 2017, Philip
Rivers through 10 interceptions. Not a bad total for a season, but he threw six
of them against the Chiefs’ secondary. Six interceptions across two games
against this one team. That’s just nuts. The craziest thing is how visibly
rattled Rivers becomes when he plays this team.Through most of the season,
Rivers played intelligently and efficiently. He was on top of his calls at the
line of scrimmage and didn’t risk the turning the ball over often, if at all.
However, when staring at the Kansas City defensive backfield, a switch seemed to
flip in Rivers that caused his inhibitions to lessen as he threw pass after pass
into questionable coverage.Luckily for PR17, his arch nemesis, cornerback Marcus
Peters, is no longer with the Chiefs. Peters was responsible for half of the
interceptions that Rivers threw against Kansas City and, although he is just one
player on that defense
http://www.chargersauthorizedshops.com/authentic-brandon-mebane-jersey , I have a feeling Rivers will have a much easier time throwing against this
defense without the Pro Bowl defender staring right back at him.On the ground,
the Chargers should be able to build on their rushing attack that netted 4.0
yards per carry and a 46-186-2 stat line across both games. Regardless how high
of regards the majority of analysts hold second-year quarterback Patrick
Mahomes, I don’t think the gunslinger will have what it takes to out-duel Philip
Rivers in his first NFL start. I believe the Chargers get their first victory
against the Chiefs in over four years and the 2018 season starts off on a very
high note.2018 Record: 1-09/16 Week 2 @ Buffalo BillsUnless you currently don’t
have a pulse, it’s impossible not to get a little giddy and excited when you see
the Bills on the schedule for this season. I personally don’t think I enjoyed a
game as much as last year’s matchup in a very long time. Defensive dominance and
offensive efficiency up and down the field. The Bills didn’t take many steps
forward regarding either side of the ball. Josh Allen was selected as their
quarterback of the future and Tremaine Edmunds was picked to be a spark-plug on
a defense that more often flailed than fly.LeSean McCoy is as dangerous as ever.
Unless the run defense takes a leap in the right direction, expect Shady to
break a run or two as they’ll look to lean on him early, regardless of who is
behind center.In the end, I don’t believe the Bills have enough firepower to
keep up with the Chargers’ offense and, while the defense has some young talent,
it won’t be enough to subdue all of the playmakers on the Bolts.This will be a
sound victory leading the Chargers to a 2-0 start to the year.2018 Record:
2-09/23 Week 3 @ Los Angeles RamsThe Rams have done an amazing job this
offseason of compiling stars from across the league to add to their team which
just came off a playoff appearance and an excellent first season under head
coach Sean McVay. Pro Bowl cornerbacks Aqib Talib and Marcus Peters have been
added to the secondary while defensive tackle Ndamakung Suh gets paired with
All-Pro Aaron Donald in the middle of the defensive line.On paper, this team
looks absolutely phenomenal. If anything, they’re starting to look like the
Golden State Warriors of the NFL.What worries me the most is that the Rams got
much better in two areas that are directly tied to some of the major
shortcomings of the Chargers.Their secondary brought in two cornerbacks that
have made life very hard for Philip Rivers in recent years. Talib was a big part
of the vaunted “No-Fly Zone” in Denver and the majority of Peters’ career
interceptions have come against the Chargers. I don’t like this match-up one
bit.With the presence of Suh and Donald along the defensive interior, I’m not
feeling too hot about the chances of success between the tackles. The addition
of Pouncey at center will help immensely as he has the athletic ability to,
maybe, keep up with the more elite defenders. On the bleaker side, Pouncey’s
help will come from second-year left guard Dan Feeney and highly-touted “medical
redshirt” rookie Forrest Lamp to his right.I don’t know about you but that’s a
lot of inexperience trusted to handle two of the top interior defenders in the
entire NFL.When it’s all said and done, I just can’t see them walking away
victorious from this one. Unless the team plays out of their minds, a la the
Bills game last year
Tyrell Williams Jersey , I believe McVay wins the first regular season edition of the Battle For LA.2018 Record: 2-19/30 Week 4 vs. San Francisco
49ersAfter finishing last year on a five-game winning streak, the 49ers look
completely rejuvenated from the last several years of dwelling in mediocrity.
The addition of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo seemed to ignite a fire within the
team and it’s subsequently transformed into a massive tidal wave of lofty
expectations heading into 2018.Jimmy G made the most of his young group of skill
players, relying on Marquise Goodwin as his WR1 while mixing in a healthy dose
of rookie pass-catchers. Tight end George Kittle and slot receiver Trent Taylor
became reliable targets over middle and in the redzone, taking pressure off the
new QB in high-pressure situations, i.e., the combacks against the Titans
towards the end of the season.The addition of center Weston Richburg and 2018
first-round selection Mike McGlinchey will help reinforce the offensive line as
the offense transition to a new backfield with Carlos Hyde now a Cleveland
Brown. I still expect Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram to flourish, here.Defensively,
the Niners boast a pair of young stars in linebacker Reuben Foster and defensive
lineman Arik Armstead. Former All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman is now the most
veteran player on the defense and should help raise the level of play in the
secondary.Looking ahead to this match-up, I can see this easily becoming a
offensive shootout that will give the Bolts all the scares they need on any
given Sunday. Although the Chargers have the much more elite defensive talent, I
can’t undermine the genius that is Kyle Shanahan and his offensive play-calling
abilities.The Chargers get the Niners at “home” and, regardless if that’s truly
an advantage for them anymore, I think the Chargers win this one on account of
several big plays made by the defensive side of the ball.2018 Record: 3-1There
you have it. The first four games in the books.I think there will be some
potential rough spots/trap games during the first quarter of the season but I
expect the Chargers to come out of the offseason with a renewed fire to build
upon their momentum from the prior season. If the team can kick the new year off
by getting out of the shadow of Kansas City, I believe big things will be in
store going forward. Division games always take on an added importance.But when
division favorites match up during the opening week of the season, the game
becomes even more significant.Such is the case on Sunday when Kansas City
travels to Los Angeles to face the Chargers.The Chiefs have won the AFC West the
past two seasons, but come into 2018 with Patrick Mahomes taking over at
quarterback. The Chargers closed last season by winning nine of their final 12
games, but are well aware that a 0-4 start is what kept them out of the
postseason."I love the challenge. I know our players love the challenge," Chiefs
coach Andy Reid said. "They are a good football team
Authentic Keenan Allen Jersey , so why not, right? Let's go play and who knows what happens down the road. It's a neat thing to start off that
way."Kansas City has dominated the series recently, winning eight straight by an
average margin of 12.4 points.Most of the focus going into the opener has been
on Mahomes, who moves into the starting job after Alex Smith was traded to
Washington in the offseason. Mahomes, who was the 10th overall pick in the 2017
draft, showed off his athleticism and lively arm in last year's regular-season
finale against Denver, throwing for 284 yards in a 27-24 victory.Mahomes' second
start will also be on the road against a division opponent, which he said is a
benefit after experiencing that last season."We want to attack every aspect of
the field. I feel like we have the weapons that we can attack short, run the
ball, stretch the defense deep, we can attack the middle with the guys that we
have," Mahomes said. "We just have to make sure we keep the defense honest on
every single play."The Chargers have scouted Mahomes' games from Texas Tech and
the preseason. There is still a share of the unknown, though, when preparing to
face a new quarterback."You look at his decision-making and how he operates —
and is he a guy that takes off on a run, can he extend plays? How does he handle
different looks?" defensive coordinator Gus Bradley said. "So you go back to
college. You look at his preseason games, that Denver game, any film you can get
your hands on."While the Chiefs have had to answer questions about
Mahomes
Youth Michael Schofield Jersey , the Chargers have been reminded plenty about last year's 0-4 start. Coach Anthony Lynn is hoping that he won't have to
do the same thing this season."Well, at this point I'm tired of talking about
it. Hopefully I can show you on Sunday — and we're going to find out one way or
the other," Lynn said. "That's what makes this week so great. We get to open up
with the division champs and we get to see exactly where we are as a football
team — culture and everything."Here are other things to know as the Chargers
host the Chiefs in an opener for the first time since 1992:HAPPY HUNTING
GROUNDS: Kansas City's Kareem Hunt ran wild against the Chargers last season,
averaging 163.5 rushing yards in the two games and scoring two touchdowns. Los
Angeles' run defense last season was the second-worst in the league (131.5 yards
per game). Bradley said Hunt presents a challenge because of the yards after
contact he can generate.RIVERS REDUX? Chargers QB Philip Rivers threw only 10
interceptions last season, but six came against the Chiefs."A mishap here or
there, a poor decision here or there. There's a story to every turnover, but
ultimately it's just taking care of it," Rivers said.If Rivers is to lead the
Chargers back to the playoffs for the first time since 2013, he needs to fix
some of his past struggles against Kansas City. He hasn't thrown for 300 yards
against them since 2013, and only three of his completions against the Chiefs
last season were for 25 yards or more.DEFENSIVE STANDOUTS INJURED: Both teams
are likely to be without their top defensive players. Chiefs safety Eric Berry
has not practiced because of a heel injury that kept him sidelined for most of
training camp. Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa did not play in the preseason
after suffering a foot injury during camp.MATCHUP TO WATCH: Chargers rookie
safety Derwin James, who was the 15th overall pick in this year's draft, draws a
tough assignment in his first game against Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. The
Chargers did a good job against Kelce last season, holding him to seven
receptions for 47 yards and no touchdowns.KEEP AN EYE ON: Chargers wide receiver
Mike Williams. With Chiefs corner Kendall Fuller matched up against Keenan
Allen, the 6-foot-4 Williams could have a big size advantage against Steven
Nelson and Orlando Scandrick. Williams is healthy for the first time in two
years, when he was at Clemson, and has developed a rapport with Rivers.
