Chargers vs. Packers: What's the Game Plan for San Diego?
The San Diego Chargers will attempt to knock off one of the last remaining unbeatens in the NFL, as they get ready to do battle with the Green Bay Packers on Sunday at Lambeau Field.
San Diego's full game preview is available here. But for more on what the Chargers need to do to pull off the upset, check out this week's game plan, which includes key matchups and players to watch.
Offensive Game Plan
TOP NEWS
Colts Release CB After Trade Request
Projecting Every NFL Team's Starting Lineup 🔮
Rookie WRs Who Will Outplay Their Draft Value 📈
The game plan on offense for the Chargers should be to push the run game, as Green Bay is allowing five yards per carry and 130.2 rushing yards per game, but that's easier said than done with a bad offensive line.
Left tackle King Dunlap (concussion) and center Chris Watt (groin, concussion) have been ruled out for Sunday's game, according to the team injury report on Chargers.com. Left guard Orlando Franklin (ankle), right guard D.J. Fluker (ankle) and swing tackle Chris Hairston (ankle) are questionable. As of now, that leaves Joe Barksdale as the only healthy legitimate starter up front, and he's probably going to wind up playing left tackle again this week instead of his usual spot at right tackle.
With so many new faces on the offensive line, many of which are filling in at spots they don't normally play, it has been difficult for the Chargers to run the ball. Melvin Gordon, who is visibly fighting for every inch when his number is called, has totaled 270 yards on 71 attempts over five games. Meanwhile, fellow 2015 first-round draft pick and St. Louis Rams running back Todd Gurley has 314 yards on 55 carries over three games.
However, Gordon may have an extra bit of motivation to do well this week returning to his home state of Wisconsin. Give him 19 carries and see what he can do.
In the passing game, Philip Rivers is averaging 323 yards per game, which is tied for second-most with Drew Brees. But for the third time this season, Rivers threw a pick-six in a 24-20 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers last Monday. And while not every one has been entirely his fault, he needs to stop giving the opposing team freebies. It's not only a turnover, it's automatic points.
The Packers have the fourth-ranked pass defense in terms of yards allowed per game (186), and they have the second-most sacks with 20. On paper, this isn't a good matchup for Rivers, but that hasn't stopped him before.
The offense should continue to run through Rivers and the passing game, but there needs to be a balance with the running game. Gordon has been held back for too long, and he should be fueled for a big day in front of friends and family.
Defensive Game Plan
The game plan on defense for the Chargers is a difficult one to execute. First and foremost, they need to get pressure on Aaron Rodgers and keep him from buying time for his receivers. When that happens, coverage breaks down in the secondary, and he's able to hit his receivers for big chunks of yardage.
But it's not enough to get pressure on Rodgers, as he's one of the best at sensing pressure in the pocket and escaping danger. He can make throws on the run or pick up first downs with his legs, so it's crucial the Chargers get to Rodgers and keep him from extending plays.
In Green Bay's backfield, Eddie Lacy is a tough customer to bring down one-on-one. The Chargers need to work together on defense to make sure he doesn't pick up more yards than he should after contact.
And as for the Packers' receiving corps, it helps that Jordy Nelson isn't on the field, but Randall Cobb, James Jones and rookie Ty Montgomery have done well to pick up the slack in the passing game. And as if that wasn't enough, deep threat Davante Adams is expected to be back from an ankle injury that held him out of two games.
San Diego's secondary will face its toughest test yet against an elite quarterback and a talented group of receivers.
Key Matchups and Players to Watch
Antonio Gates vs. Packers LBs/DBs
Antonio Gates didn't look the slightest bit rusty in his return from a four-game suspension, as he caught nine passes for 92 yards and two touchdowns. The Packers linebackers and defensive backs, meanwhile, have done well against some of the league's elite tight ends.
Against Chicago's Martellus Bennett, the Packers held the 2014 Pro Bowler to five catches for 55 yards and a touchdown. Seattle All-Pro Jimmy Graham was shut down with just one catch for 11 yards. And Kansas City's rising star, Travis Kelce, was limited to six catches for 80 yards.
Having gone up against tight ends with similar abilities, the Packers should be well-prepared for the future Hall of Famer, but count on Rivers throwing to his favorite target anyway. Gates always seems to deliver for the Chargers when they need him most.
Jason Verrett vs. Randall Cobb
According to Pro Football Focus, Jason Verrett limited Pittsburgh's All-Pro receiver, Antonio Brown, to two receptions for 43 yards. Granted, it wasn't Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback for the Steelers, rather Mike Vick, but it's still a performance worth noting by the former first-round pick of the Chargers in 2014.
And with fellow cornerback Brandon Flowers struggling at the moment, Verrett seems like the best option to shadow Cobb or possibly James Jones on Sunday. Cobb leads the Packers in targets (42) by a wide margin, but Jones has the most yards (394) and touchdowns (5). Both men should present a challenge for Verrett and the rest of the secondary.
Denzel Perryman
With Manti Te'o missing practice all week due to an ankle injury, Denzel Perryman is likely to get his first career start at inside linebacker alongside Donald Butler. Said defensive coordinator John Pagano during Thursday's news conference, courtesy of Chargers.com, "If his [Perryman's] time is called upon this week, we need him to step up."
And with Te'o leading the team in missed tackles (10), per PFF, it may not be such a bad thing for Perryman to be in there. If there's one thing he does well, it's tackle. Just ask Cleveland Browns running back Isaiah Crowell about Perryman's tackling.
Ladarius Green
Believe it or not, Ladarius Green actually got more snaps than Gates in Week 5, but it was Gates who did more with less. With wide receiver Stevie Johnson expected to miss a second straight game with a hamstring injury, the Chargers will more than likely go with more two-tight end sets, or 12 personnel as they call it.
Green finished with five catches for 50 yards against the Steelers, but he figures to be more involved when he and Gates are on the field at the same time.
Prediction
The Packers haven't lost at home in the regular season since Dec. 22, 2013, an 11-game winning streak that should hit 12 on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Chargers are still looking for their first road win of the season, but they won't get it in Green Bay.
Packers 30, Chargers 20
.png?w=480)
