Chargers vs. Patriots: Where Each Team Has the Edge in Week 2 AFC Showdown

Games between the New England Patriots and San Diego Chargers have become a circus of follies. From Troy Brown's forced fumble on Marlon McCree in the 2006 playoffs, to Richard Goodman's unintentional celebratory fumble, there have been a number of eyebrow-raising plays every time these two teams meet.

Never mind the fact that both of the aforementioned meetings were decided by missed field-goal tries by Nate Kaeding, although that is an indication of just how close these games are on a consistent basis.

As such, every matchup will matter, every inch of every yard will be highly contested, and every second will count as these two AFC juggernauts slug it out.

Patriots Passing Game vs. Chargers Pass Defense

How do you beat a quarterback like Tom Brady? The Dolphins showed it may be an exercise in futility, but that franchise has been an exercise in futility lately.

They threw the kitchen sink at him with blitzes. They dropped seven into coverage. Only 517 yards later did they realize that nothing worked. 

The front seven will need to get pressure on the quarterback to stop this potent pass attack from having its way all day.

But it can't come from seven guys. The pressure has to get there with four players to allow the Chargers to drop seven into coverage. That's the best, and probably the only, way to beat Brady and the gang. With Patriots starting center Dan Koppen out, and Dan Connolly filling in, they have a chance to get the pressure there if they are able to confuse Connolly in his attempt to call out protections.

There's a lot of talent around Connolly though, in the form of two top-flight guards in Brian Waters and Logan Mankins. Having those two on either side will make his job a lot easier, and it helps that defensive mastermind Ron Rivera left for less-than-green pastures when he took the head coaching gig with Carolina.

The personnel is there, but with nine straight regular-season games of over 30 points dating back to Week 10 of 2010, it doesn't look like the Patriots are stopping any time soon.

Advantage: Patriots

Patriots Running Game vs. Chargers Run Defense

The Patriots had two of the most effective running backs in the league in 2010, as measured by Football Outsiders' defense-adjusted value on average. For running backs with 99 or fewer carries, Danny Woodhead led the pack. For backs with 100 or more, BenJarvus Green-Ellis ranked third.

That being said, the Chargers had one of the most effective run defenses on a per-carry basis last year, ranking fifth in the league while holding opponents to just 3.7 yards per carry. They ranked seventh in DVOA against the run.

That being said, this is a different year, and though Adrian Peterson is clearly a far superior back to both of New England's backs, the fact that the Chargers were gashed for 6.1 yards per carry is a bad start for their run defense.

The Patriots, however, got off to a solid start with 4.8 yards per carry against what's considered to be an up-and-coming Dolphins defense. 

Advantage: Patriots

Chargers Passing Game vs. Patriots Pass Defense

The front seven will need to get pressure on the quarterback to stop this potent pass attack from having its way all day.

Is there an echo?

That statement perhaps applies even more so to the Patriots front seven pressuring Philip Rivers than it did to the Chargers front seven pressuring Brady. Sure, any quarterback is deadly with time in the pocket, but the Chargers receivers are lethal when they have time to run their routes. Norv Turner is a student of the "Air Coryell" offense, predicated on deep passes to big, physical receivers. Not only do the Patriots cornerbacks need to play physical and get the receivers off their routes, but the Patriots front seven absolutely can't let plays develop behind them that could result in big gains.

Need statistical proof? Philip Rivers has led the league in yards per attempt three years running, averaging over 8.4 for each of the past three years. Those are some historic numbers, and if the Patriots defense plays anything like they did against Chad Henne and the Dolphins (8.49 YPA), Rivers could put up a single-game record for YPA.

It may, however, be some solace that Rivers has just a 1-4 record against the Patriots. His 78.4 passer rating against New England is his lowest against any AFC team, according to Stats, Inc. via Twitter.

So it looks, at least, like Belichick knows how to game plan for Rivers. As mentioned earlier, it comes down to the production from the front seven. Greg Bedard of The Boston Globe tweeted that the Patriots got pressure on just two of the first 19 pass plays, but then got 18 on the final 35. They'll need to find their groove early, and can't afford to let Rivers get in rhythm.

Advantage: Chargers

Chargers Running Game vs. Patriots Run Defense

Much like the Patriots, the Chargers ground attack benefits greatly from their quarterback. Defenses must respect the pass, and that opens things up in the box.

Although the Chargers averaged just 2.9 yards per carry against the Vikings, Ryan Mathews and Mike Tolbert contributed a total of 131 yards in the passing game, which is used as an extension of the running game in San Diego—129 of those yards came after the catch.

In that regard, there may be room for the Chargers to exploit weaknesses in the Patriots defense. They gave up 65 yards after the catch to Reggie Bush on Monday Night Football, and gave up an average of 4.9 yards per carry.

If the Patriots aren't able to put the breaks on the running game and the dump-offs that act as an extension of that running game, it could be a long day for the defense.

Advantage: Chargers 

Special Teams

Well, this one will be interesting no doubt. The Chargers' special teams woes are well-documented, and Football Outsiders ranks them as the worst special teams unit of 2010 (not surprisingly). Also, they're already off to a slow start to 2011 and rank 29th on special teams after one game.

That is accentuated by the ACL injury to Nate Kaeding on the opening kickoff of the 2011 season. An opening kickoff, mind you, that was returned for a touchdown and brought back painful memories of 2010. 

The Patriots, however, have had some special teams turnover of their own. They have had three different long snappers since the start of training camp.

Bill O'Brien is one of the best special teams coaches in the league, though, and will likely have his guys ready to capitalize on a Chargers unit that doesn't look too greatly improved over last year.

Advantage: Patriots

Coaching

The coaching staff can't take all the blame for lack of execution. The previous slide, emphasizing the special teams woes of the Chargers last year, puts that in perspective.

One thing the coaching staff must take the blame for, though, is a slow start. Especially a coach for a team that's loaded with talent like the Chargers.

In that regard, Norv Turner deserves all the criticism he gets for San Diego's sluggish starts to each of his seasons as head coach. In the first five games of Turner's four seasons as head coach, the Chargers are a combined 8-12, having gone 2-3 out of the gate each year.

Belichick's Patriots, meanwhile, are 15-5 under those same circumstances.

Turner's offensive mastermind can't be overstated, as he has helped lead some great offenses in his career. The same can be said for Belichick and defenses, though, so this will be an interesting duel.

Advantage: Patriots 

Conclusion

Much like the previous matchup against the Dolphins, this game has the potential to either be a nailbiter or a blowout. Once again, the result will be determined by the ability of the front seven to get pressure on the quarterback. This time, however, that principle applies to both teams.

With two of the most high-powered pass attacks in the league going head-to-head, there's no reason not to watch this game. Unless, you know, you're outside of the New England and San Diego areas and don't have DirecTV or access to a local bar that has it.

In the end, Rivers' struggles against the Patriots are a bad omen for Chargers fans looking for a rare hot start to the season.

Prediction: Patriots 31, Chargers 24 

Erik Frenz is the co-host of the PatsPropaganda and Frenz podcast. Follow Erik on Twitter  @erikfrenz.