The Chargers held the Bears to 16 points in Week 8's win.

Analysis: This was the third time the Chargers held an opponent to less than 20 points this year, but it doesn't look like they'll be that fortunate again in Week 9. The Packers are absolutely rolling, as they've averaged 29.8 points per game over their last four contests -- all without Davante Adams (toe). Adams has a chance to return this week, too, which would open up the Packers' passing game even further, although their running backs are prepared to cover the workload otherwise. The floor is…read more

The Chargers allowed 23 points and forced a turnover in Week 7's loss to the Titans.

Analysis: This was the second game of the season the Chargers allowed over 300 passing yards, and it was surprisingly against QB Ryan Tannehill, who was making his Titans' debut. The Bears are on a cold streak of their own with two straight losses, but they still managed to post at least 21 points in each contest. Furthermore, it's quite amazing how inaccurate QB Mitchell Trubisky can be without throwing an interception, but the Bears still fumbled twice last week. If the Bears stick to the ground game…read more

The Chargers allowed 24 points in Week 6's loss to the Steelers.

Analysis: Despite the Steelers rolling out their third-string quarterback, the Chargers allowed 21 points in the first half before finding their groove. It's a similar scenario in Week 7, as the Titans will afford Ryan Tannehill his first start for the team, although Tannehill had plenty of starting experience over six years with the Dolphins. He's still a solid quarterback, who completed 64 percent of his passes with a 7.4 YPA last year. Most of the Titans' talent is found with RB Derrick Henry, though,…read more

The Titans have allowed 20 or fewer points in every game this season.

Analysis: The Titans are quietly one of the better NFL defenses, holding opponents to a 27.6 third-down conversion rate while allowing 15.3 points per game. There's risk with a matchup against the Chargers, who have enough talent to be a juggernaut, but they haven't been able to put it together yet with four of their last five games below the 21-point mark. The Titans biggest weakness is against the rush, too, and the Chargers haven't hit triple-digit yardage on the ground since Week 2. The upside is…read more

DE Melvin Ingram is dealing with a hamstring injury ahead of Sunday's game versus the Steelers.

Analysis: The Chargers adapted without Ingram in the lineup Week 5, as they they took down Joe Flacco three times and forced two turnovers. Still, it would be an added bonus to have him in the fold as undrafted rookie Devlin Hodges could be under center for his first career start if Mason Rudolph (concussion) can't recover in time. The Steelers haven't been a threatening offense with Rudolph leading the way, as their highest point total has been 27 points against the lowly Bengals. However, he's only…read more

DE Melvin Ingram (hamstring) isn't expected to play in Week 5's game versus the Broncos.

Analysis: Ingram bring a menacing pass rush to the table, so his absence will allow the Broncos to put their focus on DE Joey Bosa instead. The Broncos' offensive line has struggled to keep QB Joe Flacco upright this year (11 sacks), and they'll continue to be without starting RT Ja'Wuan Jones (knee). Although Flacco's having a good season in his own right, he's thrown three interceptions over the last three games and the Broncos have turned the ball over five total times in that span. Cornerbacks…read more

The Chargers recorded four sacks over the first three games.

Analysis: The Chargers' pass rush has definitely suffered due to their beat-up secondary, as SS Derwin James (foot) is on injured reserve and CB Michael Davis (hamstring) has missed the last two contests. We're not worried about that in this matchup. The Dolphins' receivers are low on talent, and their offensive line has allowed 13 sacks this year. The upside here is huge, as the Dolphins have turned the ball over eight times. And the floor is solid, as they've scored just 16 points this year. The…read more

The Chargers have allowed 37 points (ranked 11th) through two games.

Analysis: Although the Chargers have looked strong, their opponents -- the Colts and the Lions -- weren't exactly powerhouses. The Texans are that powerhouse they've been waiting for (Jaguars CB Jalen Ramsey is probably the only player that can cover WR Deandre Hopkins), and injuries in the Chargers' secondary could hamper their chances. Furthermore, the Chargers' upside simply isn't that high. They only have two turnovers and two sacks so far. The Chargers should be able to get enough sacks on QB…read more

The Chargers allowed 203 rushing yards in Week 1 versus the Colts.

Analysis: For a team that ranked ninth in run defense (105.8 YPG) last year, the Chargers let Colts RB Marlon Mack have a field day on the ground with 7.0 YPC and 174 yards. They also allowed QB Jacoby Brissett to throw for 190 yards, two scores and no interceptions. The Lions were effective in the passing game Week 1 versus the Cardinals, as QB Matthew Stafford threw for 385 yards and three scores. While Stafford was carving up a defense without Patrick Peterson (suspension), the Chargers could have a…read more

MLB Denzel Perryman is dealing with an ankle injury ahead of Sunday's game versus the Colts.

Analysis: Perryman is an oft-injured linebacker, but he's expected to be the starter this year. While the Colts don't have QB Andrew Luck anymore, QB Jacoby Brissett is still versatile and a two-headed backfield of Marlon Mack and Nyheim Hines will give the Chargers a handful. The Chargers had the ninth-ranked pass defense last year and should be able to handle Brissett, especially since the Colts have a shallow receiving corps after WR T.Y. Hilton. The Chargers will be able to contain the Colts enough…read more

S Derwin James will miss three months after undergoing surgery for a stress fracture in his right foot.

Analysis: The absence of James will be a significant loss for the Chargers' secondary, which had the ninth-ranked pass defense (227.9 YPG) and also ranked ninth in opponent QB rating (89.1) in 2018. The additions of DT Jerry Tillery and S Nasir Adderly (hamstring) in the first two rounds of April's draft should bolster the unit's depth. The Bolts also ranked top-ten in total defense (333.7 YPG) and scoring defense (20.6 PPG) last season and return most of their significant contributors.

The Chargers enter their Week 17 matchup against the Broncos ranked eight in scoring defense (21.8 PPG) and total defense (331.3 YPG).

Analysis: Los Angeles performed well defensively last week against the Ravens -- allowed 16 points and only one offensive touchdown -- but were undone by an offense that committed three turnovers and totaled 198 yards. Denver has been a middle of the road offense for most of the season, but they will be without rookie RB Phillip Lindsey (wrist) and are also missing their top receivers from the start of the season -- Emmanuel Sanders (Achilles) and Demaryius Thomas (trade). Overall, this is a favorable…read more

The Chargers held the Chiefs to 294 yards of offense in a 29-28 victory in Week 15. They'll host the Ravens on Saturday.

Analysis: Kansas City was still able to put up 28 points, but the Chargers contained them enough to give their offense a chance to grab the win. The Chargers rank eighth in the league in total defense (329.1 YPG) and ninth in scoring defense (21.3 PPG), and will be facing a Ravens offense that is averaging 217 rushing yards in the last five games with Lamar Jackson under center. There should be some opportunities for takeaways, as the rookie quarterback has thrown three interceptions and lost three of…read more

The Chargers held the Bengals to 295 total yards of offense during Sunday's 26-21 win.

Analysis: It wasn't Los Angeles' best performance as they failed to force a turnover, but the result was what the doctor ordered. Following the win, the Chargers will have to quickly regroup with Kansas City up next on a short week. The Ravens gave the Chiefs some troubles for most of last week's contest, perhaps both proving a strong defensive unit can limit the explosiveness of Andy Reid's offense and, more importantly, outlining a potential blueprint for knocking off the Chiefs. Regardless the truth…read more

The Chargers boast the league's seventh-ranked scoring defense (20.8 PPG) entering Week 14.

Analysis: The Chargers have been a bit overshadowed this season given their LA counterpart, but the emergence of Derwin James as one of the league's best safeties has certainly been widely publicized. Perhaps last week's performance was somewhat unsettling from a defensive standpoint, but the Chargers are still an elite-caliber defensive unit as we enter December football. Only five teams have scored over 20 points against Los Angeles this season. With A.J. Green (foot) out for the year, the Bengals…read more

The Chargers held the Cardinals to just 149 total yards during last week's 45-10 rout over Arizona. Los Angeles will face Pittsburgh in Week 13.

Analysis: The performance last week was suffocating to say the least. Los Angeles made Arizona look completely lost and effectively reduced the threat of David Johnson by jumping out to a commanding lead in the second quarter. The Chargers defense has been stellar over the last couple of months, helping to quietly piece together one of the best seasons across football. Los Angeles has smothered opposing offenses, limiting its opposition to fewer than 20 points in six of its last seven contests. With Joey…read more

The Chargers enter their Week 12 game against the Cardinals with the seventh-ranked defense in points allowed (20.9 per game).

Analysis: Los Angeles has been even better of late, allowing a mere 14.8 points over the last six games, and now have a matchup with the Cardinals bottom-tiered offense this week. Arizona ranks among the four worst offenses in the league with 14.5 PPG, 240.5 YPG and 21 giveaways. Rookie QB Josh Rosen has flashed his first-round pedigree, but has often struggled to lead an offense that relies heavily on RB David Johnson and WR Larry Fitzgerald. Joey Bosa (foot) made his season debut with limited snaps…read more

The Chargers boast the league's eighth-best scoring defense (20.7 PPG) entering their Week 11 matchup with the Broncos.

Analysis: The Chargers have been rolling during their six-game win streak. The offense has justifiably received much of the praise for the turnaround following a 1-2 start, but the defense deserves recognition for its strong performance week in and week out. Following last week's 20-6 win over the Raiders, Los Angeles has now kept opponents below 20 points in each of its last five games. The Chargers seem to be peaking at the right time to make a deep postseason run. Given Denver's recent struggles, it's…read more