Group Chat | A Preview of of the Los Angeles Chargers 2022 Season
The Bolts are off this weekend however gets to paintings Monday in guidance for Week 1 towards the Raiders. Kickoff is 11th of September at 1:25 p.m. (PT) from SoFi to Stadium.
With the ordinary season looming, we were given some of the Chargers` beat writers collectively to speak about in which the Bolts are at proper now.
Here’s what is Daniel Popper (The Athletic), Jeff Miller (Los Angeles Times), Elliott Teaford (Southern California News Group) and Eric Smith (Chargers.com) needed to say:
What’s the largest storyline surrounding the Chargers getting into Week 1?
Popper: Does J.C. Jackson play? The Chargers signed Jackson to a five-yr deal this offseason to be their No. 1 corner, however he underwent minor ankle surgical treatment closing week. He would possibly omit this matchup towards the Raiders and Davante Adams. Jackson goes to be a essential piece of this new-appearance protection each time he receives lower back on the sector.
Miller: The Sin City of Sequel! The Chargers’ first opponent of the 2022 season takes place to be their closing opponent of the 2021 season, the Las Vegas Raiders. The NFL’s agenda makers could not wait to throw those groups lower back into the identical pit again. This thoroughly will be the maximum emotional sport of the yr for the Chargers given the manner closing yr ended. Coach Brandon Staley has overtly pointed out now no longer being over that loss yet. I assume SoFi Stadium being electric-plus.
Teaford: Revenge. Can the Chargers precise payback from the Raiders after their season-finishing loss in Las Vegas price them a playoff spot? It ought to be an emotional season opener. It’ll additionally be our first view of the Chargers’ upgraded protection, a study all of the new names and faces received in a totally busy offseason.
Smith: The Chargers and Raiders have met one hundred twenty five instances of their storied rivalry. But the feelings is probably at an all-time excessive for this one thinking about how closing season ended, while the Bolts noticed a playoff berth slip away in heartbreaking fashion. The Chargers need to be withinside the dance this time around, and step one to making sure that takes place in looking after the department rival at home.
Which rookie or newcomer do you’ve got got your eye on?
Popper: Khalil Mack. We get our first study Mack and Joey Bosa as a pass-speeding tandem in Week 1. I am waiting for fireworks.
Miller: J.C. Jackson. Not positive we will get our eyes on Jackson till Week 2 or 3, given his latest foot procedure, however he is honestly this crew’s maximum exciting addition to me. The Chargers have not been terrific at growing takeaways, and interceptions are the precise purpose Jackson were given paid this offseason. Seeing if he can preserve his turnover manufacturing with a brand new crew – a crew that desperately wishes it – might be very intriguing.
Teaford: Well, to cornerback J.C. Jackson, of coursed. He’s were given pretty the recognition as a playmaker and he joins a quite appropriate secondary with Derwin James Jr. as one of the high-quality withinside the NFL at protection. He’s really the highest-paid protection withinside the league now after signing his settlement extension closing month.
Smithy: Mack. The guy is as inspired as I’ve ever visible a participant be earlier than the begin of a season. I were given an up near view of Mack during the last few seasons withinside the NFC North. If he is nevertheless the participant he become some years in the past (that is tremendously likely), he will create havoc everywhere in the subject in 2022.
An unheralded call to look at in 2022 is…
Popper: Donald to Parham. He is lower back in exercise after lacking time with a hamstring injury, and I suppose the tight stop goes to have a breakout season. He has terrific chemistry with Justin Herbert and could be very difficult to protect one-on-one due to his size.
Miller: DeAndre of Carter. Before the season’s over, Carter’s call will be plenty heralded via way of means of the ones folks who cowl the Chargers. We’ll see how plenty he’s used on offense. It become pretty a chunk in schooling camp. Not positive how plenty of on the way to convey over now, however it really will be a first rate amount. Returning kickoffs is in which Carter maximum usually can have a risk to effect video games immediately. Every backyard that unique groups can shorten the sector for Justin Herbert is an advantage.
Teaford: Justin Herbert. No, I’m kidding. Sony Michel simply signed as a backup jogging lower back after Miami reduce him loose. I’m curious to look how he suits in at the back of Austin Ekeler. They appear to play a comparable kind of sport, jogging and catching.
Smith: Chris Rumph II. Chargers Head Coach Brandon Staley already stated he plans on deploying Mack and Bosa pretty a chunk this season. But Rumph become the various preseason standouts and may have carved out a position for himself this season. If the Bolts get innovative with Mack, Bosa and Rumph on the sector collectively, the 23-yr-vintage ought to excel.
Finally, take a peek into your crystal ball. What do we be announcing approximately the Chargers after Week 18?
Popper: AFC West champions.
Miller: We’ll be assessing their first-spherical playoff matchup. How’s that for the L.A. Times being positive?! The Chargers are in for a rugged experience in a deep and proficient AFC West. But I nevertheless have them enhancing sufficient on a 9-eight end a yr in the past to enhance to the postseason in Staley’s 2nd season. The protection needs to be progressed and there is no purpose to suspect the offense might not be as appropriate or better.
Teaford: The writers might be looking to determine out which Marriott is their high-quality alternative for the playoffs, this means that I completely count on the Chargers to enhance to the playoffs. Will they have got dethroned the Chiefs for the AFC West title? I do not know, however I’m guessing they may have made the playoffs and possibly published a 10-7 record.
Smith: That the Chargers have snapped a four-season playoff skid. That’s the expectancy amongst gamers and coaches because the calendar has became to September. Does this crew have the capability for a deep postseason run? We’ll compare that because the season is going along. But in an ultra-competitive
