What’s at stake, key matchup to watch, TV info, fantasy sleeper, prediction and what the Chargers need to do Sunday at Lambeau Field
When: 10 a.m. Sunday
Where: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wis.
TV/Radio: Ch. 11/98.7 FM; 105.5 FM/94.3 FM (Spanish)
Line: Chargers by 3
Notable injury designations:
Chargers: OUT: TE Gerald Everett (chest), S JT Woods (illness); QUESTIONABLE: WR Keenan Allen (shoulder), WR Jalen Guyton (groin), RB Isaiah Spiller (illness).
Packers: DOUBTFUL: S Rudy Ford (biceps); QUESTIONABLE: CB Jaire Alexander (shoulder), LB Rashan Gary (shoulder), LB Quay Walker (groin).
What’s at stake: A victory over the Packers moves the Chargers back to .500 and keeps their playoff hopes alive going into the final seven weeks of the regular season. A loss puts them in serious jeopardy as they would need to win six of their final seven games in order to match last season’s 10-7 record. It would be a tough ask to reach 10-7 even if they were to beat Green Bay.
Who’s better: The Chargers would seem to have the edge at many important positions, not least of which is at quarterback with Justin Herbert coming off a game in which he threw for 323 yards and a season-high four touchdowns. Herbert also led the Chargers to touchdowns on five consecutive possessions to end Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions. However, the Chargers lost last Sunday’s game 41-38, which underscores their defensive vulnerability.
Matchup to watch: The big question is whether the Packers are capable of stopping Herbert and the Chargers’ high-powered offense. Wide receivers Mike Williams and Joshua Palmer are sidelined by knee injuries, but Jalen Guyton and Quentin Johnston stepped up in their absence against the Lions. Guyton and Johnston each caught four passes and one touchdown.
Chargers win if: The Chargers defense has to be as good as their offense and both have to be as good as their special teams. They have shown flashes of brilliance in each phase of the game at times this season, but rarely at the same time. Their defense and special teams were exceptional in a victory Nov. 6 over the New York Jets, but their offense lagged behind. Their offense was almost unstoppable and their special teams were sound last week against the Lions, but their defense was leaky from beginning to end, giving up 533 yards in total offense to Detroit. Playing a complete game would serve the Chargers well against the Packers. The question is whether they can actually play a complementary game this season.
Fantasy sleeper: Johnston has to be considered one of Herbert’s top targets in the wake of the injuries to Williams and Palmer. Slowly but certainly, Herbert and Johnston, a first-round pick from TCU, have forged something of a bond, which is mandatory if a quarterback is to trust his wide receiver.
Prediction: The Chargers’ desperation should be evident from the opening kickoff. If it’s not, they’re going to be in big trouble and their season could be all but over with seven games to play. Packers quarterback Jordan Love isn’t in the same class as the Lions’ Jared Goff, which could mean the Chargers’ defense will have an easier day than last week. Chargers 28, Packers 17.
