Clearly, reuniting Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams won’t suddenly turn the Jets around; Russell Wilson turned the boos to cheers in his Steeler debut; and the 49ers have lost Brandon Aiyuk for the season.
After crashing and burning with a five-win effort in 2023, the Los Angeles Chargers are doing much better (3-2) in their first season under Jim Harbaugh. And with a Monday Night Football (MNF) tilt on deck against a struggling Cardinal team that’s just 2-4, Los Angeles has a good chance to solidify its holding on second place in the AFC West.
However, the Bolts are going to have to overcome a boatload of injuries.
Of greatest concern, stud lineback Joey Bosa is hurt — again. Given his doubtful listing, he’s almost assuredly going to be sidelined with a hip woe for a third straight game. Bosa is a muscular and flexible player when he’s available, but he’s really struggled to stay on the field, appearing in just 17 games since the start of the 2022 season.
Once again, the Chargers defense is going to have to figure out a way to overcome his absence; they definitely miss both his talent and passion (see video below).
On offense, the wide receiver room is riddled with question marks. Rookie Ladd McConkey is questionable as he also deals with a hip injury, but if he’s playing, you need to have him active. He’s been the top receiving option for the Chargers and should haul in at least five passes for 55 yards or so.
Also questionable is DJ Chark (groin), who has yet to suit up this season, but he should return over the next few weeks (just not Monday, from the sounds of it).
Meanwhile, Quentin Johnson (ankle) is listed as doubtful and with TE1 Hayden Hurst (groin) also banged up, backup Will Dissly could be a major sleeper for this game.
With Minnesota losing to Detroit on Sunday, the NFL’s only remaining undefeated team is the Kansas City Chiefs (6-0). KC hasn’t been blowing teams away, but it just keeps on winning, leaving us to wonder, could the Chiefs go 17-0 this season? FanDuel suggests this is unlikely (currently +1200), but you can be sure those odds will go down with each victory KC puts up.
This season, it’s been all about defense and a strong running game that’s been carrying the Chiefs. QB Patrick Mahomes, who has taken his share of barbs from fans and players alike, had a rough day on Sunday, completing just 16-of-27 for only 154 yards and no TDs while getting picked twice and sacked twice. Yuck.
He salvaged his day with his first rushing touchdown since 2022, and had looked better over the last three games, and there’s no shame in being held in check by the 49ers’ D, so no need to panic at the moment.
Still, there’s no sugarcoating the fact that this is the worst Mahomes has looked since taking over as the full-time starter in 2018. Six touchdown passes against eight interceptions? Um… that’s not so good.
Those eight picks have him tied for first in the league, while he’s just 16th in passing yards and tied for 21st in touchdown passes. How in the hell in Mahomes still considered the frontrunner to be NFL MVP this season?
In fairness, he’s playing the hand he’s been dealt. KC’s wide receiver group is massively banged up and things got worse when Juju Smith-Schuster had to leave early on Sunday.
Consider Mahomes a mid-range QB1 for Week Eight against the Raiders.
Clara Ann Fowler was better known the world as American singer Patti Page. In 1963, she released the single “Just a Simple Melody.”
The post NFL Today: Chargers Bouncing Back Under Jim Harbaugh first appeared on RotoRob.