Week 12 Friday Focus: Cardinals @ Chargers
By: Peyton Schultze
Can the Chargers keep up with the Chiefs in the AFC West? Keenan Allen and the Bolts hope so.
Hi everybody, and a very pleasant Friday to you wherever you may be.
This week, one of the worst teams in the NFL, the Arizona Cardinals (2-8), visit Los Angeles in a bout with the Chargers (7-3) at the StubHub Center (1:05 pm, FOX). After a devastating loss to the 4-6 Denver Broncos last week, Philip Rivers and the Bolts will hope to bounce back against a poor Arizona team. Led by rookie quarterback, Josh Rosen (1,416 yards, 9 TDs, 10 INTs), and top-of-the-line running back, David Johnson (629 rushing yards, 6 TDs), the Cardinals will hope to compete with the Chargers. Arizona kept up with the Chiefs two weeks ago in Kansas City, but is now coming off a clunker to the awful Oakland Raiders and Jon Gruden. While last in their division and clearly one of the worst teams in the league, the Cardinals will still pose several threats to the Bolts in several areas. For starters, the Chargers must avoid bone breaking plays like this, from last week’s game against Denver:
The Cardinals only have two wins this year, both against the terrible San Francisco 49ers, but have kept in games against teams in the playoff picture such as Kansas City, Seattle, Minnesota, and Chicago. Part of the reason Arizona has hung around these games are due to a formidable defense still led by All-Pro corner, Patrick Peterson, and top 5 edge rusher, Chandler Jones. Sounds like a familiar problem that has hurt the Chargers this year? Look no further than last week’s game against Denver. Broncos’ corner, Chris Harris Jr., and future Hall of Famer, Von Miller, were able to rattle Philip Rivers and hang around with the Bolts until their offensive players started to make big plays down the field. If the Chargers hope to secure a solid win this weekend, they must not revert back to their old ways of finding a way to lose and put up a game full of mistake free football. Last week’s loss was filled with many penalties and the Chargers and head coach, Anthony Lynn, hope to cut down on this sudden outburst of yellow flags.
The Chargers will look for a bounce back win this weekend filled with minimal to zero penalties and mental mistakes.
Last week’s loss not only served costly for the divisional race (until Kansas City lost a day later on Monday Night Football), but for the roster itself. Stud defensive tackle, Corey Liuget, was lost for the season last week against Denver with a severe knee injury. As Liuget missed the first 4 games of the season due to a suspension from the league offices, the Charger defense performed poorly and looked lethargic at times. However, since his return, the defense looked much more solid and was elite against the run. The Charger offense has not been in doubt for much of the season with so many prime time game changers such as Philip Rivers, Melvin Gordon III, and Keenan Allen. However, the defense has been susceptible at times, especially without pass rusher, Joey Bosa. The Chargers must respond from this injury and find a way to grind through games. The team still has some awesome players on the defensive side of the ball, but will need to play hard on a weekly basis in order to set the offense up with a solid chance to win games, led by defensive coordinator, Gus Bradley.
Keys to the Game: Create Turnovers and Establish the Run
Cardinals quarterback, Josh Rosen, has shown flashes of potential this season, but only has produced two wins.
In what may be some of the simplest keys to the game, the Chargers should clearly be able to dominate this game. However, Arizona has been solid at times this year against good playoff teams. This is where there is cause for concern for the Bolts; they have been notorious for losing games they should not and not showing up on a weekly basis. However, Coach Lynn has flipped the script for most of the year, leading the Chargers to 7 early wins. For starters, the Bolts must create turnover from Josh Rosen. Rosen, who played college football in Los Angeles at UCLA, has struggled with turnovers for most of this season, which has led to great field position for the opposing teams. By destroying the pocket with pass rushers like Bosa and Melvin Ingram, and a ball hawking secondary, there is little reason to believe the Chargers can not put the offense in a great position to win the game by frustrating Rosen and newly appointed offensive coordinator, Byron Leftwich. On offense, the Chargers must use Gordon early and often. Arizona still has a pretty good defense, especially in the back end with players like Patrick Peterson and Deone Bucannon (ranked 4th in the league). However, the Cardinals are relatively weak against the run and rank only 28th in the NFL. The Chargers must use the run advantage to their strength and pound the ball with Gordon, a top running back in the league. With this, Rivers can use play action to set up big plays with deep threats like Mike and Tyrell Williams. One player to watch in this game is safety, Derwin James. As a hybrid defender who is asked to drop into coverage, cover running backs, and blitz from time to time, James is the most versatile player from the past year’s draft class. James has set the tempo for the Charger defense at many points this season and look for the potential Defensive Rookie of the Year to make a huge play for the Bolts’ defense such as a strip sack of Rosen or a huge interception at some point in the game.
Prediction: Cardinals (17) - Chargers (30)
Quarterback, Philip Rivers, hopes to rejoin the MVP conversation with a win this weekend against Arizona.
This weekend, the Chargers will not let down and provide a nice win over a team they should easily beat. However, the Cardinals will provide a solid fight on defense against the Chargers, at least for a few quarters. Chandler Jones is a tough player to block and the Chargers have a solid offensive line to protect Rivers, but he or Peterson will make a big play to keep the Cardinals in the game. Rosen won’t put up a big game, nor will David Johnson, and the Charger D will have a big game that contains the Cardinals’ offense, led by Bosa and James. However, Melvin Gordon III will be the biggest difference in the game. A career game by Gordon, with over 160 total yards and 2 TDs, will put the Chargers on top in this AFC vs NFC battle this weekend in Los Angeles.