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The first one Chargers game of the 2021 season – and the Bradon Staley era – is now less than 24 hours away.
It’s almost hard to believe, but here we are.
Unsurprisingly, the guys and I had a lot to say about today’s game for this week’s Predictions Roundtable.
Hope you have some time to kill. Enjoy!
Michael Peterson: Unfortunately, the first clash of the Brandon Staley era will be far from fun. The Washington football team just won a division crown a year ago – but with a 7-9 record – and will only have one more year of experience. A defensive line full of first-round picks, a rising double threat and one of the best young receivers in the league are just a few reasons not to take this team lightly.
However, the Chargers face a lot of “new things” this season. They have a new head coach, four new offensive linemen, a new tight end and two new systems that each side of the ball is still in the process of mastering. No one has had the chance to see the starters during the preseason, which means no one has a clue of what this team actually looks like outside of their own training structure.
Despite all the unknowns, there is no shortage of hype.
I think this match will be close. Closer than we probably would all like, if we’re being honest. But the bona fide Chargers superstars will make a difference in this one, as Joey Bosa and Derwin James feast on an inconsistent quarterback and a middling offensive line. If the newly revamped offensive line is what it should be, that defensive line won’t look so scary. Expect short passing concepts as Herbert tries to ease the pass rush (much like Tom Brady in that 2019 playoff game).
I hate to say it, but I think this game boils down to a field goal. My gut says 27-24 chargers. The Staley regime is struck by victory.
Matthieu Stanley: This one is quite difficult to predict. In attack, the Chargers have 4 new holders on OL, a new WR 3, and a new starting TE. And that doesn’t even mention the new offense these players are learning which has been put in place by a new offensive coordinator and a new head coach. However, on paper these new starters are all upgrades (aside from maybe TE which is closer to an even trade), and the offense still continues through the offensive rookie of the year. 2020, Justin Herbert. I would expect a slow start, as the vast majority of starters have only played a handful of snaps or not at all during the preseason.
In defense, once again, the Chargers will play a new defensive scheme, a very complicated and revolutionary scheme, they start a (very talented) rookie at CB2, and 2 important starters (Derwin James and Drue Tranquill) return from injuries that cost the whole season last year.
Combine all of that with the fact that they’re playing on the East Coast with the fact that Austin Ekeler and Bryan Bulaga aren’t 100%, and there are a lot of legitimate reasons to be somewhat pessimistic.
But you know what, “To hell with the torpedoes!” I think the Chargers win this game. The offense should be able to move the ball despite a talented defense from the Washington football team. In defense, the Chargers are getting a bit of help with WFT putting Curtis Samuel on the IR today and Antonio Gibson still maybe not 100%. Ryan Fitzmagic is still a threat, but the Chargers’ passing runners will face a rookie in Sam Cosmi and Charles Leno Jr who is 29 and entering his 8th year in the NFL (although he has made a considerable performance leap in the last year noting PFF, jumping from the 87th tackle in 2019 to the 28th in 2020 for the Chicago Bear).
With all that considered, the Chargers win this one 27-20, mostly based on my hopes and dreams after reading all the in-depth articles on the new coaching staff and Justin Herbert this offseason.
Garrett Sisti: With WFT missing their new slots catcher Curtis Samuel, the Redskins will try to build on the running game early on, but I think the Chargers will take an early lead and Washington is going to have to ventilate. While I think the Chargers take the lead early, I also think the WFT defense will put on the brakes late which will make it a close game on the home stretch. Austin Ekeler will play Sunday and get 2 touchdowns (1 in the air and 1 on the ground) and on the other side, Terry McLaurin will get 20 targets and eclipse 100 yards in reception. The game will be played on the wire with the Chargers’ defense knocking out Ryan Fitzpatrick for the win. Head coach Brandon Staley scores his first 20-17 victory.
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