(Photo Credit: Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Key Players Returning:
QB Justin Herbert, RB Austin Ekeler, WR/PR Keenan Allen, WR Joshua Palmer, WR Mike Williams, TE Gerald Everett, OC Corey Linsley, OG Zion Johnson, OT Trey Pipkins III, OT Rashawn Slater, DE Morgan Fox, NT Sebastian Joseph-Day, LB Joey Bosa, LB Khalil Mack, LB Kenneth Murray Jr., CB Michael Davis, CB Asante Samuel Jr., FS Alohi Gilman, SS Derwin James Jr., PK Cameron Dicker and PT JK Scott.
Key Players Departing:
OG Matt Feiler (Buccaneers), DT Breiden Fehoko (Steelers), LB Drue Tranquill (Chiefs), LB Kyle Van Noy (UFA), CB Bryce Callahan (UFA), FS Nasir Adderley (Chargers) and KR/PR DeAndre Carter (Raiders).
Key Players Added:
LB Eric Kendricks (Vikings).
Draft Picks:
Round 1: Pick 021 – WR Quentin Johnston (TCU)
Round 2: Pick 054 – EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu (USC)
Round 3: Pick 085 – LB Daiyan Henley (Washington State)
Round 4: Pick 125 – WR Derius Davis (TCU)
Round 5: Pick 156 – OT Jordan McFadden (Clemson)
Round 6: Pick 200 – DT Scott Matlock (Boise State)
Round 7: Pick 239 – QB Max Duggan (TCU)
2022 Results:
W01 RAIDERS W 24-19
W02 @ Chiefs L 24-27
W03 JAGUARS L 10-38
W04 @ Texans W 34-24
W05 @ Browns W 30-28
W06 BRONCOS W | OT 19-16
W07 SEAHAWKS L 23-37
W09 @ Falcons W 20-17
W10 @ 49ers L 16-22
W11 CHIEFS L 27-30
W12 @ Cardinals W 25-24
W13 @ Raiders L 20-27
W14 DOLPHINS W 23-17
W15 TITANS W 17-14
W16 @ Colts W 20-3
W17 RAMS W 31-10
W18 @ Broncos L 28-31
WC @ Jaguars L 30-31
Team Info:
2022 Overall: 10-7 (2nd in AFC West)
Home: 5-3
Away: 5-4
West: 2-4
AFC: 7-5
NFC: 3-2
Head Coach: Brandon Staley
LA Chargers: 19-16
Career: 19-16
Playoffs: 0-1
Returning Statistical Leaders:
Passing: Justin Herbert (477-699, 4739 yards, 68.2%, 6.8 avg., 25 TD, 10 Int.)
Rushing: Austin Ekeler (204 car., 915 yards, 4.5 avg., 13 TD)
Receiving: Austin Ekeler (107 rec., 722 yards, 6.7 avg., 5 TD)
Yards After Catch: Austin Ekeler (857)
TD’s Scored: Austin Ekeler (18)
Sacks: Khalil Mack (8)
Tackles: Derwin James Jr. (115)
Interceptions: Derwin James Jr./Asante Samuel Jr. (2)
Pass Deflections: Michael Davis (15)
Tackles For Loss: Khalil Mack (12)
Forced Fumbles: Derwin James Jr./Khalil Mack (2)
Kick Returns: Joshua Kelley (1 ret., 15 yards, 15.0 avg., 0 TD)
Punt Returns: None
Kicking: Cameron Dicker (19-20 fg/fga., 95%, 22-22 xp/xpa., 108 pts.)
Punting: JK Scott (73 punts, 3186 yards, 43.6 avg., 28 in20)
Projected Offensive Starters:
QB: 10 Justin Herbert
RB: 30 Austin Ekeler
WR: 81 Mike Williams
WR: 1 Quentin Johnston |R|
WR: 13 Keenan Allen
TE: 7 Gerald Everett
LT: 70 Rashawn Slater
LG: 77 Zion Johnson
OC: 63 Corey Linsley
RG: 68 Jamaree Salyer
RT: 79 Trey Pipkins III
KR: 12 Derius Davis
PK: 11 Cameron Dicker
Projected Defensive Starters:
DE: 56 Morgan Fox
NT: 51 Sebastian Joseph-Day
DE: 98 Austin Johnson
LB: 52 Khalil Mack
LB: 9 Kenneth Murray Jr.
LB: 6 Eric Kendricks
LB: 97 Joey Bosa
CB: 26 Asante Samuel Jr.
CB: 43 Michael Davis
FS: 32 Alohi Gilman
SS: 33 Derwin James Jr.
PR: 12 Derius Davis
PT: 16 JK Scott
Team Grades:
Offense
Quarterbacks: A
Running Backs: B
Wide Receivers: B
Offensive Line: B
Defense
Defensive Line: B
Linebackers: A
Secondary: A
Special Teams
Kick Returners: C
Punt Returners: C
Kickers: A
Punters: B
Schedule:
09/10 DOLPHINS | Los Angeles trails the series 17-19. The Chargers are 3-5 since 2013 and their last series loss (21-29) was in 2020.
09/17 @ Titans | Los Angeles leads the series 21-12-1. The Chargers are 3-2 since 2013 and their last series loss (20-23) was in 2019.
09/24 @ Vikings | Los Angeles trails the series 6-8. The Chargers lost (20-27) the last meeting between teams in 2021.
10/01 RAIDERS | Los Angeles trails the series 48-65-2. The Chargers are 10-10 since 2013 and their series regular season home loss (32-35 OT) was in 2021.
10/16 COWBOYS | Los Angeles trails the series 5-7. The Chargers lost (17-20) the last meeting between teams in 2021.
10/22 @ Chiefs | Los Angeles trails the series 51-63. The Chargers are 5-15 since 2013 and their last series road win (30-24) was in 2021.
10/29 BEARS | Los Angeles trails the series 5-7. The Chargers won (17-16) the last meeting between teams in 2019.
11/06 @ Jets | The series is tied 13-13. The Chargers won (34-28) the last meeting between teams in 2020.
11/12 LIONS | Los Angeles leads the series 7-5. The Chargers lost (10-13) the last meeting between teams in 2019.
11/19 @ Packers | Los Angeles trails the series 2-10. The Chargers won (26-11) the last meeting between teams in 2019.
11/26 RAVENS | Los Angles trails the series 6-8. The Chargers lost (6-34) the last meeting between teams in 2021.
12/03 @ Patriots | Los Angeles trails the series 9-21-1. The Chargers lost (24-27) the last meeting between teams in 2021.
12/10 BRONCOS | Los Angeles trails the series 46-68-1. The Chargers are 7-14 since 2013 and their last series home loss (13-20) was in 2019.
12/14 @ RAIDERS | The Chargers last series road win (30-27) was in 2020.
12/23 BILLS | Los Angeles leads the series 19-6-1. The Chargers lost (17-27) the last meeting between teams in 2020.
12/31 @ Broncos | The Chargers last series road win (23-9) was in 2018.
01/07 CHIEFS | The Chargers last series home win (27-24) was in 2013.
Predictions:
Home: 6-3
Road: 5-3
West: 4-2
AFC: 8-4
NFC: 3-2
Overall: 11-6 (1st in AFC West – Eliminated by Jaguars in Divisional Round)
Series Histories: Histories are from the inception of the first Super Bowl season through present day. Meetings prior to 1966 are not included. Playoff wins are included in the year the season took place. For example, if a team won a wildcard game in January of 2023, the game will be listed under the 2022 season.
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