LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
2021 Record - 9-8-0
Head Coach - Brandon Staley
New Additions - Khalil Mack (LB), J.C. Jackson (DB), Gerald Everett (TE), DeAndre Carter (WR), Austin Johnson (DL), Troy Reeder (LB), Sebastian Joseph-Day (DL)
Offensive Rank in 2021 - 5th (390 YPG); Scoring - 5th (27.9 PPG)
Defensive Rank in 2021 - 23rd (360 YPG); Scoring - 29th (27.0 PPG)
Justin Herbert is entering his third season in the NFL as the Chargers quarterback and he had a big year in 2021, passing for 5,014 yards with 38 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Running back Austin Ekeler put up impressive numbers while scoring 20 touchdowns (twelve rushing and eight receiving) and gaining 911 rushing yards (4.4 YPC average) along with 70 receptions for 647 yards. Josh Kelley and rookie Isaiah Spiller (Texas A & M) will spot Ekeler at times. The wide receivers feature Keenan Allen (106 receptions, 1,138 yards and six TD) and Mike Williams (76, 1,146, nine TD) along with Jalen Guyton (31, 448, three TD), Joshua Palmer (33, 353, three TD) and DeAndre Carter, who had 24 receptions for 296 yards and three scores with Washington last season. Gerald Everett comes over from Seattle this year to play tight end and he had 48 catches for 478 yards and four touchdowns last season.
Defensively, Joey Bosa had 10 1/2 quarterback sacks from the outside linebacker/rush end spot last season and this year Khalil Mack joins him on the opposite side. Austin Johnson and Sebastian Joseph-Day will play defensive tackle. In the secondary, Derwin James plays safety and he had 118 tackles in 2021 along with two interceptions. Asante Samuel, Jr. (two picks) and J.C. Jackson, who intercepted eight passes with New England last year, are the cornerbacks. Nasir Adderley is the other safety.
Outlook for 2022 season - The Chargers just missed making the AFC playoffs a year ago and Head Coach Brandon Staley was criticized for some strategies he employed in close losses, especially the final game of the season against the Raiders, which eliminated the Chargers from making the post-season.
However, there is renewed optimism for this team in 2022 as Herbert continues to shine among the best quarterbacks in pro football. Having so many weapons to use on offense should add up to a lot of scoring for the 'Bolts as they look to challenge Kansas City in the rugged AFC West division. The defense made some changes on the roster. Adding All-Pro corner J.C. Jackson to go along with Asante Samuel, Jr. and All-Pro safety Derwin James should help. The run defense looks to get a boost with new faces on the front line and with Bosa and Mack rushing the passer, the team will look to increase the sack total, which was 35 last season.
As long as Herbert and other key players stay healthy, this team should be good enough to make the playoffs. There can be no excuses this season for the Chargers as they could be a team that makes a deep run in the post-season, should they get there. Super Bowl possibilities may be a reach, but not completely out of the question.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week One - vs. Las Vegas
Week Two - at Kansas City
Week Three - vs. Jacksonville
Week Four - at Houston
Week Five - at Cleveland
Week Six - vs. Denver
Week Seven - vs. Seattle
Week Eight - BYE
Week Nine - at Atlanta
Week Ten - at San Francisco
Week Eleven - vs. Kansas City
Week Twelve - at Arizona
Week Thirteen - at Las Vegas
Week Fourteen - vs. Miami
Week Fifteen - vs. Tennessee
Week Sixteen - at Indianapolis
Week Seventeen - vs. L.A. Rams
Week Eighteen - at Denver
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