LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
2022 Record - 10-7
Head Coach - Brandon Staley
Offensive Rank - 9th (359 YPG); Scoring - 13th (23.0 PPG)
Defensive Rank - 20th (346 YPG); Scoring - 21st (22.6 PPG)
Quarterback Justin Herbert passed for 5,014 yards last season and had 38 touchdown passes and 15 interceptions. He recently signed a huge extension that ensures he will be the Chargers' starter for years to come. The running backs are Austin Ekeler (915 rushing yards, 4.5 YPC average and 13 TD along with 107 receptions for 722 yards and five TD), Joshua Kelley (287, 4.2 YPC, two TD) and Isaiah Spiller. Keenan Allen (66, 752, four TD), Mike Williams (63, 895, four TD), Joshua Palmer (72, 769, three TD), Jalen Guyton and rookie Quentin Johnston (TCU) are the wide receivers and the tight ends are Gerald Everett (58, 555, four TD) and Donald Parham, Jr.
The defense features Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack (eight QB sacks) at the linebacker/edge rush spots along with linemen Austin Johnson, Morgan Fox (6 1/2 sacks) and Sebastian Joseph-Day. Eric Kendricks and rookies Tuli Tuipulotu (USC) and Daiyan Henley (Washington State) will provide depth at linebacker. The secondary has All-Pro safety Derwin James (115 tackles), Alohi Gilman and corners Asante Samuel, Jr. and Michael Davis.
OUTLOOK FOR 2023 - The Chargers made it back to the playoffs for the first time in four years last season, but blew a 27-0 lead against Jacksonville in the wild card round and lost, 31-30 in a devastating way. Head Coach Brandon Staley knows this season has to be different with all the expectations for the team, especially with Justin Herbert signing the biggest contract in NFL history.
The offense can play with the best of them around the NFL and there are so many weapons for Herbert to utilize, starting with RB Austin Ekeler, who has been seeking a new contract this off-season. Ekeler excels as a receiver out of the backfield and along with the wideouts the Chargers have, presents many problems for opposing defenses. A noted improvement for the team would be improving the rushing attack this year as they ranked 30th in the league in that area last season.
The defense is up-and-down as they are top ten against the pass, but a woeful 28th stopping the run. The Chargers have to stuff the run or it could be more of the same this season with their defense giving up leads late in the game. After the debacle in the playoffs last year, it can go one of two ways for the Chargers in 2023 . . . either they can move forward in the playoffs and actually challenge for a Super Bowl berth or they can fall back in the standings and miss the playoffs. It's all up to them to make it happen in a positive way this season.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week One - vs. Miami
Week Two - at Tennessee
Week Three - at Minnesota
Week Four - vs. Las Vegas
Week Five - BYE
Week Six - vs. Dallas
Week Seven - at Kansas City
Week Eight - vs. Chicago
Week Nine - at N.Y. Jets
Week Ten - vs. Detroit
Week Eleven - at Green Bay
Week Twelve - vs. Baltimore
Week Thirteen - at New England
Week Fourteen - vs. Denver
Week Fifteen - at Las Vegas
Week Sixteen - vs. Buffalo
Week Seventeen - at Denver
Week Eighteen - vs. Kansas City
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