Week 9 Preview: Green Bay Packers at Los Angeles Chargers
The Packers head into week nine riding a four-game winning streak, scoring at least 30 in three of those contests. At 7-1, they face the 3-5 Los Angeles Chargers, who snapped a three-game skid with a 17-16 road win against the Bears.
Green Bay is averaging 26.9 points per game, good for seventh best in the NFL. The Chargers are averaging just 19.6 per game, 23rd in the league. On defense, the Chargers are 10th allowing 19.6 while the Packers are tied at 11th allowing 20.4 per game.
Aaron Rodgers is putting together another outstanding season, throwing for 2324 yards and 16 touchdowns, while being intercepted only twice. Favorite target Davante Adams has missed the last four games with a toe injury and is listed as a game-time decision. Marquez Valdes-Scantling has 22 receptions for 420 yards and two score. Running back Aaron Jones and tight end Jimmy Graham has each found the endzone three times in the passing game, while running back Jamaal Williams leads with four receiving scores.
On the ground the Packers are paced by Aaron Jones, who has rushed for 466 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 4.1 per attempt. Jamaal Williams has contributed 218 yards and 4.4 per carry.
Defensively, Preston Smith and Za’Darius smith lead the pass rush with a combined 15 of the teams 20 sacks. Green Bay has intercepted opposing quarterbacks eight times and forced eight fumbles.
For the Chargers, they are led by quarterback Philip Rivers, who has thrown for 2315 yards and 12 touchdowns, but has been intercepted seven times. Keenan Allen and running back Austin Ekeler each have 51 receptions. Ekeler leads the team with five receiving touchdowns and Allen tops the team with 617 receiving yards.
The Chargers have been poor on the ground, averaging only 69.5 yards per game. Ekeler leads the team with 251 yards and three scores, averaging just 3.5 per attempt. Melvin Gordon has been limited in games and in production, totaling just 112 yards on 2.5 per carry.
On the defensive side of the ball, Joey Bosa is having a fine season, leading the team with seven sacks. As a team the Chargers have 18 sacks, seven interceptions and five forced fumbles.
The Packers have been more consistent in the kicking game. Mason Crosby has converted 11-of-12 attempts. Punter Ty Long handled the kicking duties for some time, hitting 7-of-9 and now Chase McLaughlin is doing the kicking, but has converted on only 6-of-9 attempts.
Oct 6, 2019; Arlington, TX, USA; Green Bay Packers cornerback Will Redmond (25) and cornerback Jaire Alexander (23) celebrate a missed field goal in the fourth quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Update: Packers are T-11th in defensive points, not 10th.
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Ed…take another peak at those defensive scoring rankings.
They can both be 10th.
True…except when they aren’t.
After 3 games, the Packers were 3rd at 11.6 PPG, behind the Patriots and 49ers. Since then, we’re at 25.6 PPG. Last season we were at 25 PPG. So we are ahead and making progress, but it’s largely based on those first 3 games. Looking at stats is easy, it’s another matter to understand them.
Proofreading is important y’all. Anyways, this should be an easy game, the chargers most explosive receiver is banged up (Mike Williams). Hunter Henry is a concern, but he would have to have an enormous game for the chargers to win
Proofreading is important, y’all. Anyways, this should be an easy game; the Chargers’ most explosive receiver is banged up….
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Yeah, I agree. ;)