INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Led by its newly healthy defense, the Chargers host the Detroit Lions this Sunday with a chance to improve to their first winning record of the season.
L.A. held its last two opponents, the Tyson Bagent-led Bears and the Zach Wilson-led Jets, to nineteen total points, thanks to good play everywhere on defense. The line, led by the emergence of a healthy Joey Bosa, set a new season-high in sacks on Monday when they brought Wilson down eight times.
But Detroit’s high-flying offense will pose a unique challenge. The Lions rank second in the NFL in yards per game—behind only the Dolphins—and have accumulated the sixth-most rushing and passing yards per game this season.
Rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs has come into his own both as a rusher and receiver over the past two weeks, registering 315 total yards and two touchdowns. Free agent signing David Montgomery is also “trending the right way” towards playing on Sunday, according to head coach Dan Campbell.
“They do a really good job of forcing you to defend everybody on the field,” Staley said. “They have a lot of different guys who touch the football.”
Former Trojan Amon-Ra St. Brown has emerged as one of the premier receivers in the game, and the Lions’ offensive line has helped Jared Goff have one of his most productive seasons to date.
Rookie edge rusher (and another former Trojan) Tuli Tuipulotu broke out of his sack drought against New York, registering the first multi-sack game of his NFL career. After the game, Tulipulotu said he didn’t feel like a rookie anymore, a statement with which his coach agrees.
“He may be 21, but there’s a lot of wisdom in the way he plays already,” Staley said.
The 2022 FBS sack leader said he felt a change of energy in the Charger defensive unit thanks to a “celebration committee” started by defensive coordinator Derrick Ansley.
“When you see somebody make a play you shouldn’t just look at him like ‘good stuff’. You should go over there and give him that confidence, that energy boost because [when] you give him confidence, it gives you confidence,” Tuipulotu said.
Safety Alohi Gilman has provided a much-needed spark for the Chargers’ secondary since returning from injury. The former sixth-round pick forced a fumble and recovered another against New York, and was just two yards away from what would have been his first career touchdown.
“You see that trust that he creates for everybody else on the defense,” Staley said. “You’ve gotta be that quarterback back there that makes everybody play calm.”
On offense, L.A. will look for some improvement after a tough outing against one of the league’s best defenses in New York. Detroit, though, allows the fifth-fewest yards per game this season, with the second-best rushing defense.
Staley has emphasized the importance of establishing the run all season, but an air attack on Detroit will likely be necessary for the Chargers this weekend.
Fortunately, Keenan Allen is playing as well as anyone in powder blue. The 31-year-old reached 10,000 career receiving yards against New York with a fittingly absurd one-handed catch. Like so many of his receptions, it resulted in a third-down conversion for a Charger first down.
“He’s one of the best to ever do it, and I’m privileged and honored to be able to throw him the ball,” said Justin Herbert.
Along with Allen, the return to form for Austin Ekeler will be key for the Chargers as they try to keep up with the 6-2 Lions. While rushing opportunities may be limited, Ekeler remains one of the NFL’s best pass-catching backs.
After winning each of their last two games by multiple scores, L.A. will likely need to edge out a close game to win this weekend, a glaring weakness for the team in recent years. Detroit, however, hasn’t played a one-score game since Week 2, when it blew a fourth-quarter lead to lose in overtime to Seattle.
With all the defensive talent and momentum they have, I believe the Chargers can win this weekend. As 2.5-point underdogs at the time of writing, an upset would give L.A. its first winning record of the season.
The Chargers kick off at SoFi Stadium against the Lions at 1:05 p.m. Sunday.