Chargers at Washington Football Team: Who has the edge?

Chargers astatine Washington Football Team

When: Sunday, 10 a.m.

Where: FedExField

TV/Radio: CBS (Ch. 2); 98.7 FM; 105.5 FM/94.3 FM (Spanish); Sirius 108

Line: Washington by 1 constituent

Notable wounded designations: Chargers: RB Austin Ekeler (questionable; hamstring), DB Trey Marshall (out; ankle)

Washington: WR Curtis Samuel (out; groin)

What’s astatine stake? A accidental for the Chargers to statesman connected a winning enactment with a pugnacious docket successful the archetypal six games. Washington is the archetypal of 4 games successful six weeks against playoff teams from past season. The Chargers look the Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, Cleveland Browns and the Baltimore Ravens earlier their Week 7 bye. But leaving Washington with a triumph won’t beryllium casual against an emerging defence and an discourtesy that tin get blistery successful a hurry.

Who’s better? The Chargers person a balanced squad with playmakers connected some sides of the shot and person the backmost borderline with Justin Herbert. Washington backmost Ryan Fitzpatrick is susceptible of getting blistery successful immoderate game, but his assertive downfield attack has outgo him galore turnovers successful his 17-year career. If Fitzpatrick is forcing the ball, that could make takeaway opportunities for information Derwin James, who is expected to play successful his archetypal crippled since 2019. Washington has the vantage connected the antiaircraft enactment but has question marks successful the secondary.

Matchup to watch: All eyes volition beryllium connected Chargers rookie near tackle Rashawn Slater versus Washington prima borderline rusher Chase Young. They had memorable battles successful assemblage erstwhile Slater was astatine Northwestern and Young astatine Ohio State. Slater got the champion of Young successful college, but Young is an established NFL borderline rusher. Slater, the team’s No. 13 wide pick, volition beryllium making his NFL debut Sunday. Young volition apt beryllium itching to amusement Slater what he’s learned since college.

Chargers triumph if: … Bulaga plays the full crippled and is simply a reliable starting close tackle. The Chargers’ seasoned violative tackle missed practices successful grooming campy due to the fact that of a hep and groin injury, but helium practiced afloat the full week. Bulaga, however, can’t bash what helium did past twelvemonth erstwhile helium near games aboriginal due to the fact that of injuries. Slater volition person his hands afloat with Young and Montez Sweat and volition request assistance connected the different extremity of the violative line. The Chargers volition besides request their caller interior violative linemen – Corey Linsley, Matt Feiler and Oday Aboushi – to measurement up against antiaircraft tackles Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne.

Fantasy sleeper: Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams could person a productive Week 1 against a fishy Washington secondary. Keenan Allen volition apt beryllium doubled often successful coverage, which could make opportunities for Williams. The Washington cornerbacks are Kendall Fuller and William Jackson III. Williams was dealing with a hep wounded successful grooming camp, but he’s not connected the wounded study and has practiced the past 2 weeks.

Prediction: This volition beryllium a bully trial for Brandon Staley’s caput coaching debut and arsenic the Chargers’ antiaircraft play-caller. But Staley has borderline rusher Joey Bosa and a steadfast James connected his broadside to incorporate Washington’s playmakers. Expect the Chargers’ violative enactment to person occupation successful a low-scoring game, but Herbert volition assistance them with a game-winning drive. The Chargers triumph the play opener, 20-17, successful the nation’s capital.