New York Giants at Chargers: Who has the edge?

Giants (4-8) astatine Chargers (7-5)

When: Sunday, 1:05 p.m.

Where: SoFi Stadium

TV/Radio: Fox (Ch. 11); 98.7 FM; 105.5 FM/94.3 FM (Spanish); Sirius 81

Line: Chargers by 9 points

Notable wounded designations: Chargers: DT Justin Jones (questionable; ankle), CB Asante Samuel Jr. (out; concussion), S Alohi Gilman (out; quadricep), EDGE Kyler Fackrell (out; knee)

Giants: QB Daniel Jones (out; neck), WR Kadarius Toney (out; oblique), WR Kenny Golladay (questionable; rib), DB Adoree’ Jackson (out; quadricep), WR Sterling Shepard (questionable; quadricep), DL Danny Shelton (questionable; calf)

What’s astatine stake? A looming Thursday nighttime showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs for archetypal spot successful the AFC West. But the apical spot successful the part astir apt won’t beryllium up for grabs adjacent week if the Chargers don’t instrumentality attraction of concern against the Giants. The Chargers are coming disconnected a signature triumph implicit the Cincinnati Bengals and presently inhabit the 5th effect successful the AFC playoff standings. It was a implicit performance, but the Chargers haven’t won back-to-back games since starting the play 4-1.

Who’s better? The Chargers are amended due to the fact that the Giants volition beryllium starting a backup backmost with an interim violative coordinator. Freddie Kitchens, who precocious replaced Jason Garrett, volition beryllium calling plays for backmost Mike Glennon, who’s starting for the injured Daniel Jones. Glennon sustained a concussion past week against the Miami Dolphins, but helium was cleared to permission the concussion protocol. Glennon volition look a Chargers defence that features information Derwin James and borderline rusher Joey Bosa. The Chargers had 4 takeaways and six sacks against the Bengals past week, but they’ve struggled to find consistency this season. The Chargers’ discourtesy scored 41 points successful Cincinnati, but they’ll beryllium without prima wide receiver Keenan Allen due to the fact that he’s connected the COVID-19 reserve list.

Matchup to watch: Bosa vs. Giants near tackle Andrew Thomas. Bosa missed the last 3 quarters against the Bengals. He was evaluated for a concussion and was cleared to instrumentality to the game, but the Chargers decided to play it harmless and kept him connected the sideline. Bosa practiced the full week, and helium wasn’t listed connected the wounded report. He’ll apt spot a fewer snaps against Thomas, the No. 4 wide prime successful past year’s draft. It could beryllium a agelong time for Glennon if Bosa is successful the backfield often.

Chargers triumph if: … They leap to an aboriginal double-digit lead. The Chargers request a ascendant triumph against the struggling Giants and can’t place them due to the fact that of the showdown with the Chiefs, who play the Las Vegas Raiders connected Sunday. Ideally, the Chargers would emotion to spot backup backmost Chase Daniel successful the crippled during the 4th fourth due to the fact that they’re holding a commanding lead. But the Chargers person struggled to support double-digit leads. Last week, they had a 24-0 vantage but recovered themselves successful protecting a 24-22 pb successful the 3rd quarter. Then again, the Giants person Glennon starting astatine backmost and astir of their apical violative players are nursing injuries. They apt won’t person the firepower to make a comeback if the Chargers leap up early. An aboriginal pb would besides trim carries from Giants moving backmost Saquon Barkley.

Fantasy sleeper: Chargers wide receiver Jalen Guyton volition apt spot an summation successful targets with Allen sidelined. Guyton broke retired of his funk against the Bengals with 90 receiving yards, including a 44-yard touchdown. Chargers violative coordinator Joe Lombardi has mentioned aggregate times that helium wants to utilize Guyton’s speed. Herbert mightiness instrumentality a fewer heavy shots successful Guyton’s absorption aft past week’s success.

Prediction: The Chargers seldom marque it casual connected themselves erstwhile they’re dense favorites, but they’ll instrumentality attraction of business, screen the nine-point dispersed easy and cruise to a 38-14 victory.