The LA Chargers come into this game at 1-0 and committed to the run game under new coach Jim Harbaugh. This week they go on the road to face a vulnerable Panthers team, who was soundly defeated 47-10 in week 1, and is beat up and looking for answers.
Last week, in a grinding 22-10 victory over the LV Raiders, the Chargers rushed 27 times for 176 yards behind a rebuilt offensive line led by Notre Dame rookie, Joseph Alt. The Chargers feature two backs, Ohio State product JK Dobbins (135 yards), who looked sharp after missing last season with an Achilles injury, and former Ravens banger Gus Edwards.
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The Panthers are reeling after another poor performance from second-year QB Bryce Young, but more importantly, a now short-handed squad to stop the run. Big Derrick Brown, The top-ranked run-stopping DT in the league (Run Stop Win Rate 47%) was lost for the season to a knee injury last week. His absence may prove devastating for their prospects in this game and throughout the season to slow down opponent rushing attacks.
In addition to Brown, the Panthers also lost sixth-round pick from Mississippi State Defensive Tackle, Jaden Crumedy, for the season in late August, and hopeful contributor from Oregon Defensive Tackle, Popo Aumava, was also lost early in camp to injury. The Panthers’ interior defensive line is very thin for Week 2 and has lost their run-stopping anchor. ⚓
The Trends:
- Week 1: The Chargers rushed for 6.5 yards per carry, a vast increase from 3.8 in 2023.
- Carolina allowed 4.9 YPC in Week 1, compared to 4.1 in 2023 (12th) with a healthy Derrick Brown.
- Carolina allowed 13 first downs via the rush in Week 1, which could contribute to increased Time of Possession and total plays for the Chargers.
- The Chargers are 5-point favorites, with potential for a positive 4th-quarter game script leaning toward rushing plays.
- During Harbaugh’s previous coaching tenure in SF (2011-2014), his teams consistently ranked in the top half and often in the top 5/10 in Rushing Attempts, Yards Per Rush, and Rushing Yards/Game.
