Taking a look at three matchups to watch in the Los Angeles Chargers' Week 4 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks.
The Los Angeles Chargers have a ton of pressure to be able to pick up a win this week as they take on the Seattle Seahawks, based on the fact that the Chargers currently sit at 0-3.
As a result of being 0-3, the Chargers are behind the AFC West quite a bit and have some ground to make up, which has to start sooner rather than later, otherwise, this team could be in serious danger of missing the playoffs.
So, as the Chargers prepare to take on the Seahawks on Sunday, let's take a look at three key matchups.
1. Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu vs Abraham Lucas and Charles Cross
The first matchup to watch is the Chargers edge rusher duo of Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu going against the Seahawks pair of tackles in Abraham Lucas and Charles Cross.
Last week against the Buffalo Bills, Mack and Tuipulotu played very well and were able to generate a good amount of pressure as they combined for 2.5 sacks, two TFLs, and four quarterback hits. On the other side, Lucas and Cross did a great job last week as they did not allow a sack and gave quarterback Sam Darnold a great pocket all game long.
So, heading into Sunday, it will be interesting to see if the Chargers duo of Mack and Tuipulotu can generate heavy pressure again or if Lucas and Cross protect Darnold consistently. Regardless of which side wins this matchup, it wil be very entertaining to watch.
2. Chargers Secondary vs Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Next up is the Chargers secondary covering Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba on Sunday afternoon.
In Week 3, Smith-Njigba dominated the Washington Commanders as he totaled 10 receptions for 128 yards and two touchdowns on 14 targets. When it comes to the Chargers' secondary, they had a great performance as they held Josh Allen to 204 passing yards, and rookie safety Genesis Smith picked him off twice.
With all that in mind, it will be worth watching how the Chargers decide to cover JSN and whether or not Los Angeles can shut him down, or if Smith-Njigba completely takes over the game on Sunday.
3. Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater vs Leonard Williams and Demarcus Lawrence
The final matchup to watch is the Chargers' offensive tackle duo of Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater going against Seattle's great edge rusher pair of Leonard Williams and Demarcus Lawrence.
During the game in Buffalo last week, Alt, Slater and the entire offensive line struggled as they allowed quarterback Justin Herbert to get sacked twice and get hit a total of eight times. It was a different story for Seattle as Williams and Lawrence dominated while combining for one sacks, three TFLs, and six quarterback hits against the Commanders.
As a result of the performances on both sides last week, it will be interesting to see if Alt and Slater can respond and play much better, because if they cannot, Williams and Lawrence have the ability to take over this game and make it a very rough day for Herbert and this Chargers offense.
