With Hampton sidelined, a new Chargers hero must emerge. Can Vidal carry the load against New England's defense?
The Los Angeles Chargers will be squaring off with the New England Patriots in just a few days with a chance to change the entire narrative surrounding Justin Herbert as a playoff performer. Unfortunately, they may have to do it without star rookie running back Omarion Hampton. Hampton was listed as a non-participant at practice with an ankle injury different from the one he suffered against the Washington Commanders that sidelined him for a large portion of the season. This Chargers season of injuries just cannot seem to turn itself around even when the Bolts need it most. Hampton appeared to injure his right ankle when he rolled it against the Houston Texans in the week 17 loss.
While the cards are stacked against them, this injury does not spell total doom for the Chargers. Will things be more difficult? Absolutely. But this is exactly what running back Kimani Vidal has been building toward all season. The Patriots are not the worst run defense in the league, but they are nowhere near the best. If there was ever a chance for Vidal to be the unexpected hero outside of Justin Herbert, this might be it.
Vidal has shown all season long that he refuses to go down on first contact. He may not be the freak athlete Hampton is, but he is tough as nails. In a frigid nighttime playoff game in New England, Vidal grinding out extra yards can be the difference between punting on 4th and 2 or extending a drive that ends in points. Even drives that end in field goals or stall out will give the defense a chance to breathe against a Maye and McDaniel offense that never stops coming.
This game may feel impossible to win if Hampton can’t suit up, but this roster is as battle tested as any in the league. New England better not let the powder blues fool them. The Chargers are going to fight like hell, and they have as good a chance to win this game as anyone wants to admit.
Can they put it all together and earn the first playoff win of the Herbert and Harbaugh era? Can they set up a rematch with a Denver team they’ve matched up well against this season, even in a 19-3 loss where the defense dominated? The lights will be bright on Sunday night, and the world is about to find out exactly what this Chargers team is made of.