Game Preview, Week 1: Chargers at Washington
September 10, 2021
by Steve Thomas
Week one is here, everyone! Finally. There seems to be a sense of optimism amongst the fan base that doesn’t normally exist, and that’s a direct result of Ron Rivera’s presence and impact on the team. The Redskins the Washington Football Team WFT The Team those 7 other stupid names Washington has a very tough schedule, even moreso with the NFC East games stacked at the end of the year. The Chargers found their quarterback of the future last year in Justin Herbert and are therefore excited about the season. Los Angeles lost a bunch of close games early in the season, but got better at the year went on and as Herbert became more comfortable, culminating in a 4 game winning streak. Fortunately, this is a home game for Washington, so the team has a chance to start the season off on the right foot in what appears to be a tough, competitive battle to kick off the 2021 campaign. Enjoy week one, everybody. Our game preview starts below.
Game time & location: Sunday, September 12, 2021, 1:00 p.m. ET, Fed Ex Field, Raljon, Maryland; Gates open 11:00 a.m. ET; Red Zone parking lots open 8:00 a.m.; all other parking lots 9:00 a.m.
Television: CBS
Television announcers: Spero Dedes, Jay Feely
TV broadcast map: click here
DC-area radio: The Team 980
Washington radio network: click here
Chargers radio network: click here
Satellite radio: SiriusXM: 233 (Washington broad.) internet: 831 (Washington broad.)
Redskins roster: click here
Redskins depth chart: click here
Chargers roster: click here
Chargers depth chart: click here
All-time head-to-head record vs Chargers: 7 – 4 (last 5: 1 – 4; streak: 1 – 0)
Last meeting: L, December 10, 2017, 13 – 30
Early odds: Chargers, -1
3 KEYS TO THE GAME
Pressure Justin Herbert
Herbert finished last season on a roll and is the undisputed focal point of the Chargers’ offense. Washington’s vaunted defensive line needs to live up to their reputation and keep Herbert from dominating the game. The Chargers relied heavily on their passing game last year and had a poor run game, particularly when running back Austin Eckler was out due to injury. Expect Washington should try to establish the tone early and keep Herbert from having time to pick apart the secondary.
Establish the run
The offensive line wasn’t particularly impressive this preseason, and with Ron Rivera not giving Ryan Fitzpatrick and the receiving corps much time to gel in the offseason, Washington will likely have to rely on Antonio Gibson to establish the offense in week 1. The Chargers run defense wasn’t very good last year, allowing 4.5 yards per carry. Although they will probably be better this year with the arrival of new head coach Brandon Staley, the development of Kenneth Murray and others, the run game will be Washington’s best counter to what could be a dangerous Chargers pass rush.
Control the Chargers receivers
Los Angeles features one of the best receivers in the game in Keenan Allen, who had 147 targets last season, plus the 6’4”, 220 pound Mike Williams, and one of the league’s better tight ends in Jared Cook. The success of William Jackson II and Kendall Fuller in stopping these receivers – all of whom have size – will be perhaps the biggest key to a Washington week one win.
3 KEY MATCHUPS
Charles Leno and Samuel Cosmi vs Joey Bosa
Joey Bosa is a 3x Pro Bowler and one of the most talented pass rushers in the game. Bosa missed 4 games last season due to injuries, but is now fully healthy and will present a big challenge to Washington’s two new tackles. Leno and Cosmi must keep Bosa from going crazy and putting significant pressure on quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick.
William Jackson III and Kendall Fuller vs. Keenan Allen
Washington fans saw very little of Jackson this offseason, but the team’s new #1 corner faces a big-time opponent to start the season in the form of 4x Pro Bowler and Justin Herbert’s favorite target, Keenan Allen. Keeping Allen from dominating the game is important to Washington’s chances to win. Jackson, in particular, needs to provide lock down man coverage on Allen.
Chase Young vs. Rashawn Slater
Slater was the Chargers first round pick this year, selected 13th overall out of Northwestern in an effort to shore up the Chargers awful 2020 offensive line. Young will try to start off the season on a positive note and take advantage of the rookie. These two faced off in college, so this is a repeat engagement. This will be a fun matchup to watch, as Washington fans will expect Young to take advantage of the times when he is faced with Slater one on one.
OFFICIAL INJURY REPORT (active roster only) (starters in bold)
LP – limited practice FP – full practice DNP – did not practice
NIR – not injury related Q – questionable O – out
D – doubtful NL – not listed
| Washington | Chargers |
| WR C. Samuel, groin; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: to IR | RB A. Ekeler, hamstring; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: LP; game: Q |
| DB T. Marshall, ankle; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O | |
| T B. Bulaga, groin; Wed: FP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP | |
| FB G. Nabers, knee; Wed: FP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP |
TEAM STATISTICS
Washington:
From a statistical perspective, Washington’s offense last year obviously was not successful, with only 335 points scored (ranked 25th in the NFL), and ranked 30th in total yards, 25th in passing yards, 26th in rushing yards, and 28th in rushing yards per attempt. The quarterback situation is obviously different this season, so last year’s passing numbers aren’t relevant. 2020’s leading rusher, Antonio Gibson, averaged 4.7 yards per carry. Terry McLaurin was last year’s leading receiver with 87 receptions, 1,118 yards, and 4 touchdowns. Given Washington’s change at quarterback and the addition of multiple offensive weapons, it’s tough to use 2020 as any sort of reasonable guide for the team’s performance this season.
Defensively, Washington posted outstanding overall statistics – they were ranked 4th in points surrendered, 2nd in total yards, 2nd in passing yards, 6th in sacks, and 3rd in quarterback rating. They were slightly less successful against the run, giving up 4.2 yards per carry, which was ranked 11th in the NFL. This defense was very good in the red zone and on third downs, ranked 4th and 6th respectively. Unlike the offense, it’s reasonable to think that Washington’s statistical success last year can be in indicator of their performance in 2021.
Record: 7 – 9 (1st) (Home: 3 – 5; AFC: 2 – 2)
All-time franchise record: 610 – 612 – 28
Offense (2020)
| Offensive rankings | 25 (points) / 30 (total yards) / 30 (yards per game) / 31 (yards per play) / 25 (passing yards) / 30 (passing yards per att.) / 26 (rushing yards) / 28 (rushing yards per att.) |
| Points for | 335 |
| Yards per game | 317.2 |
| Passing
|
601 att (9th); 389 comp; 64.7% comp per. (21st); 6.3 Y/A; 3465 net yds; 16 TD; 16 Int |
| Passing leader | Smith (252 att (34th), 1582 yds (35th), 66.7% comp perc (114th), 6 TDs / 8 Int, 78.5 QB rating (31st) |
| Receiving leader | McLaurin (1118 yds (13th), 134 tgts (12th), 87 rec (18th), 4 TDs, 12.9 YPC(49th)) |
| Rushing | 400 att (25th); 1611 yds; 4.0 Y/A; 100.7 Y/G (26th); 18 TDs |
| Rushing leader | Gibson (170 att (18th), 795 yds (20th), 11 TDs (9th), 4.7 Y/A (19th), long 40) |
| Sacks surrendered / rank | 50 / 31 |
| Ave time of possession / rank | 29:54 / 18 |
| 3rd down conversion rate / rank | 39.11% / 23 |
| TD percentage in red zone / rank | 57.45% / 20 |
Defense (2020)
| Defensive rankings | 4 (points) / 2 (total yards) / 2 (yards per game surrendered) / 3 (yards per play) / 2 (passing yards) / 3 (passing yards per att.) / 14 (rushing yards) / 11 (rushing yards per att.) |
| Points against | 329 |
| Yards per game surrendered | 304.6 |
| Opponent’s passing | 529 att (4th); 330 comp; 62.4% comp perc. (3rd); 6.4 Y/A; 3068 net yds; 21 TDs; QB Rating 81.4 (3rd) |
| Opponent’s rushing | 428 att (16th); 1805 yds; 4.2 Y/A; 14 TDs; 112.8 Y/G (14th) |
| Sacks / rank / Sack leader | 47 / 6 / Sweat (9.0) |
| Tackles leader | Bostic (118) |
| Int / rank / Int leader | 16 / 6 / Fuller (4) |
| Opponent 3rd down conv rate / rank | 37.5% / 6 |
| Opponent TD percentage in red zone / rank | 53.49% / 4 |
Special Teams (2020)
| Kick returns | 20.8 Y/R (21st), 31 returns, long 46 yards (19th), 0 TDs |
| Punt returns | 5.7 Y/R (27th), 31 returns, long 22 yards (21st), 0 TDs |
| Kick return defense | 26.1 Y/R (27th), 9 returns (2nd), 0 TDs |
| Punt return defense | 5.8 Y/R (5th), 36 returns, 0 TDs |
| Punting | 48.0 Y/P (5th) |
Turnovers (lost by O / recv’d by D / net / rank) (2020): 27 / 23 / -4 / 24
Penalties (total accepted # / rank): 82 / 16 (2020): 87 / 17
Chargers:
The 2020 Chargers didn’t score a significant number of points – they were only ranked 19th in the NFL. They were a much better in the passing game than in the run. Justin Herbert passed for 4,336 yards, 66.6% completion percentage, 31 touchdowns, and a 98.3 quarterback rating. Keenan Allen was one of the top possession receivers in the NFL with 100 receptions and 8 touchdowns. The running game was unsuccessful as a whole, averaging just 3.8 yards per carry, although Austin Eckler individually was much better at 4.6 per carry despite being on injured reserve for 6 games.
Defensively, the 2020 Chargers were mediocre in some areas, allowing 426 points (ranked 23rd), and being ranked 21st in rushing yards per attempt at 4.5 yards per carry. They were above average in the red zone, allowing touchdowns on 58.18% of possessions, which was ranked 9th.
Record: 7 – 9 (3rd); Away: 3 – 5; NFC: 1 – 3)
All-time franchise record: 459 – 462 – 11
Offense (2020)
| Offensive rankings
|
19 (points) / 9 (total yards) / 10 (yards per game) / 20 (yards per play) / 6 (passing yards) / 17 (passing yards per att.) / 18 (rushing yards) / 30 (rushing yards per att.) |
| Points for | 384 |
| Yards per game | 382.1 |
| Passing | 627 att (5th); 413 comp; 65.9% comp per. (14th); 7.3 Y/A; 4329 net yds; 31 TDs; 10 Int |
| Passing leader | Herbert (595 att, 4336 yds, 66.6% comp per., 31 TDs / 10 Int, 98.3 QB rating (12th)) |
| Reception leader | Allen (992 yds (19th), 147 targets (5th), 100 rec (8th), 8 TDs (21st), 9.9 Y/C (112th)) |
| Rushing | 466 att (9th); 1784 yds; 3.8 Y/A; 111.5 Y/G (18th); 12 TDs |
| Rushing leader | Ekeler (116 att (42nd), 530 yds (38th), 1 TD (144th), 4.6 Y/A (23rd), long 27 yds (84th))) |
| Sacks surrendered / rank | 34 / 16 |
| Ave time of possession / rank | 31:39 / 4 |
| 3rd down conversion rate / rank | 44.20% / 10 |
| TD percentage in red zone / rank | 57.14% / 20 |
Defense
| Defensive rankings | 23 (points) / 10 (total yards) / 10 (yards per game surrendered) / 17 (yards per play) / 9 (passing yards) / 7 (passing yards per att.) / 18 (rushing yards) / 21 (rushing yards per att.) |
| Points against | 426 |
| Yards per game surrendered | 343.4 |
| Opponent’s passing | 543 att (12th); 340 comp; 62.6% comp per. (4th); 6.8 Y/A; 3578 net yds; 29 TDs; QB rating 91.4 (14th) |
| Opponent’s rushing | 427 att (14th); 1917 yds; 4.5 Y/A; 17 TDs |
| Sacks / rank / Sack leader | 27 / 25 / Bosa (7.5) |
| Tackles leader | Murray (107) |
| Int / rank / Int leader | 12 / 17 / Davis (3) |
| Opponent 3rd down conv rate / rank | 43.63% / 22 |
| Opponent TD percentage in red zone / rank | 58.18% / 9 |
Special Teams (2020)
| Kick returns | 22.0 Y/R (15th), 42 returns, long 76 yards (7th), 0 TDs |
| Punt returns | 5.6 Y/R (28th), 18 returns, long 30 yards (16th), 0 TDs |
| Kick return defense | 26.9 Y/R (29th), 34 returns, 0 TDs |
| Punt return defense | 15.2 Y/R (31st), 37 returns, 1 TDs |
| Punting | 44.5 Y/P (24th) |
Turnovers (lost by O / recv’d by D / net / rank) (2020): 16 / 19 / +3 / 15
Penalties (total accepted # / rank) (2020): 85 / 12
* Statistics courtesy of www.pro-football-reference.com, www.nflpenalties.com, www.nfl.com, www.teamrankings.com, www.espn.com, www.sportingcharts.com