The Chargers play football this week and as of writing this, we’re almost 24 hours away from kickoff in Brazil.
It cannot come soon enough!
As we always do here at BFTB before each week’s contest, here are three things to watch for when the Chargers take the field against the Chiefs in Brazil!
1.) How will the run game look against one of the league’s best defenses out of the gate? Just how many snaps will Najee Harris see?
Jim Harbaugh confirmed to the media on Thursday morning that rookie running back
Omarion Hampton will get the start against the Chiefs over veteran Najee Harris. This was the expectation following all the time missed by Harris due to his eye injury during camp, but now we officially have it confirmed. Harbaugh also told reporters on Wednesday Harris will certainly play on Friday night, but could not speak to just how many snaps he’ll see.
With that in mind, on top of the Chargers going into the opener with an offensive line starter already lost for the season (Rashan Slater), one can only wonder if the run game will look any different — or hopefully better — than it did a season ago with J.K. Dobbins leading the charge.
Hampton is a different back than Dobbins. He’s bigger and stronger and may even have the same breakaway speed to som degree, but will that be enough to overcome a line combination that hasn’t had that long to gel together?
And depending on how fast the game does or does not go in the Chargers’ favor, will quickly will the team pivot back to Justin Herbert Hero Ball mode instead of continuing to grind out tough yards on the ground? And then how will that affect Harris’ snaps overall, as well?
I have a lot of questions here but they unfortunately cannot be answered until after kickoff. But here’s to hoping they find a way to over-perform out of the gates.
2.) How will the passing game look with both Keenan Allen and Ladd McConkey on the field?
McConkey showed as a rookie that he can play everywhere along the offensive formation, but analysts still insist he’s best in the slot (and that very well could be the case). However, now that Allen is back in the fold (also a slot savant), how will the two be utilized together on the field? Will McConkey be defaulted to the outside when Allen is on the field? Will they actually mix and match them to maximize mismatches pre-snap?
I’m most excited to see what Greg Roman does with these two on crucial “got-to-have-it” downs as both have shown they can win one-on-one consistently. Defenses can’t double both without leaving someone else running free, right? Or at least that’s what we hope to be true.
I don’t know just yet if this is the best receiver room Herbert has ever had in his professional career, but I do believe that it could have one of, if not, the highest ceiling. It feels very “complete” with complementary skillsets throughout. Everyone has what they’re best at and it’ll be up to Roman to put those guys in the best position possible to maximize what they do best.
3.) How will a new-look cornerback room fair against the Chiefs passing attack?
The Chiefs passing attack will always be extremely dangerous as long as they have at least one “speedster” in the group. However, Kansas City will have two on the field on Friday night with both second-year wideout Xavier Worthy and veteran Hollywood Brown finally healthy. Still is not the fastest defender but he thrives in anticipating route concepts and closing on the ball in zone coverage. Jackson has the speed to keep up with most speedsters in the NFL but he allowed receptions on targets his way to be completed at a 61.3 percent clip. Also, nearly half his yards allowed in coverage (508) were allowed after the catch (241) which shows a lack of finishing the play while in position. In fact, this is theme is solidified by an abysmal 33.4 tackling grade, per PFF.
Cam Hart is nearly a co-starter with Jackson when the Chargers defense runs 3-corner personnel packages so he will likely see plenty of run on Fridyay night as well. Behind him is veteran and free-agent signing Benjamin St-Juste who has his moments but overall can cost a team immensely with penalties (had nine in 2024).
Jesse Minter truly will have his work cut out for him in this season opener.
