Chargers vs Panthers: A Clash of Offenses and Bold Predictions
Chargers vs Panthers: Preview of a Key NFL Matchup
The Chargers are hitting the road for the first time in 2024 as they look to continue their strong start to the season.
And with a battle against the Panthers on the way, members of ESPN’s NFL staff took a deeper look at the matchup this weekend, which has a couple of intriguing storylines ahead.
The biggest one comes on the ground where the team is coming off a big Week 1.
- The Bolts rushed for 176 yards on 27 carries (6.5 yards per rush) and a touchdown.
- In the second half, J.K. Dobbins’ long rushes of 46 and 61 yards provided the Bolts offense with much-needed momentum.
On the flip side, the Panthers gave up 180 rushing yards on 37 attempts (4.9 yards per rush) and two touchdowns in their Week 1 loss against the Saints.
It’s no secret that the Chargers want to be a bruising offense on the ground, and ESPN analyst Seth Walder’s bold prediction for this week’s game has them running the ball quite a bit.
Walder wrote:
- At one point in the first three quarters, the Chargers will run 10 consecutive running plays.
- Coach Harbaugh wants to run the ball and the Panthers — who ranked last in EPA per designed rush allowed last week — will give them every opportunity.
According to ESPN’s Football Power Index, the Chargers have a 66 percent chance of winning in Carolina, good for the second-highest percentage by any team across the Week 2 slate.
Three of their NFL analysts — Kalyn Kahler, Eric Moody, and Walder — also picked the Bolts, each predicting a win of at least 15 points.
For ESPN’s Kris Rhim, he has his eye on something the Bolts haven’t achieved in a dozen years.
Rhim wrote:
- The Chargers are looking to start 2-0 for the first time since 2012.
- However, L.A. has a 1-6 record against Carolina, with its only win coming in 2004.
- The Chargers' last game against the Panthers came during QB Justin Herbert's rookie season, when he threw for 330 yards and one touchdown.
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