On Sunday, the Detroit Lions (0-0-1) will host the Los Angeles Chargers (1-0) in their first matchup since 2015. While both teams didn't taste defeat last weekend, Detroit is hungry for its first win of the season after watching a big lead against the Arizona Cardinals slip away. As for the Chargers, they continue to make their case as a Super Bowl-caliber team.
Let's take a look at four bold predictions for their matchup on Sunday.
T.J. Hockenson records two touchdowns
T.J. Hockenson had as good an NFL debut as he could have wished for, recording 131 yards and a score on six receptions. Don't expect that to stop anytime soon.
Though the Chargers' defense was effective in shutting down Eric Ebron and Jack Doyle last Sunday, Hockenson is a whole new monster for them to deal with. While he is an excellent run-blocker, he's also a high-level pass-catcher who runs with a bit of juice; essentially, he is a mixture of Ebron and Doyle in one player.
Rather than focusing on Ebron as a pass-catcher and Doyle as a blocker or an option off play-action, the Chargers' defense will have to deal with both aspects in Hockenson. Without Derwin James, it's hard to envision them locking him down completely. Instead, Hockenson may top last week's standout performance.
Lions' defensive line contains Chargers' run game for under 75 yards
Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson combined for 115 yards against Indianapolis. Don't expect the Lions to allow the same.
With Damon Harrison, Mike Daniels, A'Shawn Robinson, Trey Flowers, and De'Shawn Hand calling Detroit home, the Chargers' run offense will struggle against one of the NFL's most talented and biggest defensive lines. That is magnified considering Los Angeles's weak offensive line, which is anything but a sure thing.
Ekeler and Jackson may have to resort to pass-catching against the Lions' stout defensive line.
Philip Rivers and Mathew Stafford perform a shootout
Philip Rivers, a gunslinger, and Mathew Stafford, a gunslinger, are in prime position to have a classic shootout in Motown.
While the Lions may force the Chargers to shift from a run-heavy approach to a pass-heavy one, Stafford may be forced to keep up with the opponent, which he is more than capable of doing. Though the Lions are focused on being a more run-orientated squad, taking advantage of a Chargers secondary riddled with injuries is in their best interests.
On Detroit's side, expect to see Stafford throw out of play-action quite a bit. Rivers? Not so much. If the Lions grind Los Angeles's running game to a halt, Chargers coach Anthony Lynn — who isn't afraid of the pass — will surely utilize his all-time-great quarterback.
Both teams go to overtime for the second straight week
Along with Rivers and Stafford getting in a shootout, let's predict an overtime showdown between the two teams; both teams went to OT the week before, with Los Angeles winning and Detroit tying.
The Chargers may get a lead in the second half, but it might not stay that way; as mentioned previously, Detroit's defensive line could force Rivers to pass the ball late rather than run. Detroit's motivation to avoid back-to-back weeks without a win, despite revamping the roster heavily in the offseason, will get the Lions going.
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