The Los Angeles Chargers are hoping to have their first two-game winning streak of the season as they face the Green Bay Packers in Week 9. While the Chargers are expected to lose, Melvin Gordon is in line for a massive breakout performance against the Packers.
Back in Week 4, Gordon ended his holdout after remaining away from the team for a couple of months. Upon his return, he has yet to revert back to the running back that he was in the previous three seasons.
In his first four starts in 2019, the Chargers' running back has rushed for just 112 yards on 44 attempts. Above all, Gordon has averaged just 2.5 yards per attempt and he didn't score his first rushing touchdown until last week versus the Chicago Bears.
Nevertheless, Gordon is poised to have a productive outing against the Packers on Sunday. Everyone knows how the Packers pass defense is much-improved this season.
During the offseason, Green Bay spent $48 million in guaranteed money to bolster their pass defense. With the additions of Za'Darius Smith, Preston Smith, and Adrian Amos, the Packers have wreaked havoc on opposing offenses.
But as good as Green Bay's pass defense has been, their run defense has left a lot to be desired. Through the first eight weeks, the Packers own the 24th ranked run defense in the NFL; allowing 123.8 yards per game.
Along with the yards per game, the Packers are also allowing teams to average 4.8 yards per attempt (fifth-worst in the NFL). That bodes well for Gordon and the Chargers in Week 9.
Article Continues BelowThe Chargers are considered the home team in this game. But there will undoubtedly be plenty of Packers fans representing for the state of Wisconsin. In that case, Los Angeles will want to take the crowd out of it by controlling the time of possession.
Therefore, Gordon should see a healthy workload this Sunday. With more touches, Gordon should be able to get into a rhythm on the ground.
Again, Gordon has yet to play at the level that had him being considered one of the best players at his position this season. But in a favorable matchup in Week 9, he will show that he can still be an effective runner in the NFL.
As the home team, Los Angeles is currently 3.5 point underdogs to the Packers. For the Chargers to win, they'll need Gordon to aid Philip Rivers on the ground.
The Packers have surrendered over 100 rushing yards in five of their eight games. Provided that, expect Gordon to have his best game of the season on Sunday against Green Bay.