CHARGERS (7-3) vs. JAGUARS (5-4)
When: 10 a.m. PT Sunday
Where: EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville, Fla.
TV/Radio: CBS (Ch. 2); 640 AM/94.3 FM (Spanish)
Line: Chargers by 3
Notable injury designations
Chargers: QUESTIONABLE: T Bobby Hart (knee), WR Quentin Johnston (shin), FB/DL Scott Matlock (chest), S Elijah Molden (knee), CB Tarheeb Still (knee).
Jaguars: OUT: OL Anton Harrison (knee/ankle), CB Jourdan Lewis (neck), TE Hunter Long (hip/knee), TE Brenton Strange (hip); QUESTIONABLE: Brian Thomas Jr. (ankle).
What’s at stake: A victory for the Chargers would keep them in contention for the AFC West title and home-field advantage for a wild-card game in January, as opposed to going on the road for a game in winter conditions. It would also be a feel-good win going into their bye in Week 12, giving them a chance to rest and recover while preparing for the six-game sprint to the end of the regular season. Lastly, it would give the Chargers players who were on the team back then a payback of sorts to the Jaguars after a 31-30 wild-card loss after the 2022 season. Then again, who’s fault was it, anyway?
Who’s better: The Chargers are slight favorites to win, as they were going into their last game against the Jaguars, on Jan. 14, 2023. The Chargers are a far better, far deeper and better prepared team than the team that coughed up that 27-point first-half lead on that 45-degree night in Jacksonville. Justin Herbert has established himself as one of the elite quarterbacks in the NFL, and he has a standout group of targets from which to choose. The Jaguars don’t have much of a pass rush, which should give the Chargers’ injury-depleted offensive line a break and provide Herbert with ample time to pick out his receivers plus give running back Kimani Vidal room to run.
Matchup to watch: The Chargers haven’t given up 200 yards passing during their three-game winning streak. Trevor Lawrence is likely to test that streak, given his ability to find open targets and make things happen with his feet, too. The Chargers’ pass rush has been especially effective since Khalil Mack returned from injured reserve because of an elbow injury suffered in Week 2. He is one of four Chargers with four sacks or more, trailing only Tuli Tuipulotu, who has a team-leading eight.
Chargers win if: Leaning on their defense has been an effective game plan for the Chargers during victories the past three weeks against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans and Minnesota Vikings. The Chargers sacked Aaron Rodgers of the Steelers three times, Cam Ward of the Titans four times and Carson Wentz of the Vikings five times during their streak.
Fantasy sleeper: Coach Jim Harbaugh likes to call Vidal a No. 1 back, which, of course, he is because Najee Harris is out for the season because of an Achilles tendon injury, Omarion Hampton is on IR because of an ankle injury and Hassan Haskins is on IR because of a hamstring injury. So Vidal has become the top back by default. Funny thing, though. He has made the most of his opportunity, emerging as the Chargers’ leading rusher with 404 yards and two touchdowns on 91 carries in seven games.
Prediction: Jaguars 31, Chargers 30. Heh-heh. Just kidding. Don’t expect a repeat showing of the Chargers’ epic second-half collapse in their last visit to Jacksonville. These Chargers are not those Chargers. Jim Harbaugh is not Brandon Staley. Chargers 34, Jaguars 28.