5 bold predictions for Los Angeles Chargers in 2020

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 01: Running back Austin Ekeler #30 of the Los Angeles Chargers leads his team onto the field before a game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on December 1, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Chargers 23-20. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

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CARSON, CA – DECEMBER 15: Austin Ekeler #30 of the Los Angeles Chargers in action during the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Dignity Health Sports Park on December 15, 2019 in Carson, California. The Vikings defeated the Chargers 39-10. (Photo by Rob Leiter via Getty Images) /

3. Austin Ekeler will rush for over 1,000 yards

There will be some bright spots for the Chargers in the midst of a pretty bleak 2020 campaign. Ekeler’s production on the ground should be one of the team’s highlights.

Last season he split carries with Melvin Gordon en route to a modest rushing total of 557 yards on 132 rushing attempts. Gordon, of course, has departed via free agency. Justin Jackson or a yet to be determined rookie will still get a healthy share of carries in 2020, but Ekeler is going to get more of the work.

He’s got the talent to make some plays behind what shapes up to be a pretty good offensive line. The team’s dependence on the ground game will eat into his efficiency, but he still should be able to put up something close to five yards per carry.

That means he can break the 1,000 yard plateau if he gets more than 200 carries. It won’t always be pretty for Ekeler, but the production will be there in the end. This offense will be one of the weakest units in the NFL, but the blame for the struggles won’t be put at Ekeler’s door.

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