Los Angeles Chargers 2020 schedule predictions: Picking every game

Weeks 5-8

When one of the best teams in football faces an inferior opponent, nine times out of ten the result is a blowout for the team more heavily favored.

This one is a runaway from jump street, and Drew Brees and company take most of the first quarter off, as Jameis Winston gets some live game reps for the Saints. The second string New Orleans defense gives up a late, long touchdown run to Austin Ekeler, but by that point the game is over.

A test for the Jets offense comes in the way of a vaunted Charger defensive unit, and it fails to deliver (yet again). The Chargers defense spends so much time in the backfield that Sam Darnold is caught asking to be benched in the third quarter to avoid the pummeling.

For his sake, the Chargers carry two first half defensive scores to a coasting fourth quarter in which only the second line defense plays, and the Jets are able to move to ball some. The score their fourth and final touchdown on the last play of the game, with the L.A. defense basically walking off the field while the ball is in the air.

In a battle featuring two teams stockpiled with talent, but not established answer at quarterback, the defense has the advantage. The Chargers’ defense is too much for the Dolphin offense, regardless of who is at the helm for Miami.

Joey Bosa gets going early and stays in the backfield all day, while safety Derwin James has a huge game for Los Angeles. The Chargers hold all facets of Miami’s offense in check and the game is never really close.

The Chargers’ defense comes out ready to go in this one and takes advantage of a porous Jaguars offense. The unit forces five turnovers and registers eight sacks in this one, and put up two scores in the process.

The only reason the Jags are able to put points on the board is because they also force a pair of turnovers and give the offense possession in the red zone, where they end up kicking field goals.