The Detroit Lions are past the halfway point of their season. So why not try something new right? Today I’m going to introduce a new series today and I think it will be fun. Here’s how it works.
Every week I’ll pick four players that I think can succeed the most on game day based off their opponents weaknesses. Then on Sunday we’ll come back and talk about how those four players did. Here’s the first try at this. Let’s start on the edge.
Aidan Hutchinson
Here’s the thought process behind this pick. The chargers are struggling a little with their offensive line right now. Their total unit is ranked 21st in the league by Pro Football Focus. Right tackle Trey Pipkins will have to stop Hutchinson and he’s allowed six sacks this season. That’s tied for second for the most sacks allowed by a tackle this year. Four of those sacks have come in the last four games.
It’s not just Pipkins though. Justin Herbert has been sacked 20 times this season. 11 of them came in the last four games. The Lions have had a few games where they’ve been able to rack up sacks in bunches. This might be another one.
Jared Goff
The Chargers big defensive strength is in the run stopping game. Their big weakness is against the pass. The Chargers have allowed 2,288 yards through the air this season. That’s third most in the league. They’ve allowed 215 receptions. That’s the fourth most in the league.
Goff as thrown well over the middle, but he might have a bigger game throwing outside the numbers in this one. Look for him to throw towards Assante Samuel Jr. early and often. Samuel has allowed 39 receptions this year. That’s tied for the seventh most in the league. Quarterbacks have a 70.9% chance of completing a pass against him per PFF.
Samuel’s counterpoint Michael Davis isn’t far behind. He’s allowed 37 receptions this season. Goff should be able to play a good game here.
Amon-Ra St. Brown
St. Brown should see plenty of work in this game. Not just on the inside where Ja’Sir Tayor has allowed 13 of his 24 allowed catches in the last four games, but on the outside where Samuel and Davis have struggled. St. Brown has been pretty good on the outside this season. He’s caught 21 of the 30 balls that have been thrown his way this year for for 256 yards of his 665 yards.
The Chargers can be beat over the middle and on the outside. That should open up some opportunities for St. Brown.
Penei Sewell
The Chargers have 31 sacks this season. That’s really good. It’s tied for the second most in the NFL. The thing is, the Chargers are about to go up against the best offensive line they’ve faced all season.
I went with Sewell here because he has not allowed a sack this season. Not one. He’ll have to go up against Joey Bosa in this game. That will be tough outing for sure. Sewell was able to keep Maxx Crosby off the board last week, he should be able to do it with Bosa this week.