It’s a battle of the undefeated vs. the winless in Week 4. The 3-0 Chargers are set to travel to New York to face the 0-3 Giants this weekend.
Anything can happen on any given weekend in the NFL, and that’s likely the message that head coach Jim Harbaugh is giving his players this week.
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Let’s look ahead at some key matchups to watch for in this matchup.
Jaxson Dart vs. Chargers pass defense
The Giants announced that rookie first-rounder Jaxson Dart will make his first career start in Week 4 against the Chargers. Los Angeles has been the ninth-best defense against the pass in 2025, so Dart has his work cut out for him. The defense, particularly the secondary, has been quite impressive to begin the season and has only built off its impressive 2024 campaign.
Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter will surely dial up the heat and make it difficult for Dart to get anything going down the field. The Giants have a talented receiver in Malik Nabers, and they’ll need him to step up in a big way in Week 4 in order to beat the Chargers.
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Omarion Hampton vs. Giants run defense
Hampton had the best game of his short career with 129 total yards and his first career touchdown in the Week 3 victory. He still wasn’t particularly efficient in the run game, but that has as much to do with the blocking as it does with Hampton himself.
Fortunately, the Chargers have a phenomenal matchup in Week 4. The Giants are the second-worst run defense through three weeks, as they give up 153.3 yards per game. Hampton and the Chargers’ offensive line should look forward to this one, and it will be a key battle to watch in this contest.
Chargers offensive line vs. Giants defensive line
Things don’t get much easier for the Chargers’ offensive line in Week 4. The Giants possess one of the best defensive lines in football, headlined by Brian Burns, Dexter Lawrence, and Kayvon Thibodeaux. Los Angeles’ offensive line is quite banged up right now, as up to three starters could miss this weekend’s game.
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Burns is the one to watch in particular as he’s tied for second in the NFL with four sacks. Chargers right tackle Trey Pipkins will have his hands full, and that side of the line will be the one to watch on Sunday.
If the Giants have any chance to pull off an upset in this one, their defensive front will have to get to Justin Herbert regularly. Herbert was hit quite a bit in Week 3 against the Broncos, and the Giants’ best defensive formula is to do the same this weekend.
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: What matchups are key for the Chargers to remain undefeated?