Two dynamic offenses will duke it out under the bright California sun

Los Angeles Chargers v RamsLos Angeles ChargersCredit: Los Angeles Chargers

Sunday afternoon delivers another premium match-up for our viewing pleasure as Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders roll into SoFi Stadium to steal a victory in what is certainly a must-win bounce-back game for the Bolts. 

After an upsetting 21-18 loss last week against the New York Giants, the Chargers’ ego deflated just a bit, knowing they let one of the easier games of their schedule slip away. To start strong with two sizable wins against upper-echelon teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos, only to lose against a scattered Giants team dealing with numerous in-house issues, old gloomy mantras that’ve haunted the Chargers franchise for years surfaced once more. 

With that said, game 5 against the Washington Commanders is a necessary win meant to both quiet the haters and double down on the Chargers’ great start to the season. However, key players like offensive tackle Joe Alt (doubtful) and safety Derwin James Jr. (questionable) could miss the game due to injuries, making the challenge all the tougher for Herbert and co. 

Speaking of missing games due to injuries, this match also marks the return of star Commanders QB Jayden Daniels, returning to action after missing weeks 3 and 4 due to a knee sprain. Daniels was a breakout rookie last season, finishing the year with an impressive total of 3,568 passing yards, 25 passing touchdowns, along with 891 rushing yards and 6 rushing touchdowns, joining the ranks with Ravens’ QB Lamar Jackson and Eagles’ QB Jalen Hurts as one of the superior dual-threat passers in the league. 

In that two-week absence, a lot has changed for the Commanders’ offense. Ever since the unfortunate season-ending injury sustained by Commanders RB and former Charger Austin Ekeler in week 2, rookie RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt has quietly emerged in their RB1 role with 172 rushing yards and 2 TDs. And with Daniels’ return signaling a dangerous passing threat once more, Croskey-Merritt should make an even bigger impact. 

WR Deebo Samuel has also been carving a path within their offensive schemes, especially in the absence of their big-play wide receiver, Terry McLauren, who has been dealing with a quadriceps injury that occurred in week 3 against the Raiders, where he left the match early. Samuel has been the go-to guy for the Commanders as another dual-threat player, earning 204 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns with 46 rushing yards and 1 rushing TD.

McLauren will likely miss this week’s game as well, though rumblings around the team suggest he is trending in the right direction health-wise. 

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The Chargers’ defense will need to figure out how to detain two dual-threats in their offense. Daniels’ and Samuel’s unique skill sets allow for an array of misleading plays that can result in QB sneaks, RPOs, and Jet sweeps, which will demand the focus of the Bolts’ defensive reads to be sharp. And with Derwin James potentially missing the game, they will need to find a suitable player to lead their defense on Sunday.

​It should be a fun one at SoFi between two of the best offenses in the league: Herbert versus Daniels in a matinée shoot-out.Â