Your thoughts about game 1 the Chargers.

[*SHRacerX*]

(08-19-2020, 04:05 PM)Wes Mantooth Wrote: If this is a Bengals team that is improved and is taking that next step, then this is a game you really should win.

1.) At home.
2.) West Coast team playing across the country. (Travel works both ways)
3.) 5-11 last season. Dead last in their division.
4.) New QB, in a new offense, as the face of their franchise moves on, in Phillips Rivers.
5.) No Melvin Gordon either.  Ekeler takes completely takes over RB1.

There shouldn't be any excuse at to why he can't win this game.

They do have a pretty good D.  And their weapons in the pass game are excellent (Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Hunter Henry, and Ekeler).

I hope we can put up a good showing. Year 2 of the new regime, getting some key guys back, some new additions, along with the best QB prospect in awhile.  We need this one.

This pretty much summed it up for me, but I will add that the Chargers have NO film on Burrow and have no idea what to expect.  I think they (Chargers) will try to come out and run the ball and we will see very quickly if all those additions on defense pay dividends.  Their offensive line brought in Bulaga and Pro Bowl G Trai Turner to go with Mike Pouncey at C, but the other side of their line is G Dan Feeney (average at best) and a competition at LT between a bunch of no names.  Their offensive line is very questionable, but looks to be solid as run-blockers at the very least.  

Tyrod Taylor is captain checkdown.  If they can tighten up underneath coverage and make him hold on to the ball, it could be a long day for him. 

The Chargers defense is loaded.  Getting them burnt on a few big plays early would be huge.