Dec 8, 2024; Kansas Metropolis, Missouri, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) throws a go throughout the second half towards the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs at GEHA Area at Arrowhead Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Photographs One thing has to present on Sunday when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers go to the Los Angeles Chargers in Inglewood, Calif.
For each the NFC South-leading Bucs (7-6) and AFC wild-card hopeful Chargers (8-5), they’re protecting their fingers crossed that it is not a playoff spot with 4 weeks left within the common season.
The Chargers boast the top-ranked scoring protection within the NFL, having averaged 15.9 factors per recreation allowed and 20-or-less factors given up in 11 of 13 video games.
Tampa Bay, in the meantime, is fifth within the league in scoring, averaging 27.9 factors per recreation.
An surprising variable arose Wednesday for Los Angeles, although, when Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh revealed that quarterback Justin Herbert injured an ankle to go together with a left-leg contustion suffered in a loss to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs final Sunday. Herbert didn’t apply on Wednesday.
“I do know this: He might be doing something and every thing in his energy to play on Sunday,” Harbaugh mentioned. “I’ve seen it now time and again. Definitely a lesser man would not be doing the issues he does.”
Although the Buccaneers have been powered by a potent speeding assault led by rookie Bucky Irving and Rachaad White, quarterback Baker Mayfield is a dynamic ringmaster for a crew that has received three consecutively contests since a Week 11 bye.
Mayfield is tied for third within the league with 28 landing passes.
Tampa Bay moved into sole possession of first place of the NFC South final week with a 28-13 residence win over the Las Vegas Raiders that was nearer than the rating signifies. Tampa Bay was slowed down by the Raiders’ go rush within the center quarters however obtained scores from Jalen McMillan and White within the fourth to win and go the Atlanta Falcons within the standings.
Mayfield produced 295 yards and three touchdowns on 18-for-29 passing however had two interceptions and a misplaced fumble within the first half because the Buccaneers didn’t capitalize on probabilities.
“Now we have to know, particularly once we’re within the pink zone and we’re in scoring territory, we will not flip it over. That is No. 1,” coach Todd Bowles mentioned. “You do not just like the turnovers, interval. From time to time they’ll occur, however we have now to do a greater job caring for the soccer as an offensive workers, interval.
“Between the coaches and the gamers, we have to do a greater job of specializing in precisely what we need to get accomplished, how we have to get it accomplished, and ensure we execute it each play. It is not simply on Baker, it is on everyone.”
White totaled 109 all-purpose yards as crew speeding chief Bucky Irving, a rookie, went out early with a hip and again illness.
Bowles mentioned Irving’s standing for Sunday can be contingent on lingering again stiffness. Security Antoine Winfield Jr., nevertheless, is predicted to be out “weeks” as a result of a knee sprain, Bowles mentioned.
Herbert will chase his personal statistical milestone, if he performs, having made 335 consecutive go makes an attempt with out an interception, the fifth-longest streak in NFL historical past.
However Los Angeles hasn’t been as efficient in translating stable crew efforts into wins. The Chargers have misplaced two of their previous three — to the Baltimore Ravens and Chiefs — and dropped a 19-17 heartbreaker final week when Kansas Metropolis’s third-string kicker caromed the game-winning discipline aim off the uprights as time expired.
Nonetheless, the Chargers presently maintain the sixth-seeded wild-card spot within the AFC due to a head-to-head win over the Denver Broncos.
Los Angeles rookie broad receiver Ladd McConkey missed final week with knee and shoulder accidents however is predicted to play Sunday. Tight finish Will Dissly is predicted to overlook a number of weeks after injuring his shoulder on Sunday. Outdoors linebacker Joey Bosa (hip) additionally did not apply Wednesday.
Guard Ben Bredeson (shoulder), linebacker Okay.J. Britt (ankle), security Mike Edwards (hamstring) and broad receiver Mike Evans (hamstring) are among the many Tampa Bay gamers who missed apply on Wednesday.
–Area Stage Media
