The Carolina Panthers will travel to Los Angeles, CA on Sunday afternoon to face the Chargers in Week 3 of the 2020 NFL season. The Panthers enter Week 3 winless, while the Chargers come into this week 1-1. Carolina leads the all-time series 5-1 which includes a three-game winning streak. This is a must-win game for the Panthers who are aiming to break their 10 game losing streak. Both teams experienced significant injuries on their rosters last week. Christian McCaffrey was placed on the injured reserves list following a high ankle sprain and Tyrod Taylor, the Chargers’ quarterback was also placed on the injured reserve list after a team doctor punctured his lung pregame last week.
Carolina Panthers
For the second year in a row, the Panthers are starting the season 0-2. They were defeated in week one by the Las Vegas Raiders and last week by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This isn’t the start Carolina owners or fans were counting on under the new leadership of head coach, Matt Rhule.
Offense
Teddy Bridgewater recorded 22-42 attempts for a career-high 367 yards. zero touchdowns, and two interceptions for an 83.2 rating. This was Bridgewater’s seventh career game recording more than 300 pass yards and he has received at least a 90 or greater rating in three of his past four starts against an AFC West opponent.
Mike Davis tied his career-high eight receptions for 74 yards in Week 2, which was his second career game with 50 or more receiving yards.
D.J. Moore also posted eight receptions for the team-high 120 yards last week which was his sixth career 100-yard game.
Robby Anderson led the team with nine receptions and 109 receiving yards, which was his 10th-career 100-yard game.
Defense
Brian Burns posted two tackles for loss last week against Tampa Bay, which was his first career game with two or more tackles for loss. In his two career road games against an AFC opponent, Burns has posted 15 sacks.
Tahir Whitehead recorded six tackles in Week 2 and has 35 tackles in his last four games versus the Chargers.
Donte Jackson had his eights-career interception last week and has recorded five pass deflections in his last five road games. Rasul Douglas led the team with seven tackles and a tackle for loss last week and Tre Boston recorded four tackles in Week 2. Rookie safety, Jeremy Chinn, ranks third among NFC rookies with 14 tackles on the season.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers come into Week 3 following an overtime loss against Kansas City last week. This will be rookie quarterback, Justin Herbert‘s, second career start, and the injured veteran, Taylor, has been at practice trying to prepare Herbert for this week’s game.
Offense
Herbert passed for 311 yards, one touchdown, and one interception for a 94.4 rating in addition to recorded 18 rushing yards a rushing touchdown in his NFL debut. He joins Otto Gram and Cam Newton as the only players with more than 300 passing yards and a rushing touchdown in their first career NFL game.
Austin Ekeler led the team with his season-high 148 scrimmage yards last week, which was his sixth game with more than 125 scrimmage yards. Rookie, Joshua Kelley posted 113 scrimmage yards which made him and Ekeler one of two duos in the league with 100 or more scrimmage yards this season. (Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt)
Keenan Allen led the team with seven catches for 96 yards in Week 2, while Jalen Guyton scored his first career touchdown reception last week. Hunter Henry had a season-high six receptions for 83 yards. He is going for his fifth game in a row with five or more catches.
Defense
Joey Bosa is aiming for his third game in a row with at least one sack, he had a sack in the last meeting and has posted four sacks in his three career games versus an NFC South opponent.
Melvin Ingram is one of two defensive line players in the league with a pass deflection in each of his first two games this season. (Jurrell Casey)
Kenneth Murray led the Chargers with a career-high ten tackles and also recorded a pass deflection last week, while Casey Hayward is going for his fifth game in a row versus an NFC South opponent with a pass deflection.
Game Info
Date: September 27, 2020
Time: 1:05 P.M. PST
Location: Inglewood, CA
Stadium: SoFi Stadium
TV Info: CBS
Betting Odds Sponsored by Jazz Sportsbook
Point Spread: CAR +6.5 (-110) | LAC -6.5 (-110)
Moneyline: CAR +230 | LAC -305
Over/Under: O 43.5 (-110) | U 43.5 (-110)
With each team missing a core member of its offensive line this game has the potential to be a low scoring game. The Carolina defense will attempt to stop Herbert and his offense, while the Chargers defense will do the same to the Panthers without McCaffrey. Neither team will put more than 21 points on the board, so the under is the bet to take on this game.
Prediction
The Carolina Panthers have to win this game to gain some momentum on the season. Bridgewater and his offensive line need to get on the same page and fight through the Chargers defense in order to get in the endzone. If Herbert’s production mimics that of last week and if the Panthers don’t stop Ekeler and Kelly they will lose their third game this season and the 11th game in a row.
Final Score: Carolina Panthers 17, Los Angeles Chargers 20
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