10 Insights: Bolts' Big-Play Ability Among NFL's Elite

Nov 21, 2018 at 07:36 AM

Chris Hayre

TEAM REPORTER

Denver Broncos vs Los Angeles Chargers at Stub Hub Center on Sunday, November 18, 2018 in Carson, CA. Final score: DEN 23 - LAC 22

Below are 10 quick-hitting insights entering the Chargers' Week 12 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals:

1) Despite the 23-22 loss to Denver, Los Angeles had a season-high nine offensive plays go for 20 yards or more against the Broncos. Entering Week 12, the Chargers are tied with the Chiefs for the most 20-plus-yard rushes in the NFL (13). Los Angeles also has the fourth-most passing plays of 20 yards or more (46).

2) Before last Sunday, the Chargers had turned the ball over just three times total during their six-game winning streak. They are 7-0 this season when committing one or no turnovers.

3) Running back Melvin Gordon has totaled at least 120 yards from scrimmage in seven of nine games this season. In the two games in which he didn't reach 120 total yards, he was just as effective: Week 2 at Buffalo: three total touchdowns in the first half; Week 3 at Rams: 5.3 yards per carry and a TD.

4) Philip Rivers is the only quarterback in the NFL who has thrown at least two touchdowns in every game this season. He joins the company of Aaron Rodgers, Peyton Manning, Johnny Unitas, Tom Brady and Dan Marino as the only quarterbacks in league history to have achieved that feat, per NFL Communications.

5) Los Angeles will face a rookie quarterback for the third time this season when the Cardinals' Josh Rosen comes to town. It's a homecoming for Rosen, who played his college football at UCLA and is from Manhattan Beach, which is just over 10 miles from ROKiT Field at StubHub Center.

6) Last Sunday against Denver was the first game since Week 1 vs. Kansas City that Los Angeles failed to force a turnover. It was also the only game this season without registering a sack. Rosen has been sacked 22 times and has thrown 10 interceptions in eight games this season.

7) Chargers Offensive Coordinator Ken Whisenhunt spent six seasons as Arizona's head coach and led the Cardinals to an appearance in Super Bowl XLIII. Cardinals Head Coach Steve Wilks spent three seasons with the Chargers as defensive backs coach from 2009-11.

8) The Chargers will see a familiar face across the field on Sunday. Cardinals safety Tre Boston started 15 games for Los Angeles in 2017. This season he has 51 tackles and three interceptions in eight starts for Arizona.

9) Entering Week 12, rookie safety Derwin James leads the Chargers in tackles (71). He's also tied for first in passes defensed (7), and tied for third in sacks (3.5) and quarterback hits (6).

10) Cardinals defensive end Chandler Jones (10.5 sacks) is one of nine NFL players currently among the top 10 in sacks that the Chargers have faced or will have to face this season.