The Chargers are hitting the road for the first time in 2024 as they look to continue their strong start to the season.
And with a battle against the Panthers on the way, members of ESPN's NFL staff took a deeper look at the matchup this weekend, which has a couple of intriguing storylines ahead.
The biggest one comes on the ground where the team is coming off a big Week 1.
As a team, the Bolts rushed for 176 yards on 27 carries (6.5 yards per rush) and a touchdown. It was particularly big in the second half when J.K. Dobbins' long rushes of 46 and 61 yards gave the Bolts offense momentum they would carry on their way to a win.
On the flip side, the Panthers gave up 180 rushing yards on 37 attempts (4.9 yards per rush) and two touchdowns in their Week 1 loss against the Saints.
It's no secret the Chargers want to be a bruising offense on the ground, and ESPN analyst Seth Walder's bold prediction for this week's game has them running the ball quite a bit.
Walder wrote:
At one point in the first three quarters, the Chargers will run 10 consecutive running plays. Coach Harbaugh wants to run the ball and the Panthers — who ranked last in EPA per designed rush allowed last week — will give them every opportunity.
According to ESPN's Football Power Index, the Chargers have a 66 percent chance winning in Carolina, good for second-highest percentage by any team across the Week 2 slate.
Three of their NFL analysts — Kalyn Kahler, Eric Moody and Walder — also picked the Bolts, each predicting a win of at least 15 points.
For ESPN's Kris Rhim, he has his eye on something the Bolts haven't done in in a dozen years.
Rhim wrote:
The Chargers are looking to start 2-0 for the first time since 2012. However, L.A. has a 1-6 record against Carolina, with its only win coming in 2004. The Chargers' last game against the Panthers came during QB Justin Herbert's rookie season, when he threw for 330 yards and one touchdown
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