On the beat: 5 questions with Chargers writer Eric Williams

Each week, we quiz a writer who covers an upcoming Patriots’ opponent. This week, we asked Eric Williams five questions about the Chargers. Eric covers the team for ESPN, and you can check him out on Twitter here. Follow his coverage here.

The Chargers lost their first four but have won their last three games. Which team shows up Sunday afternoon in Foxborough?

That’s a good question. The way they’ve been playing the last three weeks has been impressive, especially when you consider what they did last week against the Broncos. They were able to control things up front defensively with Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa. They move those guys all over the place, and they can really do some damage. Something to look for is when they utilize a NASCAR package when they have Ingram and Bosa on the field at once with two other pass rushers. Their ability to create pressure on passing downs has produced results.

Is there someone on the Chargers roster who isn’t a household name who we could be talking about by the time the ballgame is over?

Trevor Williams is the guy who stepped in at corner for Jason Verrett when he went down with an injury. He’s been really solid — he hasn’t been beaten deep a lot. One of the things he brings to the table is his versatility, and they’ll move the corners around depending in the matchups. But he’s a guy to watch come Sunday.

What is the biggest weakness on the Chargers’ offense you expect the Patriots to try and exploit?

I asked Philip Rivers about this the other day — the last time they played against the Patriots, they started a young guy at center and New England just went off with double A gap blitzes because he just consistently struggled to pick up pressure. This time around, they have a young center out there in Spencer Pulley, who played a little last year. They have a rookie at left guard and another young guy at right guard in Kenny Wiggins. The interior of that offensive line will be really important on Sunday, because Philip really struggles with pressure up the middle. I’d expect the Patriots to try and test those guys up front.

What is the biggest weakness on the Chargers’ defense you expect the Patriots to try and exploit?

That’s easy. The Chargers are second-worst in the league at defending the run. They did a better job last week against the Broncos, but that’s how to attack that defense. If Los Angeles can stop the run and get teams in passing situations, that’s when that defense has succeeded. If they can’t stop the run, they spend a lot of time on the field and they get tired.

The Chargers win Sunday if…

...they figure out a way to control the game, score when they’re in the red zone, and don’t turn the ball over. I think their game plan is going to be to run the football with Melvin Gordon, and have him try and pick up first downs either on the ground or as a pass catcher out of the backfield. Just don’t give the game away. Play a ball-control type of game and keep it close.

Eric’s Pick
I like the Chargers to hang tough, but I think it’s just going to be too much for them after awhile. They have a lot of young guys on that team, and in the big moment that comes with playing the defending champions on the road, it might just be too much for them.

Patriots 27, Chargers 23