On The Beat: 5 questions with Los Angeles writer Eric Williams: 'This is Philip Rivers' best team in a decade'

Every week, we go deep on the Patriots’ next opponent with our “5 questions…” feature where we check in with a writer who covers New England’s next opponent. For this week’s game against L.A., we talk with our friend Eric Willians, who covers the Chargers for ESPN. Check him out on Twitter here.

1. Does this game provide Philip Rivers with a chance for a signature moment?

This will be his best option over the last decade to grab a signature moment, and provide him with a real chance to reach the Hall of Fame and vindication and all that it would entail. This is Rivers' best team in a decade -- at least since he was in the AFC championship game against the Patriots a decade ago. On defense, he has a ton of playmakers — same thing on offense. Basically, it’s not on him to go out there and throw for 500 yards if they want a chance to win the ballgame. In my mind, it’s a lot like Peyton Manning and his last couple of years in Denver — all he has to do is manage the game and help them get through some tight situations.

2. If you were the Patriots, how would you go about attacking the LA defense?

I know there was some talk of them continuing to play seven defensive backs like they did against the Ravens, but honestly, a lot of that for that game was built out of necessity. The truth is they probably played more dime than just about anyone in the league. If you want to attack them, the best plan is probably running the football and making the smaller guys make tackles against that run game. You just make it a slugfest if you’re New England, and then, you build play-action off that. Defensively, any time you can get pressure on Rivers, you have a chance at success. You can let him hang back there and pat the ball and survey the field. If you give him that sort of time, he’ll pick you apart. The other thing? Do whatever you can to take Keenan Allen away and make them beat you with other guys. Put two guys on him. Singling up Keenan Allen is not the best thing to do.

3. Give me the name of an under-the-radar guy who has a chance to make an impact on Sunday.

I don’t know how necessarily under-the-radar he might be, but Austin Ekeler is going to be important. The Chargers need to be able to get him in space against the New England pass defense, and get him to the second level. That’ll be important. Obviously, Melvin Gordon is dealing with a nagging knee injury — he’s tough. He will play. But getting the ball out in the passing game to the likes of Ekeler will be important when it comes to possibly getting some chunk plays and moving the chains.

4. Was the addition of Michael Badgley the final piece in the special teams puzzle?

I think that's fair. They went to Desmond King early in the season because they wanted a sure-handed person back there. He’s not explosive but he will catch the football and get positive yards in the return game. But Badgley really solidified things for them — now, from 40 yards and in, knowing they can get that kick, that’s big. They feel confident with him back there. Leg strength on kickoffs has been an issue, so they’re adding a guy there. But Badgley has been money — he made a 59-yarder earlier this year, a franchise record. The cool thing about him is that while most kickers are soccer guys, he played football growing up — he was a quarterback and running back. He played hockey. He really kind of embraces the locker room.

5. The Chargers win Sunday if…

…if they can limit mistakes. That means no turnovers, and keep penalties to a minimum and make the Patriots have to beat them. New England is always so sharp — the Patriots are always three steps ahead. But if the Chargers can go out there and make plays when they need to and not give them any short fields, they will be in good shape.

Eric’s Pick — Los Angeles 24, New England 21: Traveling coast-to-coast on back-to-back weeks will take its toll. But I think the Chargers have a more talented roster, and an excellent chance of pulling off the win.