CHARGERS (8-5) vs. BUCCANEERS (7-6)
When: 1:25 p.m. Sunday
Where: SoFi Stadium
TV/Radio: Ch. 11; 98.7 FM; 105.5 FM/94.3 FM (Spanish)
Line: Chargers by 3
Notable injury designations
Chargers: OUT: TE Will Dissly (shoulder), WR Jalen Reagor (finger). QUESTIONABLE: WR Ladd McConkey (knee/shoulder), LB Denzel Perryman (groin).
Buccaneers: OUT: LB K.J. Britt (ankle), S Mike Edwards (hamstring), WR Kameron Johnson (ankle). QUESTIONABLE: DB Josh Hayes (hamstring), RB Bucky Irving (back/hip), DB Christian Izien (groin), LB J.J. Russell (hamstring), WR Sterling Shepard (foot), OLB Joe Tyron-Shoyinka (ankle).
What’s at stake: The Chargers need a bounce-back victory after a frustrating loss last Sunday night to Kansas City, their seventh consecutive defeat and 19th in their past 22 games against the Chiefs. The Buccaneers are looking for their fourth consecutive victory and a chance to stay atop the NFC South.
Who’s better: A healthy Justin Herbert and a healthy J.K. Dobbins likely would make the Chargers a bigger favorite in the eyes of the oddsmakers. Herbert was slowed in practice this past week by a sprained left ankle and a sore left thigh, neither of which is expected to sideline him for Sunday’s game. Dobbins will sit out his third game because of a sprained knee that landed him on injured reserve. Gus Edwards is expected to replace Dobbins for the third consecutive game. The Bucs lost four consecutive games going into their bye week and then won three consecutive to rise to the top of the NFC South.
Matchup to watch: Herbert versus the opposing defense is always worth a look, and this game is no exception. Baker Mayfield and the Bucs have one of the NFL’s top offenses, ranking fifth overall in points per game with an average of 27.9. Tampa Bay’s defense is significantly less stellar, giving up 23.8 points, 22nd in the 32-team league. Perhaps the bigger matchup to watch is Herbert versus his injuries. His mobility was limited after he sprained his left ankle during the Chargers’ first possession in last Sunday night’s loss to the Chiefs and the game plan had to be tweaked significantly, according to offensive coordinator Greg Roman. How well Herbert can move on rollouts and bootlegs and the like will be determined Sunday.
Chargers win if: Herbert’s health is always a concern. The Chargers are at their best when he’s sound and less so when he’s been injured. Their offense suffered during losses to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Chiefs in Weeks 3 and 4 after he sprained his right ankle during a victory over the Panthers in Week 2. Herbert has thrown 14 touchdown passes and only one interception this season, going 11 consecutive games without an interception, tied with Tom Brady for the longest streak in league history.
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Fantasy sleeper: Wide receiver Quentin Johnston continues to find his way during his second season in the NFL, after the Chargers made him a first-round draft pick out of TCU in 2023. He ended a personal slump of four games by catching five passes for 48 yards and one touchdown against Kansas City.
Prediction: The Chargers shouldered their way through a rugged four-game stretch of games with victories over the Cincinnati Bengals and Atlanta Falcons and losses to the Baltimore Ravens and Chiefs. Their final four regular-season games don’t shape up as difficult as their most recent four, starting with the Bucs. Mayfield’s mobility could give the Chargers trouble. Buccaneers 24, Chargers 17.