Field Level Media
28 Oct 2021, 06:10 GMT+10
The team that seems to have inspired the Los Angeles Chargers' franchise awakening returns to Southern California on Sunday fewer than 11 months after a fateful afternoon.
In the midst of a hard-luck 2020 season, when the Chargers failed to hold late leads and absorbed multiple heartbreaking defeats, they were dealt a blow of an entirely different nature when they were crushed at home 45-0 by the Patriots on Dec. 6.
The Chargers were assured of a losing record with the defeat, yet instead of folding and accepting their fate, the team regrouped. Los Angeles won each of its last four games, including a season-ending victory at Kansas City.
The late-season rally was not enough to save the job of head coach Anthony Lynn, with new head coach Brandon Staley able to keep the momentum rolling with a 4-2 start to the 2021 season.
But another reckoning could be upon the Chargers after they were thumped 34-6 by the Baltimore Ravens on the road two weeks ago. The disappointing showing followed an impressive 47-42 victory over the Cleveland Browns.
Coming off a perfectly placed bye week, the Chargers hope to get on track again behind quarterback Justin Herbert, who is sixth in the NFL with 295.2 passing yards per game. Herbert is also ninth with 14 touchdown passes.
"The bye week always comes at a good time in the NFL, no matter what week you're in," Chargers running back Austin Ekeler said. "That's just the nature of the NFL. You go through a few games; your body is not feeling 100 percent as you would like it because that's the violence of the game."
That recovery opportunity showed as everybody participated in practice for the Chargers on Wednesday, with only linebacker Drue Tranquill (chest) a limited participant.
The Patriots also had everybody take the field for practice Wednesday but 15 players were limited, including tight end Jonnu Smith, who left last week's game against the New York Jets with a shoulder injury.
Guard Shaq Mason (abdomen) and defensive tackle Carl Davis (hand) also left the Jets game but were at least limited participants as preparations for the Chargers began.
The Patriots (3-4) crushed the Jets 54-13, giving them two victories in three games as they overcame a 35-29 overtime loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 6.
Patriots rookie quarterback Mac Jones continues to show growth with a season-best 307 yards passing against the Jets and two TDs. He did not throw an interception for the first time in five games, further distancing himself from a three-interception game Sept. 26 against the New Orleans Saints.
The Patriots were also 8-for-8 in the red zone the past two games, another sign that Jones is starting to feel comfortable with New England's complex offense.
"I think the offensive identity has been established throughout the past 20 years here," Jones said in a nod to former Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. "We're trying to get there and trying to establish playing to the standard that we have. This year it's our team and we're kind of figuring out our pieces and putting them together."
The Patriots enter Sunday's game with the 14th best passing offense at 259.6 yards per game and the 16th best overall offense at 355.0 yards. On defense, the Patriots are 12th, giving up 350.6 yards per game, while the Chargers are 19th (364.3 yards).
--Field Level MediaGet a daily dose of Cleveland Star news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Cleveland Star.
More InformationNEW YORK CITY, New York: Former British prime minister Rishi Sunak will return to Goldman Sachs in an advisory role, the Wall Street...
LONDON, U.K.: Physically backed gold exchange-traded funds recorded their most significant semi-annual inflow since the first half...
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands: Some 32 percent of global semiconductor production could face climate change-related copper supply disruptions...
NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stocks rebounded Tuesday with all the major indices gaining ground. Markets in the UK, Europe and Canada...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Financial markets kicked off the week on a cautious note as President Donald Trump rolled out a fresh round...
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil: At a two-day summit over the weekend, the BRICS bloc of emerging economies issued a joint declaration condemning...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: An elaborate impersonation scheme involving artificial intelligence targeted senior U.S. and foreign officials in...
(Photo credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images) Kyle Manzardo was slated to bat cleanup and play first base for the Cleveland Guardians...
(Photo credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images) The Miami Marlins and Baltimore Orioles have been counted out for much of the past couple...
(Photo credit: Alex Gallardo-Imagn Images) The Seattle Sounders will be without their captain when they travel to Kansas City, Kan....
(Photo credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images) Thursday evening's contest between the host Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Guardians...
(Photo credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images) Nick Lodolo and four relievers combined on a four-hit shutout Thursday for the host Cincinnati...