Green Bay Packers 2019 opponent preview: Los Angeles Chargers
Here is one of the toughest games on the Green Bay Packers’ schedule — a Week 9 meeting with the Los Angeles Chargers.
The last time these two teams met, the Chargers still played football in San Diego. The game came down to the final seconds with Damarious Randall breaking up a potential game-tying touchdown to give the Green Bay Packers the win.
A lot has changed since then, and the Chargers enter the 2019 season as Super Bowl contenders.
Last season
The Chargers put together an impressive 12-4 record in the regular season, which tied with the Kansas City Chiefs for the best record in the AFC. Unfortunately for the Chargers, the Chiefs had the tiebreaker in the AFC West which meant they had to settle for a wild-card berth, despite having a better record than every team in the conference not named the Chiefs.
LA eliminated Baltimore on the road in the wild-card round, but lost 41-28 in New England a week later. Had the Chargers earned home-field advantage, would it have been different?
When is the game?
This will be the Packers’ second straight road game, a week after playing the Chiefs. Green Bay travels to Los Angeles in Week 9, with the game being played on Sunday, Nov. 3.
Offseason additions
The Chargers were quiet in free agency. While they did sign linebacker Thomas Davis and quarterback Tyrod Taylor, they lost talent at wide receiver with Tyrell Williams departing, and cornerback Jason Verrett signed with the San Francisco 49ers.
Despite that, the Chargers did add to an already-strong roster in the draft, selecting defensive tackle Jerry Tillery and safety Nasir Adderley in the opening two rounds.
Last meeting with Packers
Oct. 18, 2015: Packers won 27-20 at Lambeau Field
Player to watch
Derwin James: In last year’s draft, the Packers passed up the opportunity to draft Derwin James in the first round. And he went on to have a dominant rookie season with the Chargers, making three interceptions, 3.5 sacks and 13 pass defenses. James was a first-team All-Pro, a Pro Bowler and made the PFWA All-Rookie Team in his first season.
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James is a young star in the Chargers secondary, and he’ll be the player to watch in this game.