Chargers Ready to Unlock Justin Herbert and Their Offense

The Los Angeles Chargers have all the pieces to make a deep playoff run this season.

The Los Angeles Chargers have all the pieces to make a deep run this season.

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Release the Hounds

Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Joey Bosa and safety Derwin James Jr.

Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Joey Bosa, left, safety Derwin James Jr. and Co. are hungry. Bart Young / AP Photo

The Chargers are healthy after being decimated by injuries to key players last season.

Quarterback Justin Herbert suffered torn rib cartilage in Week 2 and wasn’t the same. Wide receiver Keenan Allen, left tackle Rashawn Slater, edge Joey Bosa, and cornerback J.C. Jackson all missed time.

But they are ready to roll.

Go Route

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, left, and offensive coordinator Kellen Moore

Justin Herbert, left, and Chargers offensive coordinator Kellen Moore are building a strong rapport. Kyusung Gong / AP Photo

The Chargers have the talent, the quarterback, and now bring in an offensive coordinator in Kellen Moore, who should unlock Justin Herbert and the offense.

If this team can stay healthy, they have the components to go far in the playoffs.

Mr. Money

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert throws

Justin Herbert threw for 4,739 yards in the 2022 NFL season. Jack Dempsey / AP Photo

Justin Herbert is 25 and enters his fourth NFL season after signing a five-year, $262.5 million extension with the Chargers this summer, making him the highest-paid player in the league.

Herbert completed 68.2 percent of his passes in 2022 for 4,739 yards and 25 touchdowns with only 10 interceptions. He showed his fortitude by playing through significant injuries and still willed this decimated team to 10 wins.

NFL MVP 2023-24

Patrick Mahomes +600
Joe Burrow +750
Josh Allen +850
Jalen Hurts +1100
Justin Herbert +1200

Moore for Less

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley, right, watches Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert warm up

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley, right, is ready to let Justin Herbert loose. Reed Hoffmann / AP Photo

Chargers head coach Brandon Staley resorted to more traditional, conservative play calling in 2022, antithetical to his aggressive, analytics-driven style in previous years. That could change with Moore.

Staley told ESPN’s Dan Graziano that Moore “excels at not bogging down the QB with ancillary stuff, and that it will allow Herbert to play faster and more aggressively this season.”

You all wanna hear this
Kellen Moore on Justin Herbert pic.twitter.com/C8kfUmHo5L

— Oliver. Pickled. (@OliverAHenzen) August 27, 2023

It Won’t Be a Cakewalk

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Willie Gay celebrates after sacking Justin Herbert

Justin Herbert was sacked 38 times in 2022 after being sacked 31 times in 2021 and 32 times in 2020. Jayne Kamin-Oncea / AP Photo

The Chargers went 1-5 against teams with a winning record, which is bad news for a team stepping up in strength of schedule. The Chargers have a top-5 most difficult schedule and the 6th-worst net rest advantage.

They didn’t make any big roster changes this offseason despite being league-average at best on both sides of the ball.

Herbie Goes Bananas

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert celebrates

Justin Herbert has his eyes on the ultimate NFL prize. Kyusung Gong / AP Photo

The Bolts believe Herbert can lead them to an NFL title. With a healthy receiving corps, his arm talent, and uptempo playcalling, Herbert also could bring home the MVP.

Super Bowl 2024

Kansas City Chiefs +600
Philadelphia Eagles +650
Buffalo Bills +900
San Francisco 49ers +1000
Cincinnati Bengals +1100
Dallas Cowboys +1400
New York Jets +1600
Baltimore Ravens +1800
Detroit Lions +2200
Los Angeles Chargers +2500

Chargers Betting Insights

The Charges had an 11-5-1 record against the spread in 2022.
Last season, seven Chargers games went over the point total.
The Chargers ranked 9th in the NFL in total offense with 359.3 yards per game in 2022 and 20th in total defense with 346.1 yards allowed per contest.
The Chargers scored 391 points (23.0 per game) last season (13th of 32) and allowed 384 points (22.6, 21st of 32).
The Chargers went 5-3 at home and 5-4 on the road.
When underdogs, the Chargers had five victories (5-1) versus a 6-4-1 record when favored.
The Chargers were 7-5 vs. the AFC, including 2-4 in the AFC West.
The Chargers have a 4-9 record as underdogs at home since 2016.

This article originally appeared in the weekly Stadium Talk newsletter with Betting Predators, a sports betting media platform. Subscribe to our newsletter.

The Betting Predators 2023 NFL Premium Package is live. Use code “NEWSLETTER50” for $50 OFF any premium package order.

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