It's another White Hot Sunday at Qualcomm Stadium as the San Diego Chargers will host the Jacksonville Jaguars in their home opener Sunday at 1:25pm PT.
A Look Back at Last Week
The Chargers fell to 0-1 after the Kansas City Chiefs rallied late for a 33-27 overtime win. San Diego held a 27-10 lead before the Chiefs stormed back with 23 unanswered points. Melvin Gordon scored the first two touchdowns of his NFL career, as he and Danny Woodhead combined for 146 yards on the ground. Travis Benjamin caught seven of eight passes thrown his way while Tyrell Williams had a team-high 71 yards through the air. On defense, Brandon Mebane and Corey Liuget were disruptive up front while Jason Verrett notched an interception.
What to Watch For…
On Offense for the Chargers
Who will step up with Keenan Allen lost for the season is the question on everyone's mind. Dontrelle Inman is listed as the new starting wide receiver on the depth chart, while Travis Benjamin, Tyrell Williams and Isaiah Burse will also be counted on to elevate their game. The Bolts could look to pound the rock more given the success Melvin Gordon and Danny Woodhead had a week ago.
On Offense for the Jaguars
One of the top young quarterbacks in the game, Blake Bortles picked up last week where he left off from a breakthrough 2015 campaign. Bortles completed 24 of 39 passes with one touchdown and one interception. Jacksonville is led by a dynamic duo at wide receiver in the "Allens" – Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns. Robinson had six catches for 72 yards while Hurns had four for 75. They also have one of the NFL's most explosive tight ends in Julius Thomas, who caught five passes for 64 yards and a touchdown. On the ground, Chris Ivory missed the season opener so T.J. Yeldon got the brunt of the work, carrying the ball 21 times with one touchdown.
On Defense for the Chargers
Joey Bosa's roster exemption has been lifted, but it's unclear whether the third overall pick will make his Chargers debut as he returns from a slight hamstring injury. San Diego will look to bring the heat on Bortles after logging three sacks in Week 1 (Jerry Attaochu, Caraun Reid and Brandon Mebane). Meanwhile, Jatavis Brown could see an uptick in playing time as he saw 19 snaps in his first career game after missing most of the preseason.
On Defense for the Jaguars
Jacksonville boasts one of the game's top defensive fronts against the run, ranking near the top of the league a year ago. They added former Broncos DT Malik Jackson, mixing him in with Roy Miller and Sen'Derrick Marks in the interior. The Jaguars also have some bright young playmakers in DE Dante Fowler, Jr., CB Jalen Ramsey and OLB Myles Jack to pair with veterans such as DE Jared Odrick and MLB Paul Posluszny.
Series History
San Diego and Jacksonville have met eight times in the past with the Bolts owning a 6-2 record. The Bolts have won five straight, including three straight years in the Mike McCoy era.
By the Numbers
The Chargers rank eighth in total offense (388.0 ypg), 18th in passing (233.0 ypg), third in rushing (155.0 ypg) and 10th in points (27.0). The Jaguars rank 15th total offense (348.0 ypg), ninth in passing (300.0 ypg), 32nd in rushing (48.0 ypg) and 14th in points (23.0)
Defensively, the Bolts rank 27th in total defense (413.0 ypg), 29th in passing (330.0 ypg), 12th in rushing (83.0 ypg) and 27th in points allowed (33.0). Jacksonville ranks sixth in total defense (294.0 ypg), 10th in passing (199.0 ypg), 17th in rushing (95.0 ypg) and 22nd in points allowed (27.0).
Milestones on the Horizon
Philip Rivers ranks 11th in NFL history with 282 career touchdown passes. He needs eight more to move into the NFL's all-time Top-10 and pass Hall of Fame quarterback Johnny Unitas who has 290.
Rivers is only 1,350 passing yards from tying Dan Fouts for most in franchise history, and 13th in NFL history.
Antonio Gates heads into 2016 ranked seventh all-time with 104 career touchdown catches. He'll need seven more to catch Tony Gonzalez (111) for sixth all-time and first among tight ends.
Noteworthy vs. the Jaguars
In 2015, Philip Rivers passed 40,000 career passing yards during a Chargers win in Jacksonville. Rivers threw four touchdown passes against the Jaguars that day to pass Joe Montana for 11th place on the NFL's all-time touchdown passes list.
On Oct. 20, 2013, Jahleel Addae had his first career sack against Jacksonville.
Corey Liuget had a season-high two sacks in a 24-6 win in Jacksonville on Oct. 20, 2013. In 2010, he made his NFL debut in a game against the Jaguars.
Brandon Flowers had an interception off Blake Bortles when the Bolts and Jags met in 2014. Playing for Kansas City in 2013, Flowers had an interception and 32-yard return in the Chiefs' season opener at Jacksonville.
In 2013, D.J. Fluker was named Pepsi Next NFL Rookie of Week after the Bolts' Oct. 20 game at Jacksonville when he shifted from right to left tackle as injuries depleted the offensive line. The Bolts beat the Jaguars 24-6, as the line didn't allow any sacks and helped block for a then-season-high 158 rush yards.
Kellen Clemens made his NFL debut against Jacksonville on Oct. 8, 2006 while playing for the New York Jets.
In the Chargers' 31-25 win at Jacksonville last November, Antonio Gates had two touchdown catches in a 65-second span late in the second quarter.
Connections
General Manager Tom Telesco prepped at St. Francis High School in Athol Springs, New York. One of his teammates at St. Francis was Jacksonville Jaguars General Manager David Caldwell.
Chargers Special Teams Coordinator Craig Aukerman spent two seasons in Jacksonville, including 2012 as assistant special teams coach.
Linebackers Coach Bob Babich spent the 2013-15 seasons as the defensive coordinator in Jacksonville.
Assistant Defensive Backs Coach Chris Harris played for the Jaguars in 2012.
Tight Ends Coach John McNulty spent the 1998-99 seasons as an offensive quality control coach with the Jaguars before spending 2000-02 as their wide receivers coach.
Senior Director of Pro Personnel Louis Clark spent 16 seasons (1997-12) in player personnel with Jacksonville.
Chargers wide receiver Dontrelle Inman was signed with Jacksonville in 2011 as an undrafted rookie but was waived at the conclusion of training camp.
Safety Dwight Lowery played in Jacksonville from 2011-13 after being traded to the Jaguars by the New York Jets.
Jaguars wide receiver Bryan Walters spent time on the Chargers' practice squad as an undrafted free agent for two seasons (2010-11).
Kicker Jason Myers is a native of Chula Vista, California. He prepped at Mater Dei Catholic High School and was named San Diego Section IV CIF Player of the Year.
Jaguars assistant offensive line coach Luke Butkus spent most of the 2002 season on the San Diego Chargers' practice squad.
Tight ends/assistant special teams coach Ron Middleton played tight end for the Chargers during the 1995 season.
Wide receivers coach Jerry Sullivan began his NFL coaching career in 1992 with the Chargers.
College scout Marty Miller worked as a part-time staff assistant for the Chargers.
Athletic Trainer Scott Trulock spent three seasons (1999-01) with the Chargers.
College scout Jason Desjarlais spent four seasons (2002-05) as defensive coordinator/recruiting coordinator at the University of San Diego. Desjarlais also served as interim head coach for the Toreros in 2005.
Know Your Opponent
Take a closer look at who the Bolts will face for this Sunday's home opener at the Q.
Broadcast Information
CBS (KFMB, Channel 8 in San Diego) – Tom McCarthy (play-by-play), Adam Archuleta (analyst) and Scott Kaplan (reporter)
Rock 105.3 FM, XTRA Sports 1360 (San Diego) and AM 570 KLAC (Los Angeles & Orange County) – Josh Lewin (play-by-play), Nick Hardwick (analyst) and Mike Costa (reporter)
Spanish Radio –XHFG 107.3 (San Diego)– Jorge Villanueva (play-by-play) and Tony Alvarez (analyst)
All Chargers radio broadcasts are now being streamed live on the team's official website, www.chargers.com. XTRA Sports 1360 Broadcasts with Josh Lewin (play-by-play) and Nick Hardwick (analyst) will begin two hours before kickoff and continue for 90 minutes of postgame coverage.
Download the Chargers Official Mobile App for live game coverage, stats, and game day news.
