I sat down with NBC 7 Sports Director and former Chargers linebacker Jim Laslavic to ask him five burning Chargers questions of the week.
As always, he offered some interesting insight from the perspective of a player and reporter as the Bolts get ready to face their division rivals in the Oakland Raiders on Sunday.
Here are five questions with Laz:
1. What do you think the team’s mindset is after three losses and a bye?
Doubt has entered the equation. Not just with the players, but also the coaches and the front office. Hey, the five-game winning streak was impressive, especially the win against the Seahawks.
So in the back of everyone’s mind, they know they can beat almost anyone at home.
It’s imperative they win the next two. Because as I mentioned on Football Night in San Diego, there are five reasons they need the next two. That would be the final five games on the schedule: Ravens, Pats, Broncos, 49es and Chiefs.
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2. How much of an impact will the bye week rest have on the Chargers’ injuries?
The bye week came at the right time. The injured players should start to return.
It will make a huge difference on defense to get Melvin Ingram back in the line-up. And obviously, Ryan Mathews will make a difference on offense.
The team finished strong last season. Joe Paterno always said, if you did it once, you can do it again.
3. Just how bad are the Raiders? Will they win a game this season?
It doesn’t looks as if the Raiders have a winnable game remaining on their schedule. They won’t be favorites at home against the Chiefs, 49ers or Bills. And they have tough road games at the Chargers, Rams, Chiefs, and Broncos.
Maybe they can beat the Bills in the next to last game of the season.
4. Can Ryan Mathews save the running game?
Ryan is just part of the solution. The offensive line needs to work together better. D.J. Fluker should benefit from having a few days off.
Maybe the Chargers should see if Lorenzo Neal has anything left. It might be time to add a nasty fullback to the roster.
5. Who do you think is the best team in the AFC right now?
The Patriots have hit their stride. Based on the way they handled the Broncos, they would have to be considered the most complete team right now.
But don’t rule out the Chiefs. Their defense has allowed the fewest points in the conference. They’re tough at Arrowhead Stadium.
Four of their final seven games are at home. The road games are Oakland, Arizona and Pittsburgh.
We’ll know a lot more about the Chiefs after the next three weeks. They host the Seahawks, travel to Oakland and host the Broncos.
