"Speaking on NBC's "Sunday Night Football" broadcast, former Patriots safety Devin McCourty said that there was more to the Chargers' decision to throw away a Week 18 game than just rest some of their top players. "I think the Chargers not playing their guys [Sunday], I think they wanted to go to New England and play against this Patriots team," t he three-time Super Bowl champion said."
"Still, the Patriots aren't necessarily equipped to exploit Los Angeles' greatest flaw this season: their porous offensive line. After losing both of their franchise tackles in Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt this season due to injury, Los Angeles' O-line has taken on water this season, routinely putting Herbert under duress. The Chargers entered Week 18 with a league-worst pass block win rate of 54 percent, per ESPN,"
The Chargers rested starters in Week 18 after their AFC West hopes ended, prioritizing extra rest for Justin Herbert following recent surgery on his non-throwing hand. Los Angeles lost 19-3 to Denver, locking Denver into the AFC No. 1 seed and creating a Wild-Card meeting at Gillette Stadium against New England. The matchup appears attractive because New England lacks a dominant pass rush while the Chargers' offensive line has been porous after injuries to franchise tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt. Los Angeles entered Week 18 with a league-worst 54 percent pass block win rate per ESPN, routinely putting Herbert under duress.
Read at Boston.com
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