The Chargers’ 2019 regular season kicks off with a home matchup against the Colts this weekend.
Both teams found themselves in the playoffs last year, but they both came up short in the AFC Divisional Round. With that, expectations are set high for Los Angeles and Indianapolis this season.
Here are three matchups to watch when the Chargers host the Colts on Sunday:
OT Trent Scott vs. EDGE Justin Houston
Scott is making his first professional regular start at left tackle on Sunday, as he will be filling in for Russell Okung for at least for the first eight weeks. He won’t have an easy task as he will be set to prevent one of the best pass rushers from quarterback Philip Rivers’ blindside.
Houston was acquired by the Colts this offseason after being released by the Chiefs. When he played in Kansas City, Houston always caused fits for the Chargers. Houston has 78.5 career sacks, 7.5 of which have come against Los Angeles.
Scott was up and down this preseason, but he barely saw talent like Houston this summer. This will be a tough challenge for the undrafted free agent out of Grambling State, and he will have to be on his A-game if they wish to have as much production out of Rivers.
RB Austin Ekeler vs. LB Darius Leonard
The Chargers will be without running back Melvin Gordon for an undisclosed amount of time, as contract disputes continue to loom. His absence means that Ekeler will get the role as the No. 1 back. This isn’t to say that Justin Jackson won’t see the field, but Ekeler will likely get the majority of the snaps.
Ekeler has proven himself in a starting role, but he will be tasked with getting past Leonard, who has established himself as one of the best linebackers with only one season under his belt. Leonard was a tackling machine in 2018, posting 163 tackles, 12 of which came behind the line of scrimmage.
Indianapolis’ run defense was stout last season, not allowing any 100-yard rusher in the regular season. Ekeler will need to make sure the offensive line is doing their part in run blocking, and he will need to continue to do with he does best in space, utilizing his elusiveness and shiftiness to make Leonard miss.
CB Casey Hayward vs. WR T.Y. Hilton
Hayward has established himself as one of the NFL’s top cornerbacks, shutting down the league’s most prolific wide receivers. The 29-year old corner won’t have it easy his first week of the season going up against Hilton, who’s coming off a great 2018 campaign.
Hilton’s value has dropped a little bit after Andrew Luck announced his retirement, but he and quarterback Jacoby Brissett have managed to develop chemistry for three years now, and they put up some big plays throughout their training camp.
The last time the two matched up, Hilton went off for 174 yards and a touchdown on eight receptions. This was done with Luck throwing the ball to him, but Brissett is still more than capable of finding Indianapolis’ top target, so Hayward will have to slow Hilton from having another big game.
