Los Angeles Chargers

Speaking With the Enemy: Jaguars vs. Chargers

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Let’s put that ugly loss to the Kansas City Chiefs last week in the past. No more talking about it…. until they meet again, of course. Now, the San Diego Chargers return home to battle one of the league’s upstart teams in the Jacksonville Jaguars. Though the Chargers lead the all-time series 6-2, this is a dangerous game. A loss could send the team into a tailspin that it may not recover from, looking at its upcoming schedule.

For a little more insight into this game and the Jaguars, we spoke with Daniel Lago of Black and Teal. I had five questions for him.

Q: The Jags lost to Green Bay last week, but had a chance to pull it out in the end and look like an improved team. What can the team take from that loss and is there any kind of sense of a “moral victory” in how they played?

A: The “moral victory” question has been asked a lot since the game ended Sunday and I think the team is past the point of feeling good about any loss. In the 4th year of the rebuild, there’s an expectation that the Jaguars need to win these types of games.

Aug 28, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) hands the ball off to running back Chris Ivory (33) in the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

Q: What is the status of Chris Ivory? Can we expect to see him in the lineup this week?

A: That’s up in the air and we probably won’t know until Friday at the earliest, but my gut says the Jaguars will keep him out. Historically, this coaching staff and front office has been cautious about rushing any player back into the lineup and the Jaguars are gearing up for hopefully a long season. Even if he is active on Sunday, I expect a lot of T.J. Yeldon.

My Opinion: The Chargers should plan on seeing a lot of Yeldon, as Daniel suggests. Truthfully, the Chargers are going to be tested through the air in a big way in this game as the Jaguars have several weapons for Blake Bortles to get the ball to. Last year, tight end Julius Thomas had two touchdown catches.

Guys like Jahleel Addae, Dwight Lowery and the rest of the secondary is going to have to have a big game.

Sep 11, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson (87) runs with the ball as Jacksonville Jaguars middle linebacker Paul Posluszny (51) defends during the first half at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Q: If you were the Chargers’ offensive coordinator, how would you go about attacking this Jacksonville defense?

A: Honestly? I wouldn’t change a thing from what the Chargers have done in their last 2 games over the last 2 years. Philip Rivers has absolutely eviscerated the Jaguars’ defense in the last 2 meetings, with guys like Dontrelle Inman and Eddie Royal putting up big numbers. Even without Keenan Allen, I don’t see how Rivers has a bad day, particularly given the lack of pass rush the Jaguars showed in week 1. If I’m the Chargers, I make it a pass heavy game plan and let Rivers do his thing.

My Opinion: That sounds great, but I’d still like to see the team establish a running game and stick to it. I want to see Melvin Gordon get at least 20 carries in this game, at minimum. Though Rivers can get into a “shootout” with the best of them, I still think San Diego is at its best when it controls time of possession and runs the ball right at its opponent. Can they do that against Jacksonville?

Aug 11, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars rookie cornerback Jalen Ramsey (20) during warmups before a game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Q: Did the Chargers make a mistake by passing on Jalen Ramsey in order to draft Joey Bosa?

A: It’s hard to say since it’s just week 2, but I personally think so. Even though I liked Bosa coming out of the draft, I liked Jalen Ramsey more. Ramsey didn’t get in the mix too much last week, but he showed an aggressiveness and swagger that’s been much needed in Jacksonville. Ramsey was the perfect fit for Jacksonville, but I understand why the Chargers opted to bolster the pass rush given how well the corners have been playing for them. Too early to tell for sure, but I give the edge to Ramsey.

My Opinion: Though it would be easy to choose Ramsey at this point due to the circus that Joey Bosa’s contract negotiations became, it is too early to say, as Daniel mentions. I felt that Bosa was the right choice when it was made, but I would have a tough time arguing that right now.

Nov 29, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; San Diego Chargers running back Melvin Gordon (28) runs the ball as Jacksonville Jaguars conerback Davon House (31) defends in the fourth quarter at EverBank Field. The Chargers won 31-25. Mandatory Credit: Jim Steve-USA TODAY Sports

Q: Jacksonville has never won in San Diego. Is this the week they get it done?

A: Yes. The Jaguars showed me something last week I haven’t seen in years – resilience. Over the first three years with Gus Bradley, the Jaguars could never dig themselves out of a hole and bad situations always devolved into downright catastrophes. After a turnover on the first drive that led to a short field and an easy Green Bay touchdown, the Jaguars fought back and kept it close until the very end. If not for 2 or 3 otherworldly plays by Aaron Rodgers and some horrific missed pass interference calls, the Jaguars would have won.