Chargers Daily Links: Score predictions for Week 13

Good morning, Chargers fans and happy Friday!

The Bolts are hosting the 5-6 Patriots this Sunday at SoFi Stadium where they will look to earn their fourth win of the season. The last time these two teams met was back in the playoffs of the 2018 season. That game didn’t go so well, but this is a much different Patriots team despite Bill Belichick still being the head coach.

Even though we all know what to expect from this team on Sunday, it doesn’t make thing all that much easier. New England is going to try and run it down the Chargers’ throats from the very beginning, meaning one of the weaker points of the defense will have to find a way to step up like never before.

I think this game is going to be close. I’d honestly be very surprised if it wasn’t. When one team wants to shorten the game as much as possible by pounding it on the ground, chances are it’s going to be low-scoring on top of it.

My gut says this game will be 20-17 Chargers. I know it’s almost idiotic at this point to pick the Bolts in any game on the remaining schedule but they’re due for a win against a better opponent, or at least one with a better record at the time.

I don’t think the Chargers will be able to match their ground game so I expect Herbert to throw more often than not. With some notable defenders in the secondary, I can see him throwing for under 300 yards — we’ll give him ~260 — and two throwing scores.

Allen has a decent day against Gilmore as the two duke it out throughout. Let’s give him six catches for 72 yards and no score.

Defensively, Joey Bosa takes advantage of a weak tackle situation and has at least one sack on Cam Newton. Bosa mentioned on Thursday that Cam likes to hold on to the ball so he predicts an increased chance of getting home on Sunday.

That’s just a few predictions ahead of this week’s game. Go ahead and gives us yours in the comments!

And now for today’s links.

Chargers News:

Jason Reed discusses what it would take for the Chargers to draft Oregon left tackle Penei Sewell (Bolt Beat)

Gavino Borquez highlights how the Chargers will face a familiar face on defense (Chargers Wire)

Joey Bosa was nominated as the Chargers’ Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award (Chargers.com)

Check out the latest episode of Chargers Weekly with Matt “Money” Smith (Chargers.com)

NFL News:

PFF’s All-Pro Team through 12 weeks (Pro Football Focus)

Head coach hot seat rankings (CBS Sports)

See who is currently among the top five gunning for league MVP (ESPN)

WR Josh Gordon has been reinstated for the final two games of 2020 (ESPN)

The Chiefs and Steelers can clinch a playoff spot this week with wins (Pro Football Talk)

Who makes the top of the Week 13 QB Index? (NFL.com)