With a disappointing 1-2 record, the Los Angeles Chargers really need a win in Week 4.
They will play the Houston Texans on Sunday, and the Texans are the type of type they can use as a punching bag to get themselves back on track.
The Chargers’ biggest problem right now is injuries, as Justin Herbert, Joey Bosa, Keenan Allen, Rashawn Slater and J.C. Jackson, among others, are banged up.
Allen and Jackson missed Week 3 versus the Jacksonville Jaguars, while Bosa suffered a groin injury that day that required surgery and Herbert continues to deal with fractured rib cartilage.
However, there is a little bit of good news for Los Angeles, as Jackson will be able to play on Sunday.
Chargers CB JC Jackson is off the injury report, is expected to play Sunday against the Texans.
— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) September 30, 2022
Allen, unfortunately, will sit as he reportedly “felt something” during practice on Thursday and left early.
But having Jackson back will help what has been a poor pass defense thus far this year.
The Chargers Could Really Use Jackson
Los Angeles missed the playoffs last season largely because of a lackluster defense, and the acquisition of Jackson during the offseason was seen as a major step towards rectifying that problem.
Jackson, 26, is one of the NFL’s rising cornerbacks, and he made the Pro Bowl last season for the first time while leading the league in passes defended.
Statistically, he has been one of the game’s better corners over the last few years.
Most interceptions since 2017:
Xavien Howard: 27
J.C. Jackson: 25
Kevin Byard: 23 pic.twitter.com/KDXcJtLeI3— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) August 25, 2022
Most passes defended since 2020…
Trevon Diggs – 41
Xavien Howard – 40
James Bradberry – 38
J.C. Jackson – 37 pic.twitter.com/wZvm1OsuwH— NFL Stats (@NFL_Stats) September 27, 2022
The former New England Patriot had ankle surgery in late August, and although he played in Week 2, he went back on the shelf and didn’t suit up last week versus the Jaguars.
Having a high-level corner like him allows the Chargers to contain opposing wide receivers one-on-one, as he allowed a completion percentage of just 49.1 percent and a passer rating of 46.8 last year when his man was targeted.
The Texans don’t have a lot of offensive weapons, but they do have Brandin Cooks, who is a very capable wideout.
Cooks registered 1,037 yards and six touchdowns in 2021, and he has gone over 1,000 yards in six of his eight previous seasons.
Although L.A. won in Week 1 over the Las Vegas Raiders, it allowed Davante Adams to put together 141 yards on 10 catches without the services of Jackson.
But with him the following week against the Kansas City Chiefs, the Chargers didn’t allow any of their receivers to get above 51 yards.
In the first three games of this season, L.A. is just 20th in passing yards allowed, 25th in passing touchdowns allowed and 29th in total points allowed.
If it is to get back on track and make the playoffs, let alone make a serious run there, it will have to show some big improvements in those rankings and do so soon.
If Jackson is able to stay healthy and in the lineup, the Chargers should show some type of measurable improvement on the defensive side of the football.
