2023 NFL Week 11: Packers vs. Chargers Preview & Prediction

Despite it arguably being QB Jordan Love's best game last weekend vs. the Steelers, and the Packers really being in it till the end, the defense's impression of a sieve against Pittsburgh's running game ultimately led to yet another disappointing loss. We and many others predicted it, which offers no satisfaction whatsoever. As we've said for a while now, until the Pack can show us that they can click in all 3 phases of the game, we're hard pressed to be optimistic.

So what does that mean for Sunday's game against the Chargers? Let's see.

The Packers offense will need to score and score often in order for

the Packers to have a chance at beating the Chargers.

(Photo from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

The Preview

Every preview you read will say that this is the best QB the Packers defense will have seen to this point in the season. The Chargers are number 7 in scoring in the league. They are averaging nearly 27 points per game. If the Packers defense plays the way it did last week, well, the same result can be expected.

Yes, the Packers offense got some things clicking against the Steelers last week. In large part, it might be argued, because RB Aaron Jones was back on the field and involved. A lot. That always bodes well in terms of giving the Pack a chance. RB A.J. Dillon also had a good performance. If the two of them can establish a ground game this weekend and keep LA QB Justin Herbert on the sidelines, that will help. Control the clock. Please.

Jordan Love looked confident last week, made some nice throws, but also missed a few he needed to have, especially in the closing minutes. Let's hope he learned from the mistakes and kicks his game up a notch, as Chef Emeril might say. Need to find a way to close out a game with a W for a change instead of the L.

But it was the Packers defense, particularly against the run, that failed miserably. Two down lineman? How often did we see that scheme? Without adjustments? The Joe Barry approach. Oy. And still the Pack had a shot.

This game vs. the Chargers, who may be as vulnerable as the Steelers on defense, seems like one in which it will come down to how the Packers defense shows up. They have the talent. But, at least to this writer, they don't have (and haven't had for a few seasons now) the defensive coordinator to put them in position to succeed more often than not.

The Prediction

Despite the game being played at Lambeau Field, the Chargers come in at the time of this writing being 3-point favorites.

We hate to say it, but — once again — until the Packers can show us that they can show up in all phases of the game — for all 4 quarters — we don't see this game going the Packers' way against the Chargers offense. Hope we are wrong.

We're calling this game Chargers 34 - Packers 24.

Go Pack Go!!!

NFL Week 8 Review of Packers win vs Chiefs, NFL Week 9 Preview vs. Chargers — We're on a twofer binge!

Looking back at last week's game vs. the Kansas City Chiefs, the Green Bay Packers displayed some magnificent offensive firepower in coming away with a 31-24 win ... which, by the way, was exactly the score that we predicted in our pregame prediction (is that redundant?).

Anyway, the Pack had some explosive plays, which they haven't had many of this season. Aaron Jones is solidifying himself as a true threat both running and receiving. Fellow RB Jamaal Williams isn't too shabby in that department either, making an epically-good-highlight-reel-corner-of-the-endzone catch that really helped the Packers nail down the win. WR Jake Kumerow also made a nearly impossible catch at a critical point in the game. The offense was humming. And, still, WR Davante Adams was on the sidelines. So the Packers are good at offense, particularly with the best QB in the NFL, Aaron Rodgers, at the helm.

Packers RB Aaron Jones had a big day vs. the Chiefs.
(Photo: Charlie Riedel, AP)

But, to be honest, there are still issues on the defense, particularly in the secondary. KC receivers were open far too often with no Packer defender in sight. This has been nearly a season-long issue, although it seems to have gotten worse in the past four or five games. What will turn that around? If you have an answer, mail it to 1265 Lombardi Ave., Green Bay, WI. Still, the defense has been doing enough, at the right times, to keep the Pack in the win column. At least there's that. And, really, that's all that matters when the play clock strikes zero.

Packers will be playing the Chargers at Lambeau Field West today

While this is a home game for the 3-5 Chargers, it's LA and Los Angelinos haven't exactly warmed to the San Diego transplant or its temporary home at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson. The expectation is that the stadium will probably be more like a home game for the Packers than the Chargers. The chargers head coach (whoever it is) said that they really don't play for the fans anyway so that won't matter. We'll see. Not exactly a great way to attract fans. Of course, if they wanted to do that they would have stayed in San Diego. Just sayin'.

It is agreed, however, that the game is played on the field. The Packers are apparently as healthy this week as they have been pretty much all season, listing only 2 players with injury designations for today's game: WR Davante Adams and TE Robert Tonyan were both listed as questionable. Rookie TE Jace Sternberger was activated yesterday off the injured reserve list, although whether he will be active for the game today remains uncertain at the time of this writing. A decision was still awaited on S Ibraheim Campbell who was also on the injured reserve list. The Pack comes into this game at about as full strength as they can get, whether or not Adams is active. Yay.

The Chargers are going to be missing a few players on defense, with one DL already out and 3 other defenders listed as questionable. That should bode well for the Packers offense...as long as Bryan Bulaga and David Bakhtiari can handle the excellent edge rushing tandem of Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram. This is a tough challenge for Bulaga and Bakhtiari, perhaps especially so for the latter who has been getting flagged more than usual recently for holding penalties. Let's hope that doesn't come at a critical time in today's game.

The Chargers do have weapons in the form of QB Philip Rivers, of course, and RB Austin Ekeler who takes what Aaron Jones does up a notch. He is going to be a lot to handle, particularly in the receiving area. You don't want him tearing things up, but given recent coverage tendencies, the expectation is he is going to cause some damage in the Packers defense. And let's not forget former Wisconsin Badger standout RB Melvin Gordon, who seems to just be kicking off the rust from his unsuccessful contract holdout. Gordon can also cause problems for a defense.

The Prediction

The Packers are favored by 3-1/2 points. We see the Packers continuing their offensive roll, with the defense continuing its bend-don't-break trend. Combined, that's a win.

We're calling it Packers 38 - Chargers 23.

Go Pack Go!!!