Offensively, the Buccaneers rank third overall, eighth in rushing, sixth in passing, and fifth in scoring. However, their defensive stats tell a different story, as they rank 28th overall, 11th against the rush, 30th in pass defense, and 22nd in scoring defense. Comparatively, the Chargers are 24th overall in offense, with a 19th ranking in rushing, 25th in passing, and 13th in scoring. Their defense is more solid, sitting 11th overall, tied for 14th in rushing, 8th against the pass, and 1st in scoring.
A pivotal player for the Buccaneers is quarterback Baker Mayfield, who aims to secure Tampa Bay’s fourth consecutive NFC South title. With 28 touchdown passes this season, he has equaled his career-best but has struggled with turnovers more than the previous year. In last week’s win against Las Vegas, he threw for 295 yards and three touchdowns, though he also committed three turnovers in the first half.
For the Chargers, wide receiver Quentin Johnston is a key player to watch after a comeback performance where he caught five passes for 48 yards and a touchdown against Kansas City. Johnston has shown inconsistency throughout his early NFL career, so his ability to build upon that performance will be significant this week, especially with rookie Ladd McConkey potentially missing the game due to injuries.
A key matchup to watch is between Chargers running back Kimani Vidal and Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David. Vidal, who has increased his role in the Chargers’ offense, had eight carries for 34 yards in the game against Kansas City. He will need to navigate David, a seasoned veteran with 13 years of experience, who recorded seven tackles, a sack, and a fumble recovery last week and is closing in on yet another season with over 100 tackles.
Injury updates are crucial as well; Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. is expected to miss a few weeks due to a knee sprain, while several other players including safety Mike Edwards and wide receiver Kameron Johnson will also be sidelined. On the Chargers’ front, quarterback Justin Herbert is dealing with a sprained left ankle but was a full participant in practice. Tight end Will Dissly and wide receiver Jalen Reagor are confirmed to be out.
Historically, while the Chargers dominated the early meetings between these two teams, winning eight of the first nine encounters, the Buccaneers have taken the last three. This game will be the Buccaneers’ third visit to Los Angeles and their second at SoFi Stadium, where they previously lost to the Rams in 2021.
Additionally, the Buccaneers have found success in the late months of the season, boasting a 7-1 record in December/January games since last season and 19-5 going back to 2020. Wide receiver Mike Evans is approaching significant milestones, needing just 17 receptions and 426 yards to achieve his 11th consecutive season with at least 60 catches and 1,000 receiving yards. Rachaad White, stepping up as the leading rusher, performed admirably last week, rushing for a season-high 90 yards and two touchdowns. Contrarily, the Chargers have maintained a formidable turnover rate, recording the league’s lowest number with only six turnovers this season.
As for fantasy implications, the contrasting playing styles between the teams make it an intriguing matchup. The Buccaneers generally find themselves in high-scoring games, while the Chargers pace their games differently, often favoring defensive breakdowns. The team that can control the tempo of the game may significantly impact fantasy outcomes for the players involved.