CHARGERS (3-0) at GIANTS (0-3)
When: Sunday, 10 a.m. PT
Where: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J.
TV/Radio: CBS (Ch. 2); 640 AM/94.3 FM (Spanish)
Line: Chargers by 6½ points
Notable injury designations
Chargers: OUT: RG Mekhi Becton (concussion), WR Derius Davis (knee), TE Will Dissly (knee). QUESTIONABLE: C Bradley Bozeman (back), DB Elijah Molden (hamstring).
Giants: OUT: PK Graham Gano (groin), DL Chauncey Golston (ankle), RB Tyrone Tracy (shoulder). DOUBTFUL: DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches (foot).
What’s at stake: A victory over the Giants would give the Chargers their first 4-0 record to start a season since 2002, and it would also strengthen their grip on first place in the AFC West. The Chargers last won a division title in the 2009 season. The Giants announced rookie Jaxson Dart would replace veteran Russell Wilson at quarterback. Dart spent his freshman season at USC and then transferred to Mississippi for the next three. He was the Giants’ first-round draft pick.
Who’s better: The Chargers surged in the various NFL power rankings after victories over the Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders and Denver Broncos to start the season. For example, NFL.com ranks the Chargers fourth behind the Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions, each of whom is also 3-0. The Giants are 30th-ranked in the 32-team league. Quarterback Justin Herbert leads the NFL with 860 passing yards through three games. Led by Herbert, the Chargers are second in the league in net passing yardage at 270 per game. The Giants’ defense is ranked 28th against the pass, giving up an average of 252 yards per game.
Matchup to watch: The Chargers’ offensive line struggled to keep the Broncos’ defensive front away from Herbert in Week 3, losing right guard Mekhi Becton to a concussion in the first half. The Giants’ defensive front could pose problems for the Chargers’ offensive line, especially with Becton sidelined. Rookie running back Omarion Hampton rushed for 70 yards and one touchdown on 19 carries against the Broncos. The starting job is his after Najee Harris suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon injury. Sunday.
Chargers win if: The Chargers must play to the high standards they have set for themselves in the season’s first three games. There can be no letdown or their winning streak will come to an end. It means they must protect Herbert and actually improve their blocking from Week 3. It also means they must play the sort of stingy defense that’s held the opponents to an average of 16.7 points per game, fourth-best in the league, and 276.7 net yards per game, eighth-best.
Fantasy sleeper: Hampton gets the nod this week, based on a number of factors, not least of which is his status as the Chargers’ top running back in the absence of Harris. There’s also the fact that the Giants have given up an average of 153.3 net yards rushing, ranking 31st in the NFL.
Prediction: There is always the chance the Chargers will come out flat against a struggling opponent after a rousing start to the season, with victories over each of their three division opponents. It’s not likely, but what’s that line about any given Sunday in the NFL? Chargers 28, Giants 17.