The Chargers have two main objectives when they take the SoFi Stadium turf Sunday night to face Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers. One is to defeat the Steelers, of course, extending their modest winning streak to three games in a row and improving their overall record to 7-3.
It could be a tall order, given that the Steelers are coming off an impressive victory over the heretofore sizzling Indianapolis Colts and that the Chargers are hurting on their offensive line and among their running back ranks despite consecutive victories over the Minnesota Vikings and Tennessee Titans.
The second seems far more attainable, and it could happen on the Chargers’ first offensive play. At some point in the early moments Sunday, it’s expected that wide receiver Keenan Allen will catch one of Justin Herbert’s flawless spirals for his 955th career reception with the Chargers, tying Hall of Fame tight end Antonio Gates’ franchise record.
It could be as simple as a catch along the sideline or over the middle for a 10-yard gain, which is Allen’s average this season. Or it could happen on an important third-down conversion to keep an initial drive moving downfield. Or it could happen in the end zone, capping a lengthy possession.
“It would mean a lot,” Allen said of catching and passing Gates. “It’s something I always wanted to do coming into the league, be one of the best. Obviously, being one of the best for the organization would mean a lot. You don’t think about it when you’re a kid. You just think about playing and being the best.
“You don’t understand what it really takes to be the best. Definitely been blessed. This is my 13th year. Dealt with a couple of injuries, but I’ve been able to bounce back from all of them and just kind of remain who I am and continue to do what I do. I think I’m, like, 88 games less (than Gates played).
“So, that’s fire, too.”
Unlike a seventh victory of the season, a 955th catch while wearing a Chargers lightning bolt on the sides of his helmet seems almost like a certainty. After all, Allen has caught at least one pass in 80 consecutive games while wearing a Chargers uniform. He has a team-leading 50 catches this season.
Overall, Allen has caught passes totaling 11,050 yards while spending 12 of his 13 seasons in the NFL with the Chargers. Gates, who played from 2003-18, amassed more yardage in franchise history with 11,841. That franchise record probably won’t fall this season, though.
Sunday’s game will be Allen’s 149th with the Chargers. He also played 15 games last season during a one-year sabbatical with the Chicago Bears. Gates played all of his 236 games in the NFL with the San Diego and Los Angeles Chargers. Allen and Gates were teammates from 2013-18.
“We talked about it a little bit coming out of the tunnel during the alumni week,” Allen said, referring to an on-field celebration of many of the Chargers’ past greats earlier this season. “I just threw it in his ear. ‘You know I’m close, right.’ He’s, like, ‘Yeah, I know, I know.’ He said he’ll be there and he’d be good.”
Tying and breaking the Chargers’ record for receptions wouldn’t be the first remarkable milestone Allen has reached this season. He became the 16th player in league history with 1,000 receptions earlier this season. He stands 14th overall with 1,024 going into Sunday’s game.
Allen also is the first receiver in league history to catch 400 or more passes from two quarterbacks, catching 520 from Philip Rivers and 418 (and counting) from Herbert. Jerry Rice caught 386 from Joe Montana and 568 from Steve Young, a trio of San Francisco 49ers Hall of Famers.
A scan of the league’s top receivers this season indicates that the 33-year-old Allen stands alone among his generation. His 50 receptions rank 10th, with all nine pass-catchers ahead of him younger, led by 25-year-old Ja’Marr Chase of the Cincinnati Bengals with 76 catches going into Week 10.
What’s more, what makes Allen such a reliable and effective target is his ability to come through with a catch on the most important downs. Allen is tied for seventh with 33 receptions that have resulted in first downs this season. George Pickens of the Dallas Cowboys leads the league with 42.
“He’s had an incredible, positive impact on our football team,” Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said recently. “It’s probably a thousand little things when it comes to training and how he goes about his business. The proof is in the pudding in how he plays. Nothing but respect.”
Said Herbert: “He’s very smart. He understands defenses and how they’re playing him. He sees coverages and where he needs to be. He’s seen so many different coverages and so many different looks that he’s got a great feel for the game, and combine that with superior athleticism and it’s a great combination.”
CHARGERS (6-3) vs. STEELERS (5-3)
When: 5:20 p.m. Sunday
Where: SoFi Stadium
TV/Radio: KNBC (Ch. 4); 640 AM/94.3 FM (Spanish)