Los Angeles Chargers: Staff predictions vs. Indianapolis Colts

The Los Angeles Chargers host an Indianapolis Colts team without Andrew Luck in Week 1 in a game that might actually have more Charger fans in attendance.

The Los Angeles Chargers had to brace themselves for a very tough game in Week 1 when the NFL schedule was first announced. However, after an abrupt retirement by Andrew Luck, the Chargers appear to have a much easier task at hand in the Indianapolis Colts.

The Chargers enter the game as 6.5 points favorites, although there has been some mystique around the Colts surprising the Bolts in Week 1, especially with Derwin James, Russell Okung and Melvin Gordon all out of action.

Here is how the LA Sports Hub staff sees the first game of the year going for the Chargers.

Ahmad Akkaoui: 28-10, Los Angeles Chargers

The Colts are a big question mark now that Andrew Luck is out of the picture. We don’t know if T.Y. Hilton can excel with Jacoby Brissett and we don’t know if Brissett has game. He needs to feed his star wideout early and often.

Let’s hope Belichick and Brady taught him some trade secrets.

The Chargers, on the other hand, are just getting better with time, and after a tough loss again the eventual champions last season, I think they’re going to start the season with a win at home against Indy. They have to give their fans in Carson some hope during the last season there.

Jamaal Artis: 17-14, Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers start the NFL season at home against the Indianapolis Colts. On paper it seems like a favorable matchup, the Colts just had their season turned upside down when franchise quarterback Andrew Luck retired abruptly.

Don’t be fooled the Colts have Jacoby Brissett the athletic type of quarterback that can give defenses trouble much like Lamar Jackson did in last years Chargers playoff win. On the other side of the ball, the Colts strength on defense was their ability to stop the run ranking sixth in the NFL for yards per run.

That will prove difficult for the Chargers who have yet to get holdout Melvin Gordon back on the team. Chargers QB Philip Rivers has dangerous weapons in the WR corps but his age may show against the touch Colts defense.

Hil Lopez: 24-20, Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers go into their first home game of the season without Melvin Gordon who is in a contract dispute with the team and shows no sign of coming back anytime soon.

However, Coach Anthony Lynn has expressed little to no concern about him coming back as they have two capable backs of handling the load in Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson. With Philip Rivers still leading the helm, and Keenan Allen back for another year, the Chargers look to continue their quest to reach the Super Bowl.

In this particular game, the Colts will surprise early and keep up with the Chargers. Although, without Andrew Luck who retired, they will not have enough offensive firepower to keep up with the Chargers.

Redan Lopez: 27-20, Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers come into Week 1 with a ton of question marks. Chargers’ Running Back Melvin Gordon will not play due to holding out for a new contract, leaving backups Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson to carry the load.

Safety Derwin James is out due to a broken foot, leaving the Chargers vulnerable on deep throws downfield.  Chargers’ Tight End Hunter Henry comes into his first regular-season action since tearing ACL early last season.

It remains to see how effective and explosive he will be. The Colts have a few questions of their own. The surprising retirement of ex-Colts Quarterback Andrew Luck has left the Colts scrambling behind an inexperienced Jacoby Brissett.

However, Brissett does have experience with Luck out though, which should help in keeping the team afloat through the season. Brissett looks to be more of a downgrade for star receiver T.Y. Hilton and tight ends Eric Ebron and Jack Doyle.

I’m not sold on Brissett leading the Colts’ offense against a formidable Chargers defense. The Chargers are at home, and I think they can still pull this one out despite missing a few key starters.

Look for a quick start to the season from Chargers’ receiver Keenan Allen who will have 10 catches for 150 yards and two touchdowns. The Colts will take a quick lead, but the Chargers will score 24 unanswered points to pull ahead for good.

Jason Reed: 26-20, Los Angeles Chargers

This totally feels like a game where the Chargers get out in front of the Colts early on but slowly lose their lead, with the game coming down to the last second with Jacoby Brissett looking to lead a two-minute drive.

Philip Rivers will have three touchdowns and the Chargers will jump ahead 21-0. However, that is when things will start falling apart and the Bolts will only be able to score two field goals the rest of the game, while the Colts rally to 20 points.

With the game on the line, though, Brissett will make a typical inexperienced quarterback mistake that the Chargers D will capitalize on and secure the win.

Jon Soden: 21-17, Indianapolis Colts

The Los Angeles Chargers will play the Indianapolis Colts to open the season.

It will be interesting to see how the Colts respond in their first game in the post-Andrew Luck era — will they feel sorry for themselves, or use it as motivation to prove everyone wrong?

Jacoby Brissett will also be eager to prove everyone wrong and will have a big game.

Even though the Chargers have a stellar defense behind Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram, they will definitely miss having Derwin James out on the field.

The Chargers have other questions looming as well, including the contract dispute with Melvin Gordon, who, barring a huge surprise contract, will not play Week 1.