The matchups between Philip Rivers and Jay Cutler traditionally come with some fireworks as both the Chargers and Bears are searching for a key win to their season. Both teams are coming into the game short-handed as San Diego officially lost Keenan Allen for the season due to a kidney injury. With Stevie Johnson expected to take on an expanded role in the offense, the Chargers are hopeful to finally get Melvin Gordon moving on Monday Night Football.
A lot has been made about the rookie struggles from Gordon who has not been the consistent threat many believed he would be coming out of Wisconsin. San Diego is coming off a game where they managed just 81 yards rushing combined between all of the players. With Branden Oliver out for the season, Gordon needs to step up and according to offensive coordinator Frank Reich, the plan is to keep feeding the beast.
"So many times in the running game it's just getting to enough runs where your guy can break loose for two or three," Reich said, via ESPN.com. "And we've seen that Melvin has that incredible ability. He's had a number of 20-plus runs. So we've just got to keep feeding him the ball. It's simple math in the NFL. When it's third down, the shorter you have to go the higher the percentage your conversion rate is. So it really is simple math. So when you can run the ball effectively, usually what you end up with is third-and-medium or third-and-short."
The issue for Gordon is that Danny Woodhead is proving to be the bigger x-factor for the Chargers' offense and they traditionally do not have both players on the field at the same time. Woodhead has been a dual-threat in the run and passing game as he has been the spark needed. With Allen out, that is expected to continue as he could see more playing time than Gordon moving forward.
"It's a two-fold thing," Reich said, via ESPN.com. "One is Danny's ability to create leverage, create space and create windows for Philip to throw into. And then Philip has the ability to find him and get him an accurate throw. Because if you get a guy who's already created leverage and created space and separation, then with his athletic ability I think that's why Danny is doing so well with yards after catch."
The biggest issue for the Chargers is replacing leading-receiver Allen. Malcom Floyd and Antonio Gates will be getting extra looks while Johnson is going to be getting a bigger role in Week 9. The wide receiver is dealing with a hamstring injury. Johnson told the media that he is not fully healthy, but is planning on playing against the Bears regardless. Along with Johnson, Dontrelle Inman is expected to play a lot as wekk as he stepped in for Allen last year as well.
"I'm out there to prove that I can be reliable and that I can step up for my team," Inman said, via the San Diego Union Tribune. "It's always tough to lose a brother. On the field, it's not as tough as in this locker room and in the meeting room. We miss (Allen) there more than we do on the field, just his personality."