CHARLOTTE — The Panthers return to Charlotte in Week 2, ready to face the Los Angeles Chargers for the home opener. The Chargers (1-0) are coming off a 22-10 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. It's the first win of the Jim Harbaugh era in Los Angeles.
The Panthers are 6-1 all-time against the Chargers. Carolina is 2-1 at home and 4-0 on the road. Before the Chargers arrive this week, get to know the Justin Herbert lead crew.
A formidable pass rush
The Chargers pass rush is composed of two veterans, with experience, a pedigree and a resume that lends to every opponent circling them on the game plan. Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack are a force, with 171 career sacks between them. They each padded that category on Sunday, with Bosa posting one sack for a six yard loss, and Mack adding 1.5 for 10 yards lost.
The duo set an edge that proves formidable, and requires a lot of attention. As such, it frees up others, like defensive end Morgan Fox, who joined in for half a sack versus the Raiders.
Whether it's double-teams, extra protection or big personnel, the Panthers will have to devote a lot towards Bosa and Mack on Sunday, in order to create a bubble of protection around Bryce Young.
Herbert's heroics?
In his four years in the league, quarterback Justin Herbert has been asked to play a lot of hero ball for the Chargers. More often than not, he's delivered. In 2020, he set league records with the most pass completions and passing touchdowns for a rookie. But the Chargers have made an effort to take a lot of that weight off of Herbert's shoulders. After trading Keenan Allen this spring, the Chargers drafted Ladd McConkey in the first round. The rookie and Herbert showed they've already established a connection, with five receptions for 39 yards and a touchdown on Sunday.
Additionally, Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins have provided breathing room in the run game, with the latter wracking up 135 yards and a touchdown on 10 rushes against the Raiders.
And on days Herbert can't be the hero, he can lean on the defense. When that unit holds opponents to 20 or fewer points, Herbert is 21-0 as a starting quarterback (when playing the whole game).
Offensive line stepping up protection
Perhaps the biggest area of investment to protect Herbert though, has been the offensive line. The Raiders put pressure on Herbert, with five quarterback hurries and a sack, but only one of those hurries came in the second half, as the offensive line locked up protection. Maxx Crosby, who had three quarterback hurries and a tackle for loss, wasn't able to make a play in the backfield at all during the second half.
A lot of that was thanks to Joe Alt. According to Next Gen Stats, Alt didn't allow a single pressure on Herbert in 11 pass-block snaps against Crosby. Alt is part of a push by the Chargers to load up the line with big talent. He was the No. 5 overall pick in this years draft, becoming the third offensive line drafted by the Chargers in the first-round in the last four years. The others are left tackle, Rashawn Slater and left guard Zion Johnson.
And in the middle of the line, is former Panthers center, Bradley Bozeman. Due to Bozeman's familiarity with the Panthers' defensive scheme, and the absence of Derrick Brown (meniscus), don't be surprised if Ejiro Evero looks to disguise some coverages early on to try to cause some confusion for the Chargers.
Carolina holds a 5-1 edge in the all-time series against the Chargers.
Carolina Panthers fullback Mike Tolbert scores against the San Diego Chargers during the first half of a NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) runs past the defense of San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Shaun Phillips (95) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams celebrates as the referee indicates touchdown after his 45 yard reception against the San Diego Chargers during the first half of a NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Carolina Panthers fullback Mike Tolbert sails over the top of the San Diego Chargers defense to score a touchdown during the first half of a NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers loses the battle for the fumbled ball with Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Nate Chandler during the first half of a NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Carolina Panthers running back Mike Tolbert (35) tries to break the tackle of San Diego Chargers Eric Weddle (32) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
San Diego Chargers tight end Dante Rosario (88) runs as he tries to break the tackle of Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Thomas Davis (58) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
San Diego Chargers' Quentin Jammer and Eric Weddle watch as Carolina Panthers' DeAngelo Williams(34) and Cam Newton(1) celebrate their 45 yard touchdown pass during the first half of a NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton escapes the rush of San Diego Chargers inside linebacker Donald Butler during the first half of a NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
Tailgaters enjoy the sunshine prior to start of the NFL football game between the San Diego Chargers and the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith cuts behind a block after catching a ,pass against the San Diego Chargers during the second half of a NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Carolina Panthers' Ted Ginn (19) looks for some running room as he runs past San Diego Chargers' Derek Watt (34) during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. The Panthers won 28-16. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Jonathan Stewart, front, tries to run through the grasp of San Diego Chargers' Korey Toomer, back, during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. The Panthers won 28-16. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
San Diego Chargers' Philip Rivers (17) looks to pass from the end zone against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. The Panthers won 28-16. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
San Diego Chargers' Philip Rivers (17) grimaces as he is sacked for a touchback by Carolina Panthers' Mario Addison during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. The Panthers won 28-16. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) looks for some running room against the San Diego Chargers during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. The Panthers won 28-16. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
San Diego Chargers head coach Norv Turner, left, shakes hands with Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera after an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012 in San Diego. The Panthers won 31-7. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
San Diego Chargers' Kenneth Farrow (27) looses his helmet, but moves the ball against the Carolina Panthers' Kurt Coleman (20) and Mario Addison (97) during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. The Panthers won 28-16. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers safety Chris Harris (43) lifts San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson off the ground as he tackles him on a 8-yard run in the third quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Carolina Panthers head coach John Fox coaches defensive end Julius Peppers, left, during the third quarter of their NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, in San Diego. The Panthers won the game 26-24. (AP Photo/Chris Park)
Carolina Panthers safety Chris Harris celebrates after forcing San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates to fumble in the third quarter of an NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers Sunday Sept. 7, 2008 in San Diego. Panthers cornerback Chris Gamble returned the ball for a touchdown. (AP Photo/Chris Park)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme throws a pass during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, in San Diego. The Panthers won 26-24. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Carolina Panthers Dante Rosario, right, leaps to catch a 14-yard pass from quarterback Jake Delhomme while San Diego Chargers' Eric Weddle, left foreground, defends during the final moments of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, in San Diego. The play gave Carolina a 26-24 victory over San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Park)
San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates (85) fumbles as he is hit by Carolina Panthers safety Chris Harris (43) and cornerback Chris Gamble, left, during an NFL football game Sunday Sept. 7, 2008 in San Diego. Gamble recovered the fumble and ran it back 31 yards for a touchdown. (AP Photo/Chris Park)
Carolina Panthers tight end Dante Rosario, left, makes a 14-yard touchdown catch in front of the coverage of San Diego Chargers' Eric Weddle, right, as time runs out in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, in San Diego. The touchdown gave the Panthers a 26-24 win. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
San Diego Chargers wide receiver Chris Chambers, left, slips past Carolina Panthers free safety Charles Godfrey (30) for a touchdown on a 44-yard pass from quarterback Philip Rivers during the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday Sept. 7, 2008, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Park)
Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams (34) breaks the tackle of San Diego Chargers' Derek Smith, right, on an eight-yard run during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, left, throws a pass under pressure from Carolina Panthers Thomas Davis, right, during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
San Diego Chargers' Jesse Chatman (24) goes between teammate Shane Olivea (70) and Carolina Panthers' Colin Branch (28) for a touchdown in the final minutes of the Chargers' 17-6 win in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
San Diego Chargers quarterback Drew Brees (9) looks to pass to Lorenzo Neal (41) in the third quarter of the Chargers' 17-6 win over the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
A potential touchdown pass slips through the hands of Carolina Panthers' Muhsin Muhammad in the fourth quarter against the San Diego Chargers in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004. The Chargers won, 17-6. (AP Photo/Rusty Burroughs)
Carolina Panthers' Brad Hoover (45) breaks the tackle of San Diego Chargers' Terrence Kiel (48) in the first quarter in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers' Muhsin Muhammad (87) is brought down by San Diego Chargers' Jerry Wilson in the first quarter in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004. (AP Photo/Rusty Burroughs)
Carolina Panthers tight end Wesley Walls (85) spikes a ball during a 26 to 7 Carolina Panthers win over the San Diego Chargers on September 14, 1997 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Carolina Panthers tight end Wesley Walls (85) runs upfield during a 26 to 7 Carolina Panthers win over the San Diego Chargers on September 14, 1997 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Running back Tshimanga "Tim" Biakabutuka (21) of the Carolina Panthers runs upfield as Chargers linebacker Junior Seau (55) attempts a tackle as Chargers defensive tackle Norman Hand (96) watches in a 26 to 7 win over the San Diego Chargers on September 14, 1997 at Qaulcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
