Lions vs. Chargers live updates: Jahmyr Gibbs finds end zone to give Detroit lead

Some pregame thoughts on Chargers-Lions…

Have the Chargers actually turned a corner, or did they just beat up on two bad offenses the last two weeks in wins over the Bears and Jets? That question will be answered Sunday afternoon when the 4-4 Chargers host the 6-2 Lions at SoFi Stadium. This is a measuring-stick game for coach Brandon Staley’s team. The Lions, of course, have proven themselves as legitimate contenders. The magnitude of this game is not lost on Staley’s players — both in terms of record and what it will reveal about the Chargers’ chances over the rest of the season.

“This is a huge test for us,” edge rusher Joey Bosa said this week. “Obviously their O line is one of the best we’ve faced so far. Jared Goff is doing a really good job getting the ball out quick. Their defense is playing well. Just all around, a really good test. The last two weeks I think we had a couple good wins, but I think this is going to be a real big test for us, and we’ll have kind of a true understanding of where we sit after this game.”

Defensively, the Chargers must find a way to defend the middle of the field. I think Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson will try to attack Chargers linebacker Eric Kendricks, who has been up-and-down in coverage this season. Goff ranks 5th in EPA per dropback on throws between the numbers this season, according to TruMedia. On throws outside the numbers, Goff ranks 24th. Considering this, Staley will likely try to flood the middle of the field with bodies, similar to the game plan he devised against the Dolphins last season. That means the Chargers’ outside corners — Asante Samuel Jr. and Michael Davis — could be tested, sometimes in one-on-one situations. Another key matchup will be Chargers nickel corner Ja’Sir Taylor against Lions No. 1 receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, who has played 46.2 percent of his snaps in the slot this season, according to TruMedia. The Chargers defense has improved in recent weeks in part because of a ferocious pass rush featuring Bosa, Khalil Mack and rookie Tuli Tuipulotu. As Bosa alluded to, this Lions line presents a much tougher challenge than the Bears and Jets did. Detroit is also getting healthier up front coming off the bye. Center Frank Ragnow and left guard Jonah Jackson are both set to return. Ragnow missed the Lions’ Week 8 win over the Raiders. Jackson has not played since Week 6. Can the Chargers pass rush affect the game in a similar way against a more talented offensive line?

The Chargers offense, meanwhile, has been stumbling over the past five games. Since Week 4, coordinator Kellen Moore’s unit ranks 30th in success rate, according to TruMedia. The Chargers’ saving grace is how they have protected the ball. They have only turned the ball over on 8.9 percent of drives this season, the eighth-lowest rate in the league, according to TruMedia. But they will need to move the ball more productively to hang with a good Lions offense. The biggest question: Who is going to step up as the No. 2 receiving option behind Keenan Allen? Allen leads the Chargers with 720 receiving yards. With Mike Williams (ACL) and Joshua Palmer (knee sprain) both on injured reserve, no other player currently on the active roster has more than 200 receiving yards this season. Opposing defense can double Allen on every play with no real repercussions. A secondary option must emerge to force defenses to adjust. Is that rookie Quentin Johnston? Is that running back Austin Ekeler? Is that tight end Gerald Everett, or tight end Donald Parham? Is that receiver Jalen Guyton? The Chargers cannot run the ball effectively, and I do not see that changing to any impactful degree. The offensive improvement is going to have to flow through quarterback Justin Herbert finding his MVP-level form.