The Detroit Lions and Chargers each seek to start their season in the win column when they kick off in San Diego on Sunday. Detroit wants revenge for its controversial playoff exit and that now-legendary, non-call against the Dallas Cowboys. The Chargers want to get to the postseason; they missed the playoffs despite a 9-7 record in 2014.
Here are three keys to the game for both the Lions and Chargers:
LIONS
1. Establish an identity on defense
After five years of defense built around a wild force of nature in tackle Ndamukong Suh, the Lions must discover new bedrock in 2015. Detroit traded for five-time Pro Bowler Haloti Ngata, 31, this offseason; he is expected to replace Suh's impact to some degree. On the back end, linebacker DeAndre Levy and cornerback Darius Slay will have plenty of chances to change the game against a habitual passer in San Diego's Philip Rivers.
2. Get Megatron involved early
The Lions were not willing to expose their most valuable offensive weapon to the risk of injury this preseason, so All-Pro wide receiver Calvin Johnson was held out of all four games. With his 30th birthday approaching, Johnson is certainly the healthiest he's been in a while -- but he also might be kind of cold. Quarterback Matthew Stafford must warm Megatron up by targeting him early and often against the Chargers.
3. Split RB touches strategically
The Lions have an array of backs. The veteran leader, Joique Bell, 29, is expected to carry a starter's workload. After Bell, the Lions should try to unleash lightning-rod rookie Ameer Abdullah. This will be tricky because third-down specialist Theo Riddick is sure to see his share of the snaps, too. Sitting on the bench, the Lions will likely have the NFL's leading rusher of the preseason in Zach Zenner (187 yards, 5.2 yards/carry).
CHARGERS
1. Generate a pass-rush
Despite fielding a top statistical defense, the Chargers truly struggled to generate any reliable pressure. Stafford and Johnson will tear apart San Diego's secondary if that trend carries over into 2015. Defensive coordinator John Pagano is confident, though -- he likes what he's seen from outside linebackers Melvin Ingram and Jerry Attaochu in preseason action.
2. Find some other receiver in the red zone
Antonio Gates' four-game suspension starts now -- and so does the process of replacing his 12 touchdowns worth of production in 2014. Ladarius Green is nowhere near the red zone threat Gates is. Perhaps a receiver out of the backfield -- like returning Danny Woodhead -- can provide a Gates-like draw on linebackers and safeties when the Bolts are inside the 20.
3. Don't panic about Melvin Gordon
Melvin Gordon's preseason struggles might not end this week. Detroit's defense lost Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley this offseason, but it is still a force against the run under coordinator Teryl Austin. Gordon will figure the NFL game out eventually, but force-feeding him 20 carries this week shouldn't be a priority if the lanes aren't there.
