Patriots Gridiron News: Why James White could have special game vs Chargers

The Los Angeles Chargers are coming to town and that means the New England Patriots offense will have a big challenge going up against a tough defense.

When the New England Patriots host the Los Angeles Chargers in the AFC Divisional Round game at Gillette Stadium Sunday afternoon, the play of both Tom Brady and Phillip Rivers will be in the spotlight.  Also, in the spotlight will be both team’s running backs.

While the Patriots’ defense will have the tall task of limiting running back Melvin Gordon, the Chargers will also have a challenge.  That challenge will be covering Patriots running backs in the passing game, which means a lot of James White.

As the team’s most consistent and reliable offensive playmaker during the first half of the season, White will play a big role in the team’s short passing game.  Not only will Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels draw up creative screen passes to keep the Chargers heavy pass rush off balance, James White will play a critical role in blocking.

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Appearing on WEEI’s Dale & Keefe on Monday, White talked about the upcoming opponent and how important it will be for the team to block against a very hungry defense.

"“That’s always important,” White said, as transcribed by WEEI.  “We have a good offensive line, they have a good defensive line.  It’ll be a great matchup.  For us as running backs, we got to do our part as well, giving Tom [Brady] enough time to read out the coverage and find an open guy.  It’ll be an extremely big challenge to have [Joey] Bosa, [Melvin] Ingram; they got some rookie in there making plays too.”"

While the Chargers didn’t use their linebackers much during the team’s victory over the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC wild card game, that could change this Sunday to help limit Tom Brady.  This is where James White, Sony Michel and Rex Burkhead could have a special game.

Exploiting a weakness

If there is a weakness for the Chargers’ defense, it is covering running backs out of the backfield.  You better believe Tom Brady and McDaniels will look to exploit that.  The Chargers were near the bottom of the league in 2018 in passing yards given up to running backs.

They gave up 107 receptions on 133 targets for 973 yards and four touchdowns.  Much of that could be due to their rushing attack and opposing quarterbacks having to get the ball out quicker.  In any event, that is exactly what the Patriots like to do, especially with James White on the field.

Now, given White’s production, the Chargers may play more defensive backs like they did against the Ravens.  Except this time, it wouldn’t necessary be to stop the New England Patriots rushing attack, but to stop the short screens and quick passes to James White and Rex Burkhead.

Still, it could and should be a special game for White who finished the season with 87 receptions for 751 yards and seven touchdowns.  Although his production slowed towards the end of the season, he has developed a tendency of stepping up in big playoff games.

This Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers should be another one of those big playoff performances.  It may just be a special one for James White.