New England Patriots: 5 defensive players to watch vs L.A. Chargers
Lawrence Guy
Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon will be playing through a knee injury on Sunday, but that doesn’t mean he won’t serve as a dangerous component for the New England Patriots defense.
The defensive line as a whole will be big in this game. Whoever is playing in the middle of the defense has to set the tone from the start. Along with both Malcom Brown and Danny Shelton, that guy is Lawrence Guy.
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While both of those players have been somewhat disappointments this season, Guy has been a steady performer along the Patriots defensive line. He is good against the run and does have the ability to apply some pressure.
Going up against a pocket quarterback like Philip Rivers, that pressure up the middle will be a big factor going up against the Chargers offense. By not allowing Rivers to step up in the pocket, the Patriots should be able to get to him on the outside.
As far as the running game goes, with the Patriots focused on setting the edge and forcing Gordon back inside, the middle of the line will have to hold their own in order not to get gashed up the middle. Lawrence Guy is a key to making sure that doesn’t happen.