Game Preview, Week 5: Washington at Los Angeles Chargers
October 4, 2025
by Steve Thomas
Washington got dominated by the Falcons last week, being both outplayed and outcoached. In many respects, particularly on defense, they looked old and slow. Things won’t get better in week 5, as Washington must travel to the west coast to face the high-flying Los Angeles Chargers, who are no doubt mad and a little embarrassed about losing to the previously winless New York Giants. Throw in a bunch of injuries for Washington, which admittedly are going to get a little bit better this week, hopefully, and this doesn’t seem like a recipe for success. You never know, though; this team has surprised us all on multiple occasions during the Dan Quinn / Jayden Daniels era. Will this game result in a win for the away team? Honestly, probably not, but that’s why they play and why we watch. Our game preview is below.
Game time & location: Sunday, October 5, 2025, 4:25 p.m. ET, SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA; Gates open 2:25 p.m. ET; parking lots open 12:25 p.m.
Television: FOX
Television announcers: Kevin Burkhardt, Tom Brady, Erin Andrews, Tom Rinaldi
TV broadcast map: Click here
DC-area radio: BIG-100 (WBIG FM)
Washington radio network: Click here
Chargers radio network: Click here
Satellite radio: SiriusXM: 381 (Wash. broad.); SiriusXM internet: 831
Washington roster: Click here
Washington depth chart: Click here
Chargers roster: Click here
Chargers depth chart: Click here
All-time head-to-head record vs Chargers: 7 – 5 (last 5: 1 – 4)
Last meeting: L, September 12, 2021, 16 – 20
Chargers record: 3 – 1 (1st place) / NFC: 0 – 1 / Home: 2 – 0
Washington record: 2 – 2 (2nd place) / AFC: 1 – 0 / Away: 0 – 2
Early odds: Chargers, -3
3 KEYS TO THE GAME
Quality performance from the secondary
The Chargers happened to have an elite quarterback in Justin Herbert and one of the most accomplished receivers in the league in Keenan Allen. Last week, Drake London and company had their way with Washington’s secondary, to a certain extent. The performance of this group wll be even more important this week against the Chargers, who (a) are a better passing team than the Falcons, and (b) are more reliant on their passing attack because their running game isn’t quite as effective as that of the Falcons. How well the corners – meaning, Marshon Lattimore and Trey Amos – deal with Herbert, Allen, Ladd McConkey, and Quentin Johnston is probably the most important key to this game.
Consistent run game
Washington’s running back group has at times broken some long runs and looked good at times. What they haven’t done, though, is consistently control drives throughout long stretches of games. This is even more important against the Chargers, who – despite what the Giants did to them last week – have an elite offense that Washington needs to keep off the field. They can do this by creating a solid, sustainable rushing attack featuring their two starters, Chris Rodriguez and Jacory Croskey-Merritt.
Sustained long drives
As I just said, the key this week is to limit the opportunities for the Chargers’ offense, and that means eating up as more clock as possible. Think running game – lots of it – and short, consistent screen passes. Look for that against the Chargers, and keep an eye out on how well Washington controls the clock throughout the game.
3 KEY MATCHUPS
Marshon Lattimore vs. Keenan Allen
This matchup has the potential to be a massive problem for Washington. Allen is one of the top receivers in the NFL, and while Lattimore was supposed to be at that level for Washington’s defense, he simply hasn’t been close. A major key to this game is whether Allen can go crazy and put up huge numbers while matched up against Lattimore. If recent history is a guide, I suspect that this probably won’t go well for Washington.
Jayden Daniels vs Derwin James
Yes, this one is a bit off the beaten path, but Daniels is returning to the field for the first time in three weeks, and James is one of the league’s better safeties. In my view, how well Daniels can keep track of, and account for, James, will be a big factor in Washington’s passing game. James has the potential, at least, of doing bad things to Washington unless Daniels, as the quarterback, can account for him.
This one is the battle of the highly touted interior linemen. Payne has at times looked like his old self this season, making a big impact in certain games. Becton is a fairly well known player with a good reputation, so I suspect that the broadcast crew will highlight this matchup at times. Keep an eye out on how well Payne is doing attacking the interior against Becton.
OFFICIAL INJURY REPORT (active roster only)
LP – limited practice FP – full practice DNP – did not practice
NIR – not injury related Q – questionable O – out
D – doubtful
| Washington | Chargers |
| WR N. ; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O | T J. Alt, ankle; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O |
| G S. Cosmi, knee; Wed: FP; Thurs: FP; Fri: DNP; game: O | WR D. Davos. knee; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O |
| WR T. McLaurin, quad; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O | G M. Becton, concussion; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: FP; game: Q |
| DT D. Payne, knee/NIR (rest); Wed: NL; Thurs: LP; Fri: DNP | TE W. Dissly, knee; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: FP; game: Q |
| DE D. Armstrong, illness; Wed: DNP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP | TE T. Fisk, toe; Wed: NL; Thurs: LP; Fri: FP; game: Q |
| TE J. Bates, calf/groin; Wed: DNP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP | WR K. Allen, NIR (rest); Wed: DNP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP |
| LB N. Bellore, quad; Wed: DNP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP | W D. James, glute; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: FP |
| S P. Butler, hip; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: FP | C A. James, neck; Wed: FP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP |
| QB J. Daniels, knee: Wed: FP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP | CB T. Still, ankle: Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: FP |
| LB A. Kaho, concussion; Wed: DNP; Thurs: LP; Fri: FP | |
| CB M. Sainristill, knee; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: FP | |
| WR D. Samuel, heel; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP’ Fri: FP | |
| TE C. Yankoff, ankle; Wed: NL; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP |
Steve’s Prediction
Sorry, but Washington loses this game 30 – 20.
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