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Washington Football Team: 3 key matchups to watch vs Chargers

By Jerry Trotta

ASHBURN, VA - JUNE 10: Chase Young #99 of the Washington Football Team looks on with Shaka Toney #58, Daron Payne #94, Montez Sweat #90, and Jonathan Allen #93 during mandatory minicamp at Inova Sports Performance Center on June 10, 2021 in Ashburn, Virginia. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
ASHBURN, VA - JUNE 10: Chase Young #99 of the Washington Football Team looks on with Shaka Toney #58, Daron Payne #94, Montez Sweat #90, and Jonathan Allen #93 during mandatory minicamp at Inova Sports Performance Center on June 10, 2021 in Ashburn, Virginia. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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Chargers DE Joey Bosa (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images) /

For the first time since they were eliminated from the playoffs in January, the Washington Football Team will take to the gridiron for a meaningful game when they play host to the Los Angeles Chargers at FedEx Field on Sunday.

Most oddsmakers have this matchup as a pick ’em, and understandably so. Chase Young and Washington’s vaunted defense going up against Justin Herbert and the Chargers’ loaded offense? Putting their records from last season aside, very few football fans would be complaining if this game was nationally televised.

Unfortunately, it isn’t, though something tells us that’s how Ron Rivera would prefer it this early into the season.

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In any event, let’s prepare for this mouthwatering matchup by highlighting a couple in-game encounters that will be crucial in terms of determining the final score.

Washington Football Team: 3 matchups to watch vs Chargers

3. Sam Cosmi vs Joey Bosa

The Football Team has high hopes for Sam Cosmi, whom they drafted in the second round (No. 51 overall) this past April.

Cosmi overcame a difficult start to training camp — who wouldn’t struggle against Washington’s defensive front? — and performed well in the preseason.

However, the Texas product won’t receive the warmest of welcomes to the NFL against the Chargers on Sunday, as he’ll line up against one of the most formidable pass rushers in the league in Joey Bosa.

Bosa has struggled with injuries in two of the last three seasons, but he’s the definition of a game-breaker, racking up 47 sacks, 109 QB hits, 68 tackles for loss and five forced fumbles since he was drafted No. 3 overall back in 2016.

In other words, the Chargers star lives in opponent’s backfields, and it’ll mostly be up to Cosmi to neutralize him. We’d be surprised if Washington isolated the rookie against Bosa, but they won’t be able to send help on every snap.

Whatever happens, the so-called “winner” of this matchup should play a role in determining the outcome of the game. After all, Bosa is the only member of the Chargers front seven who strikes any sort of fear in us.

If Cosmi is able to limit his impact, Washington’s offense should find success.

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