Predicting 5 games in which Trey Lance struggles most in 2022
By Peter Panacy
While there are plenty of reasons to be excited about 49ers quarterback Trey Lance, it wouldn’t be shocking if he has a tough go at it in these five games.
In an ideal world, San Francisco 49ers second-year quarterback Trey Lance rockets through his first year as a starter in 2022 and is other-worldly dominant, perhaps going as far to secure NFL MVP honors and setting records beyond the wildest of expectations.
We’ve been bullish on Lance almost all offseason, and there are plenty of reasons to be excited.
However, Lance is going to go through plenty of bumps and bruises along the way, and those lofty hopes mentioned above aren’t likely to come true. They may even be heavily far off what actually happens.
Looking ahead to the Niners’ string of opponents on their 2022 NFL schedule, it’s not hard to see why the former No. 3 overall draft pick will be in for some challenges.
Focusing largely on San Francisco’s newly minted starter, let’s predict the five games in which he’ll likely struggle the most this season.
No. 5: Trey Lance could struggle vs. Chargers defense in Week 10
The 49ers have the unfortunate pleasure of playing the powerhouse AFC West this season, and the Los Angeles Chargers did plenty to ensure their own defensive woes from a year ago don’t carry over into 2022.
Already boasting a formidable pass-rusher in EDGE Joey Bosa, grabbing former Chicago Bears EDGE Khalil Mack only serves to give LA a solid one-two punch that could put Lance under plenty of duress behind a suspect Niners offensive line.
Tack on the addition of the turnover-generating machine this offseason, cornerback J.C. Jackson, and one might figure the Bolts could create all kinds of defensive headaches for a relatively inexperienced Lance, even if he’s had eight games under his belt by this point.
If there’s some saving grace, this Week 10 matchup will fall after San Francisco’s bye week, meaning Lance and Co. hopefully have had enough time to prepare for this formidable contest.