The Sports Xchange

San Diego Chargers (2-3) at Green Bay Packers (5-0)

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisc. – TV: CBS

*TV announcers: Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, Tracy Wolfson

*Keys to the game: The Chargers are desperate for a breakout game from rookie RB Melvin Gordon, who has flashed at times but has yet to score. San Diego’s beat-up offensive line was put on skates by Pittsburgh on Monday night and won’t enter this game in much better shape. San Diego needs to move the ball against the 28th-ranked run defense to keep QB Philip Rivers out of the long passing situations that are nearly impossible to convert with such little protection.

Green Bay is known for its offensive fireworks at home, but look for the Packers to attack a run defense allowing 132.4 yards per game and try to steadily wear San Diego’s defense down. The Chargers don’t generate consistent pressure, so QB Aaron Rodgers should be able to slide around the pocket buying time for receivers to come open. In what feels like a plug-and-play receiving corps, rookie Ty Montgomery has made an impact at Jordy Nelson’s position and could be a matchup issue for the Chargers.

*Matchup to watch – Chargers CB Brandon Flowers vs. Packers WR James Jones: Even when healthy, Flowers has appeared a step slow this season and he was really picked on by the Steelers. Meanwhile, Jones was picked up off the scrap heap when he returned to Green Bay and has gone on to lead the team with five touchdown catches in as many games.

*Player spotlight – Chargers RB Danny Woodhead: The diminutive weapon has been as valuable to Rivers’ health as any of San Diego’s linemen. He is averaging 4.2 yards per carry, but his real impact has been as a sparkplug outlet receiver with 21 catches for 269 yards.

*Fast facts: Rivers has had three interceptions returned for touchdowns this season. … Chargers coach Mike McCoy spent his 1995 rookie season on the Packers’ practice squad as a quarterback. … Rodgers has thrown 50 TDs, 2 INTs and has a 123.2 passer rating in his past 20 home games, including playoffs. Both picks came last week against St. Louis.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

The Packers are hard enough to beat at Lambeau, much less entering the game potentially down at least three offensive linemen. QB Philip Rivers is left to lead the offense while constantly under heavy pressure, and sooner or later that catches up when trying to match Aaron Rodgers punch for punch.

*Our pick: Packers 33-24.