Indianapolis @ Los Angeles preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 25, 2016 ) Los Angeles 22, Indianapolis 26

Andrew Luck's stunning retirement left the Indianapolis Colts in a scramble while the host Los Angeles Chargers will be without holdout running back Melvin Gordon when the teams open the season Sunday. Jacoby Brissett has replaced Luck as Indianapolis' starting quarterback while Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson will fill Gordon's shoes as the main ball carriers.

Luck made his surprise decision Aug. 25 and Brissett has the backing of coach Frank Reich - "he's our answer," Reich said - and general manager Chris Ballard. "Jacoby Brissett is a winning football player in this league, and he is a rare, rare, leader," Ballard told reporters. "He is a rare human being, man. That locker room loves Jacoby Brissett." The Chargers are still under the control of Philip Rivers and the quarterback entering his 16th season is bullish that Ekeler and Jackson will make up for the absence of Gordon, who is seeking a contract extension. "I don't think there's any unknown there. We've seen them in action and we know what they can do," Rivers told reporters. "We can see the tape and go off how many days of work we put in together to know they are capable of moving the ball."

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Chargers -6.5. O/U: 44.5

ABOUT THE COLTS (2018: 10-6, SECOND IN AFC SOUTH): Brissett started 15 games for Indianapolis in 2017 when Luck was sidelined and passed for 3,098 yards and 13 touchdowns against seven interceptions. The defense is expected to receive a big boost from the addition of pass rusher Justin Houston, who had 22 sacks in 2014 and 78.5 overall in eight seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. Houston has 7.5 career sacks against the Chargers but isn't worrying about his stats, telling reporters: "That's something you look at when you're done playing. I'm focusing on how can I help this team get a win."

ABOUT THE CHARGERS (2018: 12-4, TIED FOR FIRST IN AFC WEST): Rivers has put together six straight 4,000-yard seasons and 10 overall and he is 26 touchdown passes away from becoming the sixth player in NFL history to reach 400. Ekeler (554 rushing, 404 receiving) will get first call in place of Gordon but Jackson (206 rushing) will get plenty of work as Los Angeles looks to develop a competent one-two punch. Defensively, the Chargers will be without standout safety Derwin James (foot) for at least a large part of the campaign while relying on star defensive end Joey Bosa (28.5 sacks in 35 career contests) to lead the unit.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Colts beat the Chargers 26-22 in 2016 to end a three-game skid in the series.

2. The status of Indianapolis RB Jordan Wilkins (ankle) will be firmed up later in the week.

3. Los Angeles signed four-time Pro Bowl C Mike Pouncey to an extension through the 2020 season.

PREDICTION: Chargers 27, Colts 24