The Chargers’ 23-17 loss Sunday to the Denver Broncos wasn’t the kind of defeat that gets coaches fired and players traded or released. It wasn’t like their 63-21 loss on Dec. 14, 2023, to the Las Vegas Raiders, which led to the firing of Tom Telesco as general manager and Brandon Staley as coach the very next day.
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That loss in Las Vegas was the end of the line for Telesco and Staley. The Chargers aren’t at that point yet; after their loss Sunday to the Broncos, they dropped to 0-5. But it’s getting very close. The Chargers looked broken, injured and beaten down, especially late in the game.
Here’s more of what we learned, what we heard and what comes next as the need for dramatic changes draws nearer and the moves become more obvious in the wake of a game in which the Chargers somehow, some way managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory:
BLAME GAME?
Coach Jim Harbaugh accepted the blame for a failed 4th-and-1 quarterback sneak from the Chargers’ 41-yard line in the fourth quarter. It was, as he later said, the game’s turning point. The Chargers’ 17-10 lead soon became a 17-17 deadlock and, ultimately, a 23-17 loss.
Justin Herbert shared the blame, pointing out that he should have been able to pick up the yard the Chargers needed for a first down. But the play call from Mike McDaniel was predictable. The Broncos sensed what was coming, and they stuffed Herbert for no gain and took possession.
Herbert should not be absolved for the fumble that followed, leading to the tie-breaking field goal or for the interception that set up an insurance field goal. Herbert has been terrible to start the season, a victim of McDaniel’s play-calling, but also of his offensive line’s lackluster play.
Four rookie offensive linemen did what they could Sunday, with Pro Bowl tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater injured and guard Trevor Penning also sidelined. But it was not a winning formula. Herbert was sacked four times in the fourth quarter.
Through the season’s first five games, he has been sacked 17 times, second-most in the NFL behind Deshaun Watson of the Cleveland Browns (19 sacks). Herbert has been intercepted seven times and his passer rating of 70.2 is down from 91.2 after five games last season.
Herbert’s career record now stands at a middling 52-48 after 100 NFL games.
No question Herbert is a strong man, standing in the pocket and taking a beating game after game, but no one looks as broken as Herbert. The firing of McDaniel would be a bold move, but it wouldn’t solve the protection problem. The firing of Harbaugh might not do anything, either.
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Look at the Broncos. Coach Sean Payton took away the play-calling duties from offensive coordinator Davis Webb last week. How did it work out? Quarterback Bo Nix passed for only 123 yards and the Broncos rushed for 106 more. All but one of their scores were set up by turnovers.
“Just keep digging deep and moving forward,” Harbaugh said after the Chargers’ eighth consecutive defeat, dating to last season. “That’s what staying the course looks like. We’ve got to be right about the decisions, these important decisions. That’s as important as anything.”
When asked why the Chargers should stay the course when what they’ve been doing has resulted in an 0-5 record and with little apparent hope of getting out of their skid, Harbaugh said, “You keep working harder, keep working smarter. That’s just the truth. That’s the answer.”
TURNOVER WOES
The Chargers have started consecutive games with turnovers on Herbert’s first pass of the game. Tight end Charlie Kolar fumbled after a 9-yard gain on Herbert’s first pass Sunday. Seattle Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas picked off Herbert’s pass to start the game one week earlier.
Sunday, the Broncos drove 40 yards for a TD after Kolar’s fumble, taking a 7-0 lead. They drove 41 yards to score a TD after stopping the Chargers on 4th-and-1, tying it, 17-17. They drove 23 yards to kick the tie-breaking field goal after Herbert’s fumble and then 34 yards to kick a field goal to make it 23-17 after he was intercepted.
That’s too easy.
WHAT COMES NEXT
There will be calls for Harbaugh and/or McDaniel to be fired and for trades to be made as the Chargers prepare to face the Kansas City Chiefs next Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium. Fans and pundits alike will demand something be done to right the course before it’s too late.
Spoiler alert: it’s too late.
The battle for the No. 1 draft pick is underway.
The Chargers’ bye is Week 7. They return to action to face the Rams in a “road” game Nov. 1 at SoFi Stadium, followed by a home date with the Houston Texans on Nov. 8. The NFL’s trade deadline is Nov. 10, followed by a game Nov. 16 against the Ravens in Baltimore.
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