Chargers review: Who’s to blame for their defense’s latest meltdown?
Justin Herbert and the Chargers’ offense did their part during Sunday's loss to Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions, but their defense went haywire in a 41-38 defeat.
Justin Herbert and the Chargers’ offense did their part during a 41-38 loss Sunday to the Detroit Lions, scoring touchdowns on five straight possessions to end the game. Here’s what we learned, what we heard and what comes next after their defense went haywire:
WHO IS TO BLAME?
Coach Brandon Staley blamed himself for the Chargers’ loss to the Lions, not the first time he’s accepted responsibility for a defeat this season. But was he correct in shouldering a heavy burden, for deflecting the blame for a defense that was caught out of position again and again and again?
Yes.
Consider that three of the Chargers’ four victories have come against novice quarterbacks – Aidan O’Connell of the Las Vegas Raiders, Tyson Bagent of the Chicago Bears and Zach Wilson of the New York Jets. Those three were filling in for their team’s starting quarterback, a more established veteran.
The Chargers’ other victory was against Kirk Cousins, who had the Minnesota Vikings in a position to win the game after an ill-advised decision by Staley to go for it on fourth down deep in his own territory. Cousins then threw an interception at the goal line that was tipped into the hands of Kenneth Murray Jr.
Lucky?
Yes.
The Chargers’ five losses have come against quarterbacks Tua Tagvailoa of the Miami Dolphins, Ryan Tannehill of the Tennessee Titans, Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys, Patrick Mahomes of the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs and, on Sunday at SoFi Stadium, Jared Goff of the Lions.
Notice a pattern?
Of course you do.
The Chargers’ defeats have been close, with the noteworthy exception of their 31-17 loss Oct. 22 to the Chiefs. They lost to the Dolphins by two points, the Titans by three in overtime, the Cowboys by three and the Lions by three on a 41-yard field goal by Riley Patterson as time expired.
But the Chargers have yet to defeat a standout quarterback and his offense, continuing a theme that extends beyond this season, stretching to Staley’s first season, in 2021. Simply put, opposing offenses, when led by elite quarterbacks, have outperformed the Chargers’ defense on almost every occasion.
When questioned Sunday, Staley defended his defense.
“I appreciate your line of questioning,” Staley said to Daniel Popper of The Athletic, “but I know the players that we have on this team, I know the group that I’ve been coaching for nine games, and it is good enough to beat anybody we play. We’ve played the very best teams in the NFL and we’ve been in every single football game — the very best teams in the end of the NFL, and have been down to the wire.
“We’re still a work-in-progress, but we have the right men in that group, offense, defense and special teams. We’re good enough on offense, defense and special teams to beat anybody we play. We’re going to go back to work. We’re going to stay together. We have our season in front of us.
“We have to get on to Green Bay.”
The Chargers (4-5) play the Packers (3-6) on Sunday at Lambeau Field.
Green Bay’s quarterback? Jordan Love, a veteran of only 19 games in the NFL.
INJURY/ILLNESS UPDATES
Outside linebacker Chris Rumph II injured his right foot during the pregame warmup and couldn’t play against Detroit. He left the locker room after the game with his foot in a protective boot and with the aid of crutches. It wasn’t immediately clear what happened or how long he might be out.
Murray, a linebacker, injured his shoulder and tight end Gerald Everett hurt his back during the game. Each was said to be questionable to return to the game, but only Murray did. Wide receiver Keenan Allen suffered a shoulder injury in the third quarter, but he returned to the game in the fourth.
Cornerback Michael Davis was ill in the days leading up to the game. He tried to play Sunday, but was limited to six snaps of the defensive total of 66 before making way for backup Deane Leonard. Only safeties Alohi Gilman and Derwin James Jr. and cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. played all 66 snaps.
WHAT COMES NEXT
The Chargers, third in the AFC West, need a victory Sunday over the Packers, third in the NFC North, to return to .500. They also need to win six of their final eight games in order to match their 10-7 record of last season, when they advanced to the playoffs for the first time since the 2018 season.