Why are the Chargers like this? Specific Occasions

The Los Angeles Chargers exist on a cycle. A cycle of fixed hope, pleasure, then a disappointing trek all the way down to actuality, despair, then apathy. Take this yr for instance. The crew added an thrilling new offensive coordinator in Kellen Moore, lastly bought defensive stalwarts Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack totally wholesome, and eventually appeared to have sufficient to say themselves on the high of the AFC.

By two weeks, the sobering journey to actuality is already beginning. The Chargers are 0-2 and coming off an time beyond regulation loss to a Tennessee Titans crew that seemed offensively moribund. Los Angeles has additionally discovered methods to lose regardless of having what seemingly is without doubt one of the best offenses in the whole league to this point:

Much more embarrassing is the truth that of all of the groups to lose within the methods the Chargers have to start the season, none of them have been pretty much as good on paper as this crew has been. It’s not solely dropping at this level, however the Chargers are a meme in itself, and when given a chance to defeat the meme, Chargering turns into stronger and stronger:

Nonetheless, the persistence is carrying skinny, particularly on the high of the chain. Moore was introduced in to vary the offense and make it extra environment friendly, and that has been true. The offense appears to be like completely different and thru two video games, and for the higher from time to time. By two weeks they’ve been extra environment friendly on the bottom and never every little thing has been so constrained, not like the offense below Joe Lombardi. Nonetheless, this crew goes off a cliff within the fourth quarter, inexplicably. In Sunday’s loss, the Titans have been capable of management the road of scrimmage, making it extraordinarily troublesome for them to generate any simple offense. Herbert additionally wasn’t one of the best in that quarter, with the offense changing into one-dimensional and so vertical that it created inefficiencies the Titans took benefit of:

Nonetheless, we’ve bought to speak in regards to the protection. The facet of the ball that head coach Brandon Staley is an professional on. As a result of by means of two video games, they’ve been extraordinarily poor in each the run recreation and the passing recreation. In Week 1, the Dolphins threw for 466 yards in a 36-34 victory over the Chargers, however that may be excused as a result of the Dolphins appear like one of the best offense within the NFL proper now. In opposition to Tennessee, although, they seemed misplaced once more within the passing recreation, permitting a number of massive performs within the secondary regardless of sacking Ryan Tannehill 5 occasions. The Chargers allowed two passing performs of over 50 yards downfield, permitting the Titans to be explosive in methods they simply weren’t projected to be this season.

Ultimately, somebody has to pay the invoice for all of the inventory being thrown within the Chargers yr over yr. Final yr it was OC Joe Lombardi, however the best way issues are trying now, the protection and fourth quarter meltdowns appear to be the issues, and that comes again to 1 man: head coach Brandon Staley. Staley designed this protection to restrict explosive performs passing, however by means of two video games this yr, the Chargers protection has completed every little thing however that. It’s an issue once you’re continually placing your QB within the place to need to play hero ball as a result of a protection (one which has a number of excessive draft picks and large cash guys on it by the best way) is struggling to defend the cross. It’s a fools’ recreation to say the Chargers are completed after two video games within the season, however it’s not trying fairly on the facet of the ball Staley stated he was going to repair. The crew has expertise sure, however they’re skinny and nonetheless vulnerable to main protection busts, which fits again to teaching. The fourth quarter blown leads and poor play comes again to poor preparation and failure to regulate, and that lies on the person carrying the headset.

Once more, it’s very early within the season, and the Chargers may find yourself advantageous. Nonetheless, Brandon Staley must determine it out with this protection, or the Chargers will transfer on from him faster than a bolt of lightning.