What started as a beautiful sunny day in Jacksonville Florida, and a potential for the Chargers cementing themselves in the playoff race, turned into an expedition of flaws. A win in Jacksonville would have netted us a 91% chance at making the playoffs. going into Sunday’s game we had an 81% chance of making the playoffs, now the Los Angeles Chargers are sitting at a 64% chance. Drastically changing the trajectory of this season where we have been decimated by offensive line injuries. With Joe Alt going in and out with ankle injuries, Rashawn Slater being out for the season, and not to mention off season acquisition Mekhi Becton being one of the biggest let downs of the season, it is beyond hope that the Chargers have even made it to a 7-4 record. Besides this Sunday’s performance QB Justin Herbert has been putting up MVP caliber numbers despite having the statistically worst offensive line in football.
Going into Sunday’s game, Herbert had the most QB rushing yards, 2nd most passing attempts, 4th most passing touchdowns and 1st most completions. Even with the plethora of injuries Justin Herbert showing fans what we already know that he can carry this team on his back when we really need him to. Unfortunately, with the remaining schedule and the Chargers being the most traveled team this season, the future looks like the storm could be getting worse. The team made a last-minute trade to acquire Trevor Penning from the Saints in order to give maybe not starting caliber help but some kind of bolster without breaking the bank. When Penning was being drafted, I was not a big fan of his tape or his on the field conduct but was praying for a ray of hope. Just like a sunny day or promise in Jacksonville, his gameplay showed he is worse than what we were already working with in Austin Deculus.
Chargers started the game with a disappointing first possession that carried the game the rest of the way. Only bright spot in the entire game honestly was an interception by Donte Jackson. Bradley Bozeman was embarrassing to the point that he tried to flop an injury that was so late timing wise that there are memes circling the internet in giant quantities. Herbert had an abysmal 10/18 for 81 yards and a QBR of only 17.4. Not all of this was on the offensive line, bad play by Herbert, a sorry run defense and pass rush, even special teams weren’t on point. Scoring only 6 points this is the lowest the Chargers have been all season. The Jacksonville Jaguars are not a Superbowl bound team by any means they just came prepared and the Chargers didn’t. As a writer and a diehard fan I try to find the bright spots but unfortunately with this loss they’re just not any.
Next week the Chargers go on a very well-deserved bye week. Jim Harbaugh saying the players would get the whole week off to rest and collect themselves before getting back to work. Coming back from the bye week the Chargers faceoff against division rivals, the Las Vegas Raiders. The first of three remaining divisional games. Theres’s hope this can get the Chargers another win and help them set the ship right going into a tough rest of the season that includes the Eagles, Cowboys, Chiefs, and Broncos.
With this bye week I’m hoping this is the calm before the storm. Chargers will be getting rookie RB Omarion Hampton and Joe Alt back at some point, ill bleed blue and yellow till I die so I’m hoping and praying they find a way.