Chargers Performance in Week 1 Yields a 'Passable' Grade
As the new NFL season got going on Sunday, it was a chance for the Los Angeles Chargers to make an early season statement. They were hosting another playoff team from last season in what was seen as a matchup with potential playoff implications down the line.
The Bolts came in confident that they had ridden themselves of the issues that plagued them last season. But once the clock hit zeros, they were left with a similar feeling of disappointment.
LA dropped the game to the Miami Dolphins, and similar problems were apparent throughout the game. While their offense was good, they did make some mistakes, and the defense couldn’t slow down the Dolphins at all. However, even with all the issues, they had a chance to win the game, making it an even tougher pill to swallow.
Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports provided a letter grade for each NFL team, and the Bolts received a passable B grade despite the loss.
“They could've easily won this game, and Austin Ekeler deserves an "A" for his efforts alone. Joshua Kelley was also efficient for L.A.'s surprisingly dynamic rushing attack. But the red flags were perhaps even more jarring than those of Miami: Herbert committed a critical intentional-grounding penalty with the game on the line”
The Chargers needed to play a full game to take down Miami. But they beat themselves, which has seemed to be a common theme in years past. And once again, the decisions of head coach Brandon Staley are being called into question.
“The in-game coaching from Brandon Staley remained suspect, and it's debatable at this point if Staley even intends to field a productive defense. The secondary was torched over and over. We just can't fail them for going blow for blow in an offensive showcase.”
The defensive issues of the Bolts are a real cause for concern. They will need to shore things up on that end of the team if they want to have any success this season.
LA had some positives to take away from this game, but they are left with a feeling of frustration from what they could have done here.
