The Los Angeles Chargers initially appeared ready to compete fiercely with the Kansas City Chiefs right up to halftime. However, a scoreless second half sealed their fate, leaving the team in a vulnerable position after seven weeks.
Justin Herbert, who threw two second-half interceptions in the 31-17 defeat, isn’t fretting about the uphill climb ahead, however.
“Despite the outcomes of the recent games not being in our favor, we are not going to panic, quit, or give up,” Herbert stated to the press following the loss. “I am confident that we will approach this week’s practice with the same vigor as we did in the past weeks. I am ready for the challenge, the opportunity. It’s been a difficult week, but it will only serve to make us stronger.”
The Chargers’ second-half meltdown on offense was especially eye-opening considering the unit was the only reason they were in the mix entering halftime. Herbert completed 10 of 14 passes for 159 yards and a touchdown to help L.A. stay afloat as its defense was walloped by the Patrick Mahomes-led Chiefs to the tune of 24 points and 333 total yards.
In the second half, the roles were reversed with the Chargers defense forcing an opening-half turnover and three consecutive punts. Meanwhile, Herbert managed 7-of-16 passes for 100 yards and a passer rating of 25.0.
“It’s indeed frustrating,” acknowledged Brandon Staley, the Chargers head coach, referring to the inconsistent performance. “I can’t explain why the season has started like this, but it’s the reality. The responsibility is solely mine. We have a talented football team. It’s crucial that we regroup and refocus. Despite suffering two consecutive tough losses, I believe in our team’s potential. We need to simplify our approach, continue doing the small things right as we have a great group of players. We are a strong team and it’s time to get back to work.”
Herbert’s struggles persisted in the face of consistent pressure from Chiefs pass rushers (five sacks, eight QB hits) and an ineffective rushing attack which rendered the Chargers predictable by game’s end. His final throw — a misfire intercepted by Bryan Cook to seal the two-score loss — was a brutal reminder of the late-game struggles that are becoming a trend for Herbert and Co. in 2023.
Herbert acknowledges the mistakes made during critical moments and seeks a comprehensive effort in future endeavors.
“Herbert said, “We need to play consistently throughout all four quarters, or however long the game lasts until there’s no time left on the clock. Our offense needs to maintain momentum. We must keep making successful plays, and overall, we need to improve.”
The Chargers (2-4) go into Week 8 with a Sunday night date with the Chicago Bears (2-5) but face a gauntlet that includes the Jets, Lions and Ravens in the coming weeks. Sunday’s result also allowed the Chiefs (6-1) to take a commanding lead in the AFC West.
The Chargers have suffered late-season disappointments in back-to-back seasons, and their late-season problems are increasingly apparent. History is also not on the side of Staley’s team. Based on NFL research, the Chargers have managed to reach the playoffs only once in 22 instances when they have had a poor start to the season with a 2-4 record or worse, as was the case in 1992.
