The Chargers missed a huge opportunity to go over .500 on the season after a crushing primetime loss to Dallas. With multiple opportunities to take the lead or tie in the second half, LA’s offense faltered for various reasons.
Unfortunately, the schedule doesn’t get any easier for the Chargers. They head to Arrowhead Stadium next week to play the Chiefs. A loss would send them again to two games below .500 this season.
Before Kansas City, let’s reflect on some of the performances from Monday Night Football.
Stud: WR Keenan Allen
Keenan Allen was among the few bright spots in an otherwise disastrous Chargers’ offense performance. Allen had 85 yards and a touchdown on seven receptions. Had Justin Herbert not missed two deep shots where Allen got open, Allen might’ve had production that rivaled his 200+ yard performance against Minnesota.
An 87.8 PFF offensive score is Allen’s highest graded game since his 2020 performance against Jacksonville. After some doubts regarding his longevity after dealing with injuries last year, the resurgence has been real for the Chargers’ star wideout.
Allen will be leaned on heavily in the next 12 weeks without Mike Williams and some other offense issues. The Chargers will need more of this level from Allen to stay above water. Shout out to Slayer for continuing to turn back the clock in 2023.
Dud: QB Justin Herbert
Justin Herbert’s performance on Monday Night Football was his worst in a few seasons. It wasn’t all on him, to be fair. The offensive line had a whole slew of problems. Herbert was pressured 21 times.
The pressures and hits Herbert has taken in the last two weeks have caused him to become skittish in the pocket even when pressure isn’t there. As mentioned in the Allen stud section, the Chargers’ quarterback airmailed two wide-open deep shots to his star receiver. It’s rare for him to miss that badly.
In terms of diagnosing inaccurate passes and poor play, the broken finger on the non-throwing hand comes into this discussion.
After arguably having the best game of his career against Minnesota in Week 3, Herbert needs to be better in reacting to pressure to put the Chargers in positions to win games. He’s cost the team yards and points in the last two weeks.
Stud: EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu
Tuli Tuipulotu was PFF’s highest-graded Charger on the defensive side of the ball. He had five pressures and a run stop. Tuipulotu is now second on the team in pressures and fourth among all rookie defenders.
Considering the health of Joey Bosa and his inability to perform at his usual standard, the USC rookie’s performance has been necessary for this defensive line to play as well as it has. Last year, EDGE defenders opposite Khalil Mack had struggled to hold their own when Bosa was out. With Tuipulotu impacting a high volume of his defensive snaps, the Chargers have been saved by his continued development.
Dud: The offensive line
The Chargers could only get a little running game going. Austin Ekeler had just 27 yards on 14 carries in his return. Herbert was pressured 21 times. Both of these problems stem from the decline of the offensive line over recent weeks.
Will Clapp allowed three pressures as his pass-blocking efficiency dipped. The team misses Corey Linsley quite a bit in both communication and performance. Rashawn Slater has led the team in pressures allowed in each of the last two games. He’s been on the injury report with an ankle in recent weeks and it was once again heavily taped during Monday’s game.
An underwhelming interior and the injury-related decline of Slater are more than enough to cause the offensive line to plummet. In fairness, the opponents have been rough, with Micah Parsons and Maxx Crosby coming to town in the last two games. But the Chargers need to stabilize the offensive line in this next vital stretch of games to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Stud: WR Joshua Palmer
Joshua Palmer played through a groin injury and led the team in receiver snaps. He had four receptions for 60 yards and would come down with a score if not for a tremendous 4th down stop in the end zone by Daron Bland.
It’s evident that he’s earned Herbert’s trust over the years and that’s a massive step forward in a Chargers’ receiver room that is missing the aforementioned Williams. Until Quentin Johnston or other receivers step up with consistent production, Palmer will be just as important as Allen in putting together consistent drives downfield for the Chargers.
Dud: Derwin James
Derwin James has been a disappointment this season. In coverage, he hasn’t been as efficient as in previous seasons. There are also moments like Dak Prescott’s zone read touchdown that essentially happened because of a defensive miscommunication about where he was supposed to be.
All of that aside, the penalties are the big story with Derwin James. He gave the Cowboys a free 30 yards on two penalties in this game. He’s up to four on the season and is on pace to smash his single-season record of six.
The first roughing the passer penalty was very debatable. I don’t think it should’ve been called on James. However, James has to know by now that he will be penalized for leading with his helmet. It’s cost the Chargers a few times this season. The refs have been consistent in calling it as well. There’s no surprise when it happens at this point.
For James to save his season, he must be a more disciplined player. While his frustrations with a changing set of NFL rules are understandable, it’s on him as a team leader to not cost the Chargers in critical moments.