Tag: Chargers vs. Patriots recap

What they’re saying following Chargers’ loss to Patriots

Are the Chargers being viewed as contenders or pretenders?

The Bolts now sit at 4-3 after losing 24-27 to New England on Sunday. Head coach Brandon Staley and his squad had two weeks to prepare for the matchup with the Patriots, yet despite the extra time, quarterback Justin Herbert and his offense were silenced.

Has the Chargers’ reputation gone from playoff contenders to playoff pretenders? The narrative was quite different just a few weeks ago following the Bolts’ blowout loss to the Ravens. One bad game isn’t a season-ending sort of event; however, two bad games and a pattern starts to transpire.

Let’s see what experts are saying about the Chargers after their most recent loss to the Patriots.

NBC Sports NFL Analyst Chris Simms

“Listen, I’m not ready to say LA is going to go to the playoffs yet. I’m not ready to say that. They’re going to be on the fringe. When you can’t stop the run to the capacity they can’t, they’re going to have issues against like 90% of the NFL.”

Around the NFL’s Dan Hanzus

“We’ve seen the ceiling of the Chargers’ offense this season, and it’s quite high. What surprises us is how low the floor is. The Bolts’ attack was held in neutral for the second consecutive week on Sunday, a 27-24 loss to the Patriots that raises questions about where Los Angeles truly fits into the AFC pecking order. Justin Herbert threw for just 143 yards before a garbage-time scoring drive in the final minutes, and issues with pass protection and early-down efficiency were glaring. The Chargers’ defense had its way with Patriots rookie Mac Jones and repeatedly gave the offense the opportunity to take control of the game, but Herbert and Co. couldn’t do it.”

Former NFL player Damien Woody on Sidd News

“Mike Williams wasn’t a factor in this game. Keenan Allen was held pretty much in check. Other guys weren’t able to step up. Like Tim said, they made Justin Herbert uncomfortable in the pocket. New England comes out with the victory.”

Stephen A. Smith

“If you talk to me about the Chargers meeting the Patriots in a head-to-head matchup because of Bill Bellichick’s greatness, I got you. I’m saying they’re not facing one another again until the postseason and I think the Chargers will end up getting there before the Patriots.”

Everything we know about Chargers’ 27-24 loss to Patriots

Highlighting everything notable from the Los Angeles Chargers’ loss to the New England Patriots.

The Chargers fell to the Patriots by the score of 27-24.

To recap Week 8, here is everything we know:

It was over when…

Nick Folk connected from 30 yards with a little over two minutes remaining.

Notable numbers

The Chargers were 4-of-12 on third-down situations.

The Patriots won the time of possession battle, 35:24 to 24:36.

Quarterback Justin Herbert was picked off twice.

Herbert was sacked three times.

The Chargers allowed a punt return average of 20 yards.

The Chargers’ first down yards per play average was only 4.94 yards.

Stars of the game

RB Justin Jackson: 3 carries for 79 yards, long of 75

RB Austin Ekeler: 124 yards from scrimmage, touchdown

S Derwin James: 12 tackles, tackle for loss, forced fumble

WR Josh Palmer: First NFL receiving touchdown

Quick takes

Bill Belichick knows how to get the better of Justin Herbert. In two games, Herbert averaged just 216 yards, had a completion percentage of 50, threw for two touchdowns, four interceptions, and was sacked six times.

Aside from the Patriots’ solid defensive game plan, a handful of Herbert’s throws were off the mark and his decision-making was questionable. However, the offense’s lack of execution also included…

Offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi’s play-calling on early downs continued to hinder the unit. As opposed to letting Herbert throw the ball, designed run plays were called far often than not.

Lombardi’s decisions put Herbert in many unfavorable positions, and it did not help that the team’s skill players struggled with dropped passes in crucial situations throughout the duration of the game.

Last season, the Patriots defense got to Justin Herbert with primarily twists/stunts. This time around it was blitzes on the right side of the line, which continues to be exploited.

Justin Jackson is the clear-cut RB2. Larry Rountree turned four carries into just 11 yards.

The run defense looked (slightly) better today with the presence of Justin Jones. Even though they allowed a total of 141 yards, the group allowed an average of only 3.6 yards per carry. Still an evident issue nonetheless.

Mac Jones was held to just 218 yards passing, but he mustered big plays that went for 44 yards and 33 yards. Jones also took advantage of the favorable field positions, which were attributed to…

The punt coverage unit, which allowed returner Gunner Olszewski to average 20 yards per punt, continues to be an issue.

Recapping the newest additions performances:

Andre Roberts: Returned three kicks for an average of 23.7 yards and a long of 29 yards.

Dustin Hopkins: Made all three extra points and his lone field goal attempt from 48 yards out.

The Chargers still have some work to do in terms of discipline. Too many costly penalties, including a Michael Davis hold on third down that turned into a touchdown.

Kind of fitting that the former Chargers had big plays. Adrian Phillips picked off Herbert twice and Hunter Henry recovered the onside kick at the end to seal the deal.

What’s next?

The Chargers are on the road to take on the Eagles next Sunday, Nov. 7 at 2:05 pm PT.

Instant analysis of the Chargers’ shutout loss to the Patriots

The Los Angeles Chargers were embarrassed by the New England Patriots on Sunday.

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The Chargers were shut out by the Patriots, 45-0.

Here is my instant analysis from Los Angeles’ loss to New England in Week 13:

Injury Report

Safety Rayshawn Jenkins went down early on in the contest, but he returned to the action shortly after. Running back Joshua Kelley suffered an ankle injury.

Play of the Game: Kenneth Murray’s first career sack

Murray, who led the team in tackles (14), was one of the very few players who showed life through all four quarters. Along the way, the rookie picked up his first professional sack in the second quarter.

Notable Number

With the 45-0 loss to the Patriots, the Chargers suffered their biggest blowout in franchise history.

Quick Takes

Coach Bill Belichick has had a lot of success against rookie quarterbacks in his tenure. It was no different today, as the Patriots defense limited Justin Herbert to only 209 passing yards and two interceptions. New England did a great job of pressuring him and taking away his targets all afternoon long.

When Herbert did have time to throw the football, he was off the mark on a lot of his passes, primarily overthrowing his targets.

The Chargers didn’t have many opportunities to run the ball today, only rushing 15 times for 70 yards. Running backs Austin Ekeler and Kalen Ballage split the carries, 8 and 7, respectively.

Cornerback Stephon Gilmore got the best of wide receiver Keenan Allen, limiting him to only five catches for 48 yards on 11 targets. WR Mike Williams and tight end Hunter Henry were non-factors, as well.

The run defense has been concerning as of late. It was no different today, especially without linebacker Denzel Perryman, as the unit allowed 165 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. There was very little push upfront and defenders looked uninspired to tackle.

While the Patriots only threw the ball 22 times, the pass rush was nearly nonexistent. Linebacker Kenneth Murray was the player who had the team’s lone sack.

Special teams were as bad as it gets. They allowed two touchdowns and had a couple of bone-headed penalties.

All in all, the Chargers were flat out embarrassed and did not look like they were ready to play today. Coach Anthony Lynn might be loved as a person, but he is not proven as a coach anymore.

Up Next

The Chargers play host to the Falcons next Sunday, Dec. 13 at 1:25 p.m. PT. The game will be televised on CBS.