Highlighting the Chargers players who shined and struggled in the loss to the Broncos.
The Chargers lost to the Broncos by the score of 28-13.
Despite the outcome, here is a look at some of the few who helped and those who struggled.
Stars
S Derwin James: Unlike last weekend, only one person is worthy of falling under this category. James continued to live up to his label as a do-it-all defender. Lined up as a blitzer, James got home and drilled Teddy Bridgewater, which knocked him out of the game. It was seen as a strip-sack but ended up being ruled an incomplete pass. He made plays in the run game and coverage throughout the game, including an eye-popping interception on Drew Lock, which led to the Chargers’ first touchdown.
Studs
EDGE Joey Bosa: Bosa will likely only be remembered for being stiff-armed by Bridgewater on Denver’s final touchdown of the game. However, he still managed to bring a presence up front. Bosa strip-sacked Lock following James’ hit on Bridgewater, but the ball bounced ahead to the first-down marker, which Tim Patrick picked up. Furthermore, he recorded four pressures while posting three run stops.
WR Keenan Allen: The Chargers’ passing attack struggled to find efficiency and consistency, but it was the route-running technician who seemed to be always open nearly. Allen caught seven of his ten targets for 85 yards, including three of which went for first downs.
Duds
G Senio Kelemete: After ruling out Matt Feiler with an ankle injury, the Chargers decided to roll with Kelemete over rookie Brenden Jaimes. Of the ten hits and three sacks that Herbert took, Kelemete was the primary culprit. He allowed five pressures and a sack, which came on third-and-6 in the third quarter, leading to Dustin Hopkins’ lone missed field goal. In addition, Kelemete was penalized twice.
CB Tevaughn Campbell: Campbell’s struggles as the starting outside corner opposite Michael Davis continued. Not only did he allow some big gains in coverage, but Campbell also had a poor performance against ball carriers. He was in the position to make a play on Bridgewater’s rushing touchdown but let up. Fast forward to near the end of the game, Campbell could not bring Javonte Williams down in the open field, which then led to a 42-yard pickup.
QB Justin Herbert: After one of the most productive performances of the season, Herbert followed it up with a head-scratching outing. Some of the blame fell on the poor pass protection and dropped passes. Still, Herbert had opportunities yet struggled with his reads post-snap and flat-out made questionable decisions and throws, like when he underthrew a ball to Jared Cook in the end zone early in the fourth quarter that was intercepted, or the failed fourth-down attempt in the second quarter when he had Austin Ekeler open but forced it to Keenan Allen.
Interior defensive line: I will have to watch the All-22 tape to determine which individual(s) are to take the majority of the blame, but one thing is sure, and that’s the run defense took a step back. Jerry Tillery and Christian Covington returned as starters while Breiden Fehoko and Joe Gaziano were rotated in. Nonetheless, the Chargers gave up 147 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 33 carries (4.5 yards per carry).
