The Chargers still haven’t found their first win, and Jim Harbaugh isn’t pointing the finger at his new offensive coordinator. After a 24-16 loss to the Bills, Harbaugh said he still trusts Mike McDaniel and wants his team focused on cleaning up the mistakes that have cost them early.
“No, we trust Mike. We believe in Mike,” Harbaugh said, via Austin Knobloch of Yahoo Sports.
“ We’re searching for every possible way to give ourselves an advantage. Every possible way to not beat ourselves.”
Harbaugh also said Justin Herbert has to sharpen his decision-making.
“To be better,” Harbaugh said. “That drives Justin, that drives me, that drives his position coach, that drives Mike [McDaniel]. … I mean, drives us all.”
In Denver, OLB Jahfari Harvey said Monday was the day he got the call to join the practice squad, and he’s already settling into the grind.
“It feels great to get that call. I was ready to put in some work… I’ve just been working on the scout team right now. Getting acclimated and getting ready and learning the playbook.”
Meanwhile, Raiders QB Kirk Cousins opened up about the early stages of building timing with TE Brock Bowers. He said the chemistry is still coming along, and pointed back to his Minnesota days with Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen as the kind of connection that takes time.
“ Yeah, I mean, certainly we’re still building that (chemistry), ” Cousins said, via Raiders Wire. “ I don’t think that it’s something that I feel like I did with Justin Jefferson or Adam Thielen after playing with them for three or four years, you really knew what their game was.
I think we’re still developing, but I remember throwing a back shoulder to Justin in Houston in his maybe second career game, second career start, and late in the game, threw him a back shoulder and he adjusted. And I thought, ‘Well, I don’t know that we have chemistry, but sometimes when you play with really good players it looks like you have chemistry.’
Because they’re just that much better at adjusting to a throw and making the play. So, some of that’s probably true too.
But every play you’re in there together, you learn more, and I think it helps you then be more efficient moving forward.”
In Other News...
Broncos Niners Preview Turned Into An Unexpected Live TV Moment
Sundays FOX NFL Sunday pregame show had its usual Broncos-49ers preview rhythm until Terry Bradshaw briefly turned the set into a cleanup scene. While talking through the matchup, Bradshaw accidentally knocked over a cup of coffee, creating a live-TV moment that viewers saw unfold in real time.
Curt Menefee moved in to handle the spill, and Bradshaw kept right on with the analysis without missing a beat. It was a reminder that even on a polished studio show, the most memorable moments can come from the kind of unscripted mishap no one sees coming. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos Catch A Timely Edge Against Banged Up 49ers
The Broncos head into Week 4 with something every team wants this time of year: a cleaner bill of health than the opponent across the field. Marvin Mims Jr. and Jaylen Waddle were full participants all week, giving Denver a healthier look as it prepares to face a San Francisco defense that is already dealing with several key injuries and a long list of players on injured reserve.
Nick Bosa and James Thompson Jr. are among the 49ers who have been out or questionable, which leaves Denver in position to try to press an edge before the game even kicks off. The Broncos are also set to elevate practice squad defender Johnny Walker to help cover for injured Dondrea Tillman, a small but telling roster move that underscores how much both sides are managing before this matchup. [Read more 🡒]
Courtland Sutton Is Closing In On A Broncos Milestone With Extra Meaning
Courtland Sutton is within one catch of another place in Broncos history, and this one carries a little extra juice because of who is on the other sideline. Sutton enters the matchup with the San Francisco 49ers at 461 receptions, just one shy of tying Ed McCaffrey for fifth in franchise history at 462, a mark that would add another line to a quietly impressive Denver rsum.
The wrinkle, of course, is that the 49ers are led by Christian McCaffrey, Ed McCaffreys son, which gives the milestone a family link Denver fans will notice right away. Sutton is not the only Bronco nearing a franchise benchmark either, as a few other players are also creeping toward team milestones, but this one stands out because it blends history, timing and a little bit of crossover intrigue. [Read more 🡒]