The Chargers come out of their bye week with a chance to steady themselves against the Rams, and the spotlight starts with Justin Herbert. He’s been stuck in a rough stretch, throwing at least one interception in every game so far and sometimes more. At this pace, he’d finish with more picks than he had in his second season, when he threw 15.
The numbers behind the slump are ugly. Pro Football Focus has Herbert last among 35 graded quarterbacks with a 42.1 passing grade, and even when he isn’t under pressure, his completion rate sits at 64.4%.
He’s actually thrown more interceptions when kept clean than when pressured. Whether the issue is Mike McDaniel’s scheme, Herbert’s offseason work on his footwork, or the pass rush getting to him, the Chargers are still waiting for a game without a turnover from their quarterback.
Week 8 is another shot.
If Herbert is going to get right, he may need help from a defense that has already kept this team afloat at times. The Chargers have given up a few explosive plays, including in Week 6, but they also made key stops, like the fourth-and-goal stop on Kenneth Walker III in the third quarter.
Cam Hart has two interceptions already, including one against the Chiefs, which is a career high. Back in Week 3 against the Bills, the defense kept the game tight by knocking the ball loose, pressuring Josh Allen and forcing turnovers.
That has been a big part of why the Chargers have stayed competitive.
The Rams present a tougher test than the version of them that won with Matthew Stafford last year, but Stafford has still been loose with the football. He already has seven interceptions this season after throwing nine all of last season, including one in the Wild Card matchup against Carolina. If the Chargers’ offense can only do a little, the defense may have to cover the rest.
Up front, the biggest concern is whether the Chargers can keep Herbert upright against Aaron Donald. The pass protection has been shaky all season, with Herbert getting sacked multiple times in every game and his regular-season completion percentage down to a career-low 59.4%.
PFF ranks the Chargers last in offensive line play. Cole Strange has struggled at right guard, while center Jake Slaughter has been solid enough.
The hope is that Joe Alt can provide some help, especially with Rashawn Slater on injured reserve. Alt looks set to play, and that could matter for a line that needs all the support it can get.
Donald hasn’t recorded a sack yet this season, but his reputation alone makes him a problem, and Byron Young adds another layer of danger. Young leads the Rams with 6.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks, so this matchup up front will not be gentle.
The run game has its own issues. Omarion Hampton leads the Chargers in rushing touchdowns, but he still hasn’t cracked 100 rushing yards in a game.
Herbert is second on the team in rushing yards. Kimani Vidal flashed with a 42-yard run against Denver that set up a runaway touchdown, but the Chargers have not had steady production on the ground since J.K.
Dobbins left.
There may be some room for improvement in the blocking there, with players like tight end Charlie Kolar on the line, but the Chargers need more than flashes. A workable run game would take some of the heat off Herbert and give this offense a little breathing room against a Rams front that will be ready to challenge every snap.
In Other News...
Ex-Chargers Defender Just Jumped Into The Jonathan Taylor Drama
The Jonathan Taylor situation keeps getting murkier, and the latest round of reporting has only added to the noise around Indianapolis. One account says the Colts are not actively shopping the running back, while another says multiple teams have already checked in and a move is more likely than not, leaving the impression of a franchise trying to manage a messy standoff without ever quite saying what it wants to do.
Former Chargers defender Breiden Fehoko jumped into the middle of it on social media, taking aim at Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon over the way the situation has been handled. For Chargers fans, it is another reminder of how quickly a leaguewide storyline can turn into a public relations problem, especially when a player of Taylor's caliber is involved and the messages coming out of the building do not seem to line up. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Could Be Pulled Into Bears Deadline Push
The Bears already made one major move up front, sending two first-round picks to Tennessee for defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons before Week 8, and now Chicago may not be done shopping along the defensive line. NFL Networks Ian Rapoport reported the Bears are still exploring additional options as the Nov. 10 trade deadline approaches, which naturally puts a familiar name back into the conversation for Chargers fans.
Khalil Macks potential fit in that push adds a layer of intrigue because of his history in Chicago and his status with Los Angeles, where he remains one of the most recognizable veterans on the roster. Whether the Bears actually keep pressing for another splash move is still unclear, but the deadline clock is ticking and the Chargers could find themselves monitoring a situation that has not gone away quietly. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Face A Defining Deadline Decision After This Weekend
The Chargers 0-6 start has already pushed the season into uncomfortable territory, and this weekends matchup with the Rams feels like more than just another game on the schedule. It has become a measuring stick for how long the front office can keep treating this as a salvageable year, especially with the roster still carrying veterans who could matter to other teams if the Chargers decide to shift direction.
Joe Hortiz has been hesitant to open the door on that kind of move so far, but another loss would make the conversation harder to avoid. If Los Angeles falls to 0-7, the deadline picture could change quickly, with the organization forced to weigh whether staying patient is still the right call or whether it is time to start thinking more about the future than the present. [Read more 🡒]