The Chargers are heading into Week 3 in a very different spot than they were just a few days ago.
After the loss to the Raiders in Week 2, Los Angeles saw its number against the Bills swing hard. The Chargers opened as a 7-point road underdog, a sharp jump from where the line sat before the Raiders game, when it was +2.5.
It’s the first time this season the Chargers have been listed as underdogs, and now they’re walking into their first road game of the year with a big hole to climb out of. That’s not an easy assignment against a Bills team that has come out flying.
Through two games, the Chargers haven’t looked settled in any phase. The offense has struggled to function, and the same has been true for the defense and special teams. Across the eight quarters they’ve played, they’ve looked flat and out of sync for most of it.
That’s a rough place to be with Buffalo waiting. The Bills have been one of the most explosive teams in the league over the opening stretch, averaging 38.5 points per game and piling up 77 points in 60 minutes of action. Their defense has had issues, though, giving up 31 points per game.
There is at least a path for the Chargers’ offense to get moving. Buffalo’s defense ranks 27th in total defense, giving Los Angeles a chance to find some rhythm after a sluggish start.
Still, the bigger picture is hard to ignore. This is the 14th time the Chargers have opened a season 0-2, and they’ve reached the playoffs only twice in those years. The last time it happened was in 2023, when they finished 5-12 and moved on from Brandon Staley.
In Other News...
Chargers Get A Needed Break As Week 3 Offensive Questions Grow
The Chargers got a little bit of relief this week as their offense continues to sort itself out heading into Week 3. Tight end Charlie Kolar will not go on injured reserve after surgery, which at least keeps the door open for his return later in the season, even though he will miss the upcoming game. It is the kind of update that does not solve anything immediately, but it does matter for a team trying to keep its pass-catching depth intact while the bigger questions around the offense linger.
Jim Harbaugh also confirmed that the Chargers are bringing wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling up to the active roster from the practice squad, giving them another veteran option to work with right away. For a group looking for answers and a little more stability, the move adds some insulation in the short term, even if the larger issue is still how quickly this offense can find its footing. [Read more 🡒]
Chargers Defense Is Already Making A Veteran's Role A Flashpoint
The Chargers rough start has put every part of the roster under a microscope, and the defense is no exception. After two losses to open the 2026 season, frustration around the building and among fans has only grown, with the coaching staff already drawing fresh scrutiny. Within that tension, the cornerback rotation has become one of the clearest signs that no role is guaranteed anymore.
Chris OLearys decision to bench Donte Jackson in Week 2 underscored how quickly things can shift for a veteran who was a strong part of last seasons defense. Jacksons snaps have already been trimmed as the Chargers try to sort out their rotation, and OLeary has made the standard plain: playing time goes to the best performers. For a team still searching for its footing, that makes Jacksons place in the mix one of the more interesting questions on the defense right now. [Read more 🡒]
Justin Herbert Pushes Back As Chargers Leadership Debate Heats Up
Justin Herbert took questions at his midweek press conference ahead of Week 3 with the Chargers already trying to steady a rough start. After two home losses to open the 2026 season, the conversation around the team has shifted quickly from results to accountability, and Herbert made it clear he does not buy the idea that he has been quiet when it comes to leadership.
Herbert said the focus has to be on moving forward and cleaning up the mistakes that have piled up early. With a demanding schedule still ahead, the Chargers do not have much room for drift, and the scrutiny around their quarterbacks voice is only going to grow if the losing continues. [Read more 🡒]