The Los Angeles Chargers’ growing pains have turned into a full-blown crisis.
asserted
pains → turn → crisis
Winless to start a season for the first time since 2017, the Chargers (0-4) are looking up from the bottom of the AFC West.
asserted
Chargers → start → West
There’s little relief in sight, with the upcoming schedule featuring a tough stretch against contenders Denver, Kansas City and Baltimore.
asserted
schedule → ’ → contenders
Salvaging the season by making the playoffs for a third consecutive season under coach Jim Harbaugh seems improbable unless the offense improves quickly under new coordinator Mike McDaniel.
Justin Herbert has struggled early on in McDaniel’s system, with six interceptions and 12 sacks in four games.
asserted
Herbert → salvage → games
Lack of protection for Herbert was an issue last season, too, when he was the second-most sacked QB in the league.
asserted
he → sack → league
The Chargers have precedent on their side.
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Chargers → have → side
They’re the only team in NFL history to make the playoffs after starting 0-4, doing so in 1992 when they played in San Diego.
asserted
they → ’re → Diego
In 2017, when they moved back to Los Angeles, they rallied from an 0-4 start to finish 9-7 but missed the playoffs.
asserted
they → move → playoffs
What’s working
The offense showed signs of life in the fourth quarter against Seattle.
asserted
offense → work → Seattle
Herbert rebounded from a forgettable first half to go 14 of 17 for 163 yards with a touchdown over the final two quarters against the Seahawks’ elite defense.
asserted
Herbert → rebound → defense
Trailing 30-13, Herbert engineered a comeback looking like his old self before McDaniel came aboard with his complex schemes.
asserted
McDaniel → trail → schemes
The rally came up short when Herbert got sacked and fumbled in the closing minutes, but if the offense can build on the way it played in crunch time, a first win could be within reach.
uncertain
win → come → reach
What needs help
The running game lacks a focal point.
asserted
game → need → point
Omarion Hampton, Keaton Mitchell and Kimani Vidal have played in a rotation the last two weeks.
asserted
Hampton → play → rotation
Hampton ran for 45 yards on nine carries with a touchdown against the Seahawks.
asserted
Hampton → run → Seahawks
The defense under new coordinator Chris O’Leary has improved after a shaky debut in Week 1 against Arizona.
asserted
defense → improve → Arizona
Khalil Mack had a sack for the third straight game, while Tuli Tuipulotu’s highlights included his first career interception, a pair of quarterback hits and six tackles.
asserted
highlights → have → hits
Injuries forced the offensive line to play four rookies in front of Herbert against Seattle.
asserted
Injuries → force → Seattle
Depending on the severity, the O-line could be shorthanded again against Denver.
uncertain
line → depend → Denver
LG Kayode Awosika was already out with a hamstring injury and C Tyler Biadasz was lost for the season after a knee injury in training camp.
asserted
Biadasz → lose → camp
Herbert credited the rookies for holding their own on short notice, but that’s not viable going forward.
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that → credit → notice
Key injuries
RT Joe Alt (neck) went out late in the first half against Seattle.
asserted
Alt → go → Seattle
WR Ladd McConkey (foot) left in the third quarter.
asserted
McConkey → leave → quarter
LG Trevor Penning (head) also went out.
asserted
Penning → go → ?
Key number
5 — The Chargers are one of five teams to start the season 0-4, and two of them — Houston and Miami — are upcoming opponents.
asserted
two → start → them
Up next
The Chargers host Denver in an AFC West showdown on Sunday in their only home game this month.
asserted
Chargers → host → game
The teams split their two meetings last season, with each winning at home.
asserted
each → split → home
The Aporia
