The Union-Tribune’s Nick Canepa grades the Chargers following Sunday’s 17-10 loss to the Chiefs:
Quarterbacks: A
Justin Herbert probably shouldn’t have started with his bad ankle and severely depleted offensive line, but he did, and he hit his first seven throws, one for a touchdown. Presnap penalties — not unexpected with the problems up front and noise from Chiefs fans — constantly had him in a hole. Nothing much after the first quarter, but he gets an A for a mighty effort.
Running backs: C
It didn’t figure running would be a thing with that O-line, and it wasn’t. J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards & Co. were running in a little room.
Receivers: D
There simply is not enough danger here, and not much separation from an inexperienced group. Ladd McConkey, improving by the minute, made a pretty catch for a TD at the end line. Tight end Will Dissly caught a big 22-yard screen early. Josh Palmer actually surfaced. Quentin Johnston finally had a catch at the end of the third quarter.
Offensive line: Incomplete
Presnap penalties? How many would — you like? A nightmare after the first quarter. Both — BOTH — starting offensive tackles (Rashawn Slater and super rookie Joe “Delete” Alt) were in the nurse’s office, which normally means … not good. Trey Pipkins started at right tackle, Jamaree Salyer at left tackle. Sam “Ah,Who?” Mustipher started at guard and chop-blocked right away.
Defensive line: C+
The D got tired. Teair Tart had a sack (he limped off in the fourth). But the guys in the middle — Poona Ford, Otito Ogbonnia and Tart — are stout.
Linebackers: B
Joey “Big I’m Hurt” Bosa was out. Again. Tuli Tuipulotu forced an early fumble and batted down a . Bud Dupree had an early sack. Troy Dye and Tarheeb Still split a sack. Dye later got juked out of his tighty whities by Patrick Mahomes. Khalil Mack had an important stop when the DBs had blown coverage, then a nice batdown.
Secondary: C+
Star safety Derwin James should not have been — but was — suspended for this game for tackling too hard. Replacement A.J. Finley immediately allowed a to Travis Kelce. Elijah Molden recovered the first fumble. Kristian Fulton picked Mahomes and then allowed a long TD, despite interfering. But he’s skilled.
Special teams: B
Cameron Dicker The Kicker’s 50-yard field goal put his side up 10-0, but he later missed a 55-yarder. Derius Davis, who simply can’t learn, had a fair catch at the 5. JK Scott is a really good punter.
Coaching: B
Teacher had no problem with Jim Harbaugh going for it with the game tied 10-10 in the fourth quarter and the ball at the goal line, but the play call stunk (after refusing a challenge that might have overturned a play). But it’s hard to find many flaws in his plan. He held the Chiefs to 17 points. He will have something going here.
Next opportunity — bye: A++
Bye the bye: never, in the history of byes, has one bye meant so much to so many.
