Chargers dig an early hole with 0-3 start

Sep 26, 2017 - 7:21 AM COSTA MESA, Calif. -- Sometimes teams can fudge the numbers. Sometimes players can fiddle with the calculus. Sometimes a calculation that appears so clear-cut is actually deceptive.

Then there's the Los Angeles Chargers and their 0-3 record.

The Bolts have earned it and the reaction that comes with it: "Oh-no!"

Sure, the Chargers are already peeking at the Philadelphia Eagles before they visit Sunday. They're the next team in at the cozy StubHub Center as the season marches on.

But those close to the team realize the ditch it is digging would rival the nearby La Brea Tar Pits. The Chargers are stuck in the muck.

Since the NFL went to 12 playoff qualifiers in 1990, three teams have made the postseason after losing three out of the gate.

There are few indications the Chargers will be the fourth team after three losses, including two at home.

The offense is sputtering. The defense hasn't had a turnover in two straight games. And watching special teams isn't for the faint of heart.

Then there were the three first-Half picks by Philip Rivers that all but gift-wrapped the win for the Chiefs.

"Philip will be the first to tell you he did not have a good day," head coach Anthony Lynn said Monday.

Lynn also said in Monday's team meeting that the receivers have to win those 50-50 balls more often. And if not, then become a defender.

Believing in the last-place Chargers, already with two home losses, takes some gumption.

Luckily, Lynn has that in abundance.

"I believe it is going to turn around," Lynn said. "I really do."

--Tight end Hunter Henry continues to disappear in an offense in which he had eight touchdown receptions last year. He was thought to be a big part of the mix, but once again he was seldom in Philip Rivers' sights. Hunter had zero receptions and targets. Head coach Anthony Lynn said, "I've got to get him involved."

--The secondary suffered a blow before the first snap when it was revealed that cornerback Jason Verrett would be lost for the year. Verrett, a Pro Bowler and former first-round pick, tried to come back this season from last year's knee surgery. He never looked right in camp and was ultimately shut down again as he faces another procedure. Verrett and Casey Hayward, behind the pass rush of Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa, was going to be one of the team's strengths.

With Verrett out for the season, there were reports the Chargers were among those gauging the interest of free-agent Darrelle Revis in returning to the NFL.



REPORT CARD VS. CHIEFS

--PASSING OFFENSE: F -- Philip Rivers' unit seldom takes this grade; can't remember the last time? But he was awful on Sunday with three interceptions in the first half. Those miscues were turned into 17 points by the Chiefs and that was the game. The protection was pretty good -- Justin Houston got a huge sack in the final drive -- and the receivers seemed to be on their marks -- Antonio Gates did have a drop and Dontrelle Inman and Rivers exchanged puzzled looks. Instead, it was Rivers forcing balls into coverages and making decisions he quickly regretted. Again, tight end Hunter Henry wasn't involved. Strange.

--RUSHING OFFENSE: B-PLUS -- The running game looked good, real good, when compared with what was happening in the air. Melvin Gordon was showing patience, picking holes and finding the edge on a quick K.C. defense. But that was when he gained 55 yards in the first quarter. In the second half, Gordon battled a bum knee and wasn't nearly as effective. The run-blocking was good, especially considering a new body at right tackle with Joe Barksdale being out.

--PASS DEFENSE: B -- Giving up two scoring passes doesn't help here, but the men were put on short fields time and again by Rivers' carelessness. One of the touchdown passes was a shovel pass, which lands more at the feet of the linemen. The pass rush was on point as Melvin Ingram led the charge with three of the team's five sacks. That was impressive.

--RUSH DEFENSE: C -- Maybe a tad high with the grade, but 69 yards came when the defense was selling out at the end and once Kareem Hunt hit the second line he was gone. Hunt, though, was shifty and deserves all 172 yards he got on the ground. Brandon Mebane flashed more in the middle. Jatavis Brown led everyone with 10 tackles. Korey Toomer and Jahleel Addae delivered some physical hits that left a mark.

--SPECIAL TEAMS: D -- The kick is up and good and too bad for Younghoe Koo it came in his first field-goal attempt on Sunday instead of his last one against the Miami Dolphins in the previous game. Coverages are still a work-in-progress. Travis Benjamin looks more speedy returning punts and he's primed to break one. Directional punting wasn't keen and the unit was flagged for roughing the kicker.

--COACHING: F -- Lynn is showing to be more Mike McCoy than Don Coryell with each passing game for the first-year head coach. Punting from your own 35 when trailing by seven? Please. He and Rivers also seem to bump heads, with Rivers going to bat for the offense. But Lynn is going to have to ditch the conservative route if he's expecting to win a game for the fans in a new city. While the Chiefs were showing an exciting, quick-hitting brand of ball on one side, the Chargers looked dated.