In their first chance to put aside last week's debacle against the Cardinals, the Chargers moved quickly into Raiders territory, but the drive fizzled when tight end Oronde Gadsden II gave his best defensive-back impression, diving to bat down a pass intended for Brenen Thompson. In a chance to take advantage of the Raiders' own slow start, two possessions later, Justin Herbert found David Njoku open deep. Some offensive momentum finally seemed possible for the Chargers ... until Njoku bobbled the ball right into the arms of Jermod McCoy.
The offensive blunders kept coming: Trailing by three late in the third quarter, an offensive snap hit Tre Harris in motion, and what should have been an easy third-down conversion became a punt. Herbert slammed the turf twice in frustration. And, finally, in a chance to prove that, despite all the mistakes, despite all the ugliness, despite, well, everything, the Chargers could get to 1-1 and stop the bleeding for at least one week, Omarion Hampton fumbled in Raiders territory.
Three plays later, the Raiders were back in the end zone. Final: 26-14, Raiders — one week after 26-14, Cardinals. Two of the teams expected to be among the NFL's worst blasted their way past one expected to challenge the best.
"That's not up to our standard," Herbert said. Unfortunately, though, this is the current standard of the Chargers. Their five turnovers are tied for second-most in the NFL, only behind the essentially quarterback-less Falcons.
Their seven fumbles are the most in the NFL; they had six on Sunday alone. Their 13 offensive penalties are second-most. Herbert and Mike McDaniel were supposed to make sweet music, but through two games, the most appropriate music, on offense, would be "Yakety Sax." It has been a circus, and not the good kind.
Jim Harbaugh credited his team's "fight" and said they weren't "deterred." But what is going to get things going in the right direction? Last week, Harbaugh wished he had played his starters more in the preseason, but the preseason is long gone. Unfortunately, Harbaugh would love for his team to look ready for the preseason.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
