Five teams entered Week 5 with an 0-4 record, no two more surprising than the Texans and the Chargers. Both playoff staples of the past few years, they were trying to take the first step in joining the 1992 Chargers as the only teams to start 0-4 and make the postseason. The Texans thumped the inept Titans 26-3.
The Chargers fell 23-17 to the Broncos in an eyesore of a game. Neither Bo Nix nor Justin Herbert reached 125 yards passing. The Broncos' 224 yards of offense were the second-fewest in a win this season.
The difference was turnovers. The Broncos forced three -- awful fumbles by Herbert and Charlie Kolar and a terrible pick by Herbert -- and turned that into 13 points. A fourth "turnover," a turnover on downs early in the fourth quarter, set the stage for the collapse.
The Chargers had actually scored two touchdowns in the third quarter to take a 17-10 lead. Their possessions after that? Three and out, turnover on downs, fumble, interception, end of game.
The Chargers lead the NFL with 13 turnovers this season, and they've come in all shapes and sizes. It might have been over for a while, but this absolutely drives the point home in more ways than one. Not only is it over in terms of competitive football, but, with the trade deadline less than a month away, it's over in terms of what the next big goals should be for this organization.
The Chargers started four rookies on the offensive line, three of whom were drafted in the fourth round or later. Herbert took five sacks, including one, fittingly, on the final play, setting up for a Hail Mary. BRONCOS DEFENSE CALLS GAME ‼️ pic.twitter.com/uHv9ChQAmx Los Angeles was also without its top two wide receivers, Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston.
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