The Los Angeles football team has experienced a rollercoaster of emotions throughout the first four weeks of the season. After a promising start, they’ve fallen back into familiar patterns that have plagued them in previous years. Despite a dominant defense and a new offensive play style, the team’s issues with absent stars, questionable coaching decisions, and fourth-quarter collapses have resurfaced.
After a tough 17-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, the team sits at 2-2 heading into their bye week, a familiar spot from last season. However, this year’s team is different, according to outside linebacker Khalil Mack. “You can’t really focus on last year,” Mack said. “Today, it seemed like it was a little tougher for them, but all in all, there were a lot of positives.”
The team was without several key players, including safety Derwin James, outside linebacker Joey Bosa, and tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater. Quarterback Justin Herbert played with a high ankle sprain behind a makeshift offensive line against one of the league’s top defenses. Despite these challenges, the team jumped out to a 10-0 lead and had opportunities to win.
However, the Chargers faltered in crucial moments, a trend that has haunted them in recent years. Cornerback Kristian Fulton, who signed with the team in the offseason, pointed to the need for improvement in finishing games. “From what I’ve heard, it’s always been a thing, just finishing in the fourth,” Fulton said. “So I feel like we all just got to be better on our end – offense, special teams – to find a way to win these games.”
Notable missed opportunities included a pass to wide receiver Joshua Palmer on third and 5 in the fourth quarter, which was spotted short of the first down line despite no defenders impeding him. Later, Herbert fired a ball to running back J.K. Dobbins, who dropped it while running free down the sideline.
Coach Jim Harbaugh acknowledged his own mistakes, including not challenging a call on the Palmer play. “I wish I would’ve challenged that one,” Harbaugh said. “I think I could be better there.”
Despite the setbacks, the team remains optimistic, emphasizing the need to stay patient and focused. “We have to stay patient, understand that we got the right guys out there,” Herbert said. “We didn’t execute. [It] didn’t go our way today, and that’s not going to stop us going forward next week, two weeks, whenever it is.”
Leave a Reply