Besides healing injuries on off week, keep an eye on how Chargers mend their offense

When it comes to Justin Herbert, Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh always is slapping the star quarterback on the back. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

There won’t be a redo, but for the injured Chargers, an early off week is at least a restart.

Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh called the team’s Week 5 bye “like starting the season over” after dropping to 2-2 with a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. A team that was without four starters in its last game because of injuries was in need of the break. More difficult tasks await in the next 13 weeks.

Three big questions for the rest of the season:

How much will the offense evolve?

The Chargers’ J.K. Dobbins had a great start to the season but the running back has been slowed during consecutive losses. (Rusty Jones / Associated Press)

Offensive coordinator Greg Roman has said he envisions a balanced offense in which the rushing attack sets up potent passing options for star quarterback Justin Herbert. Fighting against key injuries, Roman’s vision has yet to materialize.

The Chargers are averaging just 17 points per game. Entering Week 5, they ranked second to last in the NFL with 136.5 passing yards per game and 28th in total offense. The running game that thrived during two wins produced just 116 yards on 44 attempts in its losses.

With both losses coming in close games, however, the most glaring deficiency is the offense’s ineffectiveness in key situations.

The Chargers converted seven of 24 third-down tries in their last two games and have not scored a second-half touchdown since the season opener. They were tied 10-10 entering the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Chiefs and lost both games after going scoreless.

Read more: Hernández: Heard this before? Injuries are keeping Justin Herbert, Chargers from flourishing

“We haven’t been our best in the fourth quarter when our best was needed,” Harbaugh said.

Injuries to the team’s three most important players contributed to the offensive downturn….

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/besides-healing-injuries-off-week-100036194.html

Author : LA Times

Publish date : 2024-10-07 10:00:36

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