Chargers’ strong offensive performance spoiled by disastrous defense

The Chargers’ 41-38 loss to the Lions was heartbreaking for two reasons: Detroit is a quality team and the game came down to the final play. It is the 100th one-score game for the Bolts in the last decade. In other words, Los Angeles is notorious for losing close games, as everyone knows.

So what was the problem this time? 

The Chargers’ defense gave up over 500 yards on Sunday, while on the other side of the football, quarterback Justin Herbert and company finished the game with 421 offensive yards. It was the best stretch of play from Herbert this season. He dominated, finishing with 323 yards and four touchdowns.

Los Angeles scored touchdowns on five straight drives to close out the game.

“Every time we got down in the red zone, we scored,” Brandon Staley said. “It was a good enough offensive performance for us to win today and Justin was at the front of it … just didn’t do enough on defense today.”

The Lions gashed the Chargers on the ground, as they rushed for 200 yards and three touchdowns on 31 carries. It wasn’t any better against the pass. Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown had a field day, catching eight of nine targets for 156 yards and a touchdown.

“I didn’t do a good enough job on defense for us today,” Staley said. “That was the story, run and pass.

Some are already calling the matchup the best game of the season, but Chargers fans want wins, not entertainment. 

“They had a good game plan today,” Derwin James said. “They had screens, they had play-action, they had everything. But we got to better on defense, I mean 38 points is enough to win any game and we weren’t good enough today.”

The Chargers can compete with quality teams, but they must complete their performance to be a championship team.