Brandon StaleyWesley Hitt/Getty Images
Week 2 Result: Lost at Tennessee 27-24 (OT)
Twice this season, the Los Angeles Chargers have been in position to win a game late. And twice this season, they’ve been unable to seal the deal.
After falling in overtime in Nashville on Sunday, the Bolts now sit at 0-2.
An 0-2 start isn’t always a kiss of death for NFL teams. Three teams lost their first two games and went on to win the Super Bowl that season, according to Bryan DeArdo of CBS Sports.
Given how they’re playing defensively, it’s a stretch to call the Chargers a Super Bowl contender. Instead, their rocky start has put head coach Brandon Staley on the hot seat.
“The Titans scored 27 points in this game, the first time Tennessee’s gone over 20 points since Week 14 last year and the first time they’ve scored 27 points or more since Week 11, the only time the Titans did so all 2022 season,” Will Brinson of CBS Sports wrote. “Against the Saints last week, the Titans barely mustered 15 points and looked horrendous on offense.
“Why does this matter? Because Brandon Staley is a defensive coach and the Chargers consistently fail to play good defense. The Dolphins’ passing success from last week is well documented and today’s performance might be worse given how bad the Titans looked in Week 1.”
Next week, the Chargers face a similarly desperate 0-2 Vikings team. Both clubs made the playoffs last season. Neither can play defense right now.
Whichever team loses that game can likely kiss their playoff hopes goodbye.
“At this point, the Chargers no longer deserve the benefit of the doubt,” Sobleski wrote. “They have one of the game’s best young quarterbacks in Justin Herbert, and the roster is littered with talent, yet this squad just finds ways to lose.
“Staley’s defense has been particularly poor. In fact, the unit currently ranks dead last in total defense. Struggling to slow the Miami Dolphins offense is one thing. Not finding a way to stop the Titans late in the fourth quarter and overtime is something entirely different.
“Until proven otherwise, the 0-2 Chargers should find themselves among the league’s worst teams.”
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