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Just when Brandon Staley and the Los Angeles Chargers thought issues couldn’t worsen with accidents, alongside got here the loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday night time when the line of defense turned the newest group to be decimated.
Otito Ogbonnia harm a knee and Christian Covington suffered a pectoral harm throughout the 22-16 loss that dropped the Chargers to 5-4.
Los Angeles was right down to solely three defensive linemen throughout the fourth quarter because the Niners scored the go-ahead landing on Christian McCaffrey’s 2-yard run with 7:54 remaining.
Los Angeles has had issue stopping the run this season, even at near full power. With high run-stopper Austin Johnson misplaced for the yr with a knee harm final week and the discharge of 2019 first-round decide Jerry Tillery, the Chargers went into the sport already skinny on the line of defense.
Add within the two accidents that occurred throughout the sport, and San Francisco was capable of dominate the road of scrimmage.
Two of the three Niners’ scoring drives within the second half had been at the very least 12 performs they usually had the ball for 21:38. San Francisco had 106 of its 157 dashing yards after halftime.
The Chargers’ offense — down their high two receivers and a proper sort out — didn’t assist with solely three first downs and 62 yards on 5 second-half drives.
Justin Herbert handed for 196 yards, the fourth-lowest complete of his three-year profession.
“In the second half, we had to play a lot of plays,” Staley mentioned. “There were a couple of third downs in there that were tough, that we missed a tackle, were tight in coverage, and they made a couple of good throws and catches.”
Los Angeles enters Sunday’s sport towards Kansas City permitting 5.39 yards per carry, one of many highest within the league.
With Staley and normal supervisor Tom Telesco prone to make strikes to shore up the line of defense, the remainder of the locker room and coaches won’t use accidents as an excuse. They almost bristle at being requested if coming shut on the street ought to depend as an ethical victory.
“If you’re on the field, you’re getting paid to play. You have to step up and make your plays,” working again Austin Ekeler mentioned. “We got some of our guys that are down, but that doesn’t matter. The opponent doesn’t care. We have to play hard, but we also have to make plays. We can’t just do the minimum.”
WHAT’S WORKING
The kicking sport. Cameron Dicker — the crew’s third kicker this season after accidents to Dustin Hopkins and Taylor Bertolet — was 3 for 3 on subject objectives and has made all 5 the previous two video games. The Chargers have made 16 straight subject objectives and 17 of 18 on the season.
WHAT NEEDS HELP
Getting off the sector on third down. The Chargers had been the worst within the league when stopping groups on third down final season. After doing a strong job the primary six video games, opponents are 19 of 37 on third down the previous three video games, which is the fifth-highest conversion charge. San Francisco was 9 of 17, together with 3 of 4 on third downs of seven yards or extra.
STOCK UP
DeAndre Carter has 9 receptions for 117 yards previously two video games. Carter beat 49ers security Talanoa Hufanga on a nook route for a 32-yard landing throughout Sunday’s opening drive.
STOCK DOWN
The proper aspect of the offensive line. Right guard Zion Johnson and proper sort out Foster Sarell allowed a mixed two sacks, two quarterback hits, and eight QB pressures. Sarell received the beginning instead of the injured Trey Pipkins.
INJURIES
TE Gerald Everett (groin) is prone to be questionable after being injured within the first half. … Staley stays hopeful WR Mike Williams (ankle) can return to the follow subject.
KEY NUMBERS
24 — Dropped passes by Chargers receivers, in response to Sportradar, which is among the many league leaders. They had three towards San Francisco, together with one by tight finish Tre McKitty throughout the second quarter that may have gone for a 35-yard landing and prolonged the Bolts’ result in 17-3.
NEXT STEPS
If the Chargers have any hopes of getting again into the AFC West division race, they should defeat Kansas City this week. The Chargers haven’t received at house towards the Chiefs since 2013 and have dropped the previous two in additional time.
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL
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