Nick Canepa’s report card
Quarterbacks A
Whatever crowd that might have been in The Rental would’ve gone wild. Starter Tyrod Taylor suffered a pregame chest injury, making way for rookie Justin Herbert, who passed for more than 300 yards and ran well vs. a Super Bowl defense. He scored with his feet to end his first series and with a second-quarter pass. A few rookie mistakes, but he was good. He’s poised. He has a feel. A presence. Makes every throw. It seems Tyrod has Wally Pipped. Herbert has to be the guy.
Running backs A
Austin Ekeler used right away out of the backfield, as was Josh Kelley (they threw once to backs last week). Ekeler (93 yards) ran like a fast plow mule, as did freshman Kelley (64).
Receivers B
Keenan Allen was All-pro brilliant. Jalen Guyton caught Herbert’s first TD pass, a 14yarder. Few tight ends can catch with Hunter Henry. Mike Williams played hooky.
Offensive line A
Makeshift. Again. But a wonderful effort. Right tackle Bryan Bulaga, who has an injury rap sheet, quickly went to nurse’s office (knee), replaced by Trey Pipkins, who isn’t as good, but serviceable.
Defensive line A
All pressured Patrick Mahomes, so much so they forced him to scramble, often effectively — until they lost some petrol. Jerry Tillery, playing infinitely better, also blocked a PAT (and had a huge offside). Linval Joseph a terrific addition in the midsection. Joey Bosa was everywhere but El Segundo — and drove into the City of Offside more than once. Melvin Ingram batted down a big pass. And came right back with a bad offside.
Linebackers B
No one around on crucial Mahomes scramble near the end. Rook No. 1 Kenneth Murray made plays all over Inglewood (10 tackles). Kyzir White continues to play well (8 solos).
Secondary B
Rayshawn Jenkins somehow forgot Travis Kelce is good, then Rayshawn went down early in the third. Michael Davis needs to meet with a tackling dummy. Overall, a fine job vs. a great offense.
Special teams B
Didn’t trust Michael Badgley enough to try a 51-yarder? If not, find someone who can make it. When allowed, he did make an important-at-the-time FG, then one near the end to put them ahead.
Coaching B+
Win, it’s A-plus. The reduction is for the loss. Lynn, with a reborn spine, twice went for it fourthand-short (one successful), but he weakened. He should have gone on fourth-and-1 in OT, knowing his D had to be gassed, and anyone breathing knew K.C. would score something. But overall, one of the great game plans from any coaching group in many years.
Next opportunity (Carolina) A
Great Panthers back Christian Mccaffery has an ankle injury, so it may come down to stopping QB Teddy Bridgewater, who can’t do it alone — and figures to fall victim to Jerry Magee’s Transcontinental Theory.