Nick Canepa’s report card

Quarterbacks

A

There was a largest-in-history 21-year age gap between Justin Herbert (third career start) and Tom Brady (287th) — and Brady never had lost at home to a rookie QB. Still hasn’t. Kid lost to GOAT. It took Tom 5 minutes to score against a bombed-out D, putting Herbert in another hole. But he responded quickly, throwing short, long, effectively. Up to a bad last pass that got picked and ended it, he was outstanding. Coach’s loss.

Running backs

D

Misery begets misery. Protean Austin Ekeler left early with a hamstring that looked awful. Duties left to Joshua Kelley and Justin Jackson. Kelley had a huge fumble off a ridiculous coach-ordered high handoff near their own goal line when up 24-7 late in first half.

Receivers

B

“Who Dat?” day in Tampa. Tyron Johnson scored the first TD fresh off the practice squad, replacing Mike “Injury Report” Williams. Giant (6-9) backup TE Donald Parham Jr. had a splendid TD. Then Herbert hit Jalen Guyton on a 72-yarder to put them ahead on the final play of the third. None of the three made another catch but Keenan Allen, the rock, had a surrealistic grab.

Offensive line

B+

Again missing three starters. Herbert was sacked but twice by a good front. Sam Tevi (315 lbs.) had a holding penalty bigger than he is. Forrest Lamp assisted Jackson in a brutal chop block that ruined a drive.

Defensive line

F

You don’t beat surgeon like Brady if you give him room to operate, and in the second half they gave him a room, table and equipment. He finished sanitary. No sacks. Line missed two starters, including DE Melvin Ingram, which created continuous double teams on Joey Bosa.

Linebackers

F

White had naughty illegal contact and a bigger personal foul because of it, then got beat deep by the tight end for a score, and then got beat on a 50-50 ball to Gronk.

Secondary

D

Everyone went to bed with no covers on a wide open goahead TD pass. Michael Davis read a weak Brady throw and got himself a 78-yard firstquarter pick-six. Uber-reliable Casey Hayward’s worst game.

Special teams

D

Michael Badgley had a 53-yard FG to put his side up 24-7, then failed on a 47-yarder.

Coaching

F

Anthony Lynn entered without 10 of his 22 projected season starters. But little things lose games. Horrible error not running out the clock at the end of the half. Did he make another mistake not going for it fourth-and-1 when his defense was gassing? If he replaces Herbert, he gets an applied F for life.

Next opportunity (at New Orleans)

F

Monday night game in NOLA in a normally loud building with no noise. They haven’t beaten Brees since he left.