Nick Canepa’s Chargers report card
Quarterbacks
Justin Herbert’s valedictorian pass catchers were missing, so he had to show his cool and mobility going with receivers on George Costanza’s meaty part of the curve vs. a bad secondary. His first throw past 10 yards came to Mike Williams (25 yards) 19 minutes in. Broke NFL rookie record for most TD throws with one to Austin Ekeler.
Running backs
INC
Ekeler is one of The League’s more versatile backs and he doesn’t play enough (one first-half carry?), but he ran like a madman in the last few minutes. Kalen Ballage is a serviceable backup who probably plays too much.
Receivers
Keenan Allen and Hunter Henry, Herbert’s WR class was missing 160 catches worth 1,605 yards, so there were some separation issues. TE Stephen “Who?” Anderson caught the first pass and did real nice things. Mike Williams’ big catch was his pick on the final Hail Mary.
Offensive line A
“The Five Gnocchis” kept their shape in boiling water for the most part. RT Bryan Bulaga started, for once, and left in the second quarter (foot). Trai Turner had a bad face mask. Didn’t have to do much run blocking until the end, and pass protection, while not sturdy, was good enough with QB having presence and escapability.
Defensive line
Joey Bosa was out concussed and Uchenna Nwosu joined Melvin Ingram on IR, so there weren’t enough stout ends to hold up books. They put little lint in Denver’s pocket (no sacks). Run defense, poor early, recovered.
Linebackers
Oft-injured Denzel Perryman returned and tackled often, as usual. Kenneth Murray shows flashes, but needs to improve in coverage. Nick Vigil had a runthe-QB-out-of-bounds sack.
Secondary
Hurt by zero pass rush. Casey Hayward had an end zone pick to lasso the Broncos’ first drive. Michael Davis had a fine game. Tevaughn Campbell covered. Got lucky on multiple, ridiculous Jerry Jeudy drops (the last one despite brutal coverage).
Special teams
an A. Nasir Adderley returned the opening kickoff 53 yards (and had a 30-yarder later), followed by a Michael Badgley 43-yard FG (he had others from 43, 25 and, remarkably, the 37-yard winner).
Coaching
Anthony Lynn, who blew a 21-point advantage and lost in Denver, blew another lead to the Broncos — this one 13 points in the fourth quarter. Got away with mother-henning a halftime lead. Went for it fourth-and-8, but not fourth-and-2 at the goal line. Refused to allow his QB to throw long. Play calling stunk.
Next opportunity (at Chiefs) Gimmie?)
How many Chiefs will rest? They got lucky Sunday and clinched a bye and home field throughout the postseason, so the only thing K.C. has to play for might be free barbecue at Arthur Bryant’s. Chargers can’t beat a good team straight-up.