Nick Canepa’s Chargers report card
Quarterbacks B
Playing against a COVID-impaired Division II defense, Justin Herbert came out looking like a clipboard holder, missing five of his first six throws. He then completed 12 straight, mostly short things, before a throwaway, and tossed a TD to Keenan Allen seconds before the break. Another came later to Mike Williams.
Running backs A
THE back, Austin Ekeler, was back, and he scored on the opening drive (but he’s still handled like a porcelain doll). He had better plays catching (a brilliant 40-yarder) than running. Same for sub Justin Jackson, who has become valuable.
Receivers C
Williams was taken off the COVID list and tight end Jared Cook was put on it. Williams caught a 42-yard TD in the fourth, to give Herbert the team’s all-time single-season record for scoring passes (35). Allen had an average-for-him day before getting dinged in the fourth. Not enough separation vs. a vulnerable secondary.
Offensive line C+
Run blocking couldn’t help but improve as the game went along. Vital center Corey Linsley (COVID) came back to class, as did RT Storm “Warning” Norton, but Linsley damaged his back in the first quarter (replaced by Scott Quessenberry). No sacks allowed. Trey Pipkins took most of the snaps at RT and performed OK.
Defensive line C
Jerry Tillery had an early sack of backup Drew Lock, who left injured and returned, and a TFL. Christian Covington was prevalent. Justin Jones was another who returned from the virus and he had a goal-line stop (also a roughing), as did Linval Joseph.
Linebackers C
After a game’s absence, Joey Bosa (virus) returned, but Kenneth Murray was out for the same reason. Bosa was in many places, making a huge goal-line stop, and TFL. Kyzir White is good.
Secondary D
Huge that all-important Derwin James returned from his hammy, and COVID cases Nasir Adderley, Chris Harris and Michael Davis (beaten deep twice and also juked) joined him. James dropped an easy pick — and also a difficult one — but at least they used him in the pass rush (roughed the passer on third down, but a splendid player). Harris had a big goal-line rush. Couldn’t cover Noah Fant with a truck full of salt. Tackling stunk.
Special teams A+
First A+ teacher remembers giving Teams. Andre Roberts, their best return man since Darren Sproles, returned, with a dash of 47 yards on the opening kickoff and a fourth-quarter 101-yard backbreaker.
Coaching B
Brandon Staley is headed for the biggest game of his life — a play-in playoff game in Vegas — but his team will have to be better than it has been lately. At least he seems to have annual disaster special teams figured out.
Next opportunity: (at Raiders) C
They travel to Vegas, where good fortune is necessary, and for them, a history of bad luck is the residue of their goofball design. Prof doesn’t have a whole lot of confidence.