Jay Posner’s Chargers report card
Quarterbacks C
Substitute teacher called in for Sunday night California Clash and the class responded early. Justin Herbert was 4-for-4 on the opening drive as Chargers took a first-quarter lead for the first time since Week 4. Herbert made an incredible throw to DeAndre Carter to set up a score in second quarter, then took a shot to helmet from Dre Greenlaw on scramble late in first half.
Running backs INC
Offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi stubbornly ran the ball on first down throughout the second half and other than a 12-yard run by Austin Ekeler got nothing. Nowhere to run, no points to score.
Wide receivers C
Do they have any? Once again without Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. Carter’s TD was the longest of season for Chargers and he had another big play that got Chargers inside 5. Gerald Everett had a third-down catch on the opening drive but he went out later (groin).
Offensive line D
Foster “Freeze” Sarell played his first game at right tackle and held up OK. Blocking for the run barely existed and when Herbert dropped back to pass he either threw it quickly or was under pressure.
Defensive line C
Rookie Otito Ogbonnia got his first start and promptly went down (left knee) in middle of pile on goal-line stop on first drive. Christian Covington left in the fourth quarter.
Linebackers C
Khalil Mack had a TFL in second quarter, then a big sack in the third. Kenneth Murray Jr. knocked himself out in a collision with teammate Michael Davis and while he was out Troy Reeder got beat for 33 yards. Murray returned and got away with a face mask. Drue Tranquill missed a tackle on important third down.
Secondary D+
Coverage was adequate most of the night — except at crucial times. Davis got beat for 22 yards by George Kittle on third-and-12, then by Brandon Aiyuk on third-and-9 late. Bryce Callahan also couldn’t cover Aiyuk on critical third down, leading to go-ahead TD. Aiyuk earlier beat Asante Samuel Jr. for a TD, but dropped the ball.
Special teams B
Nick Niemann deflected a second-quarter punt and Cameron Dicker went 3-for-3 on field goals, putting a nice draw on a 47-yarder. J.K. Scott twice failed to pin the Niners inside their 15.
Coaching C
Brandon Staley changed up practice schedule this week in effort to get his team to compete immediately, and it worked (13-3 lead). Defense definitely played better most of night but the offense bogged down in second half with unsuccessful first-down runs and it felt like only a matter of time before the lead — which should have been larger early — evaporated.
Next opportunity (K.C.) D
Chargers have played Chiefs close, splitting last four meetings, but blew 10-point lead in September at Arrowhead, where crowd advantage was only slightly larger than the one Kansas City will enjoy Sunday night at SoFi.