Let’s get right to it. This past game against the Chargers was a tough one, and it’s clear that we have a lot to address moving forward. Losing 51-14 is unacceptable, and we need to be better across the board.
First and foremost, I want to acknowledge that this was not our best performance. We got outplayed in all phases of the game. Offensively, we struggled to find any rhythm. Shedeur Sanders, who was phenomenal last week, had a rough outing. Completing 18 of 40 passes for 236 yards and 1 touchdown isn’t the issue; it’s the 9 interceptions that hurt us. Shedeur, we’ve talked about ball security and making better decisions under pressure. We can’t afford to turn the ball over that many times and expect to win. I know you’re better than this, and I expect you to learn from these mistakes and bounce back stronger.
Our running game was virtually non-existent. Devin Neal had a nice 58-yard run for a touchdown, but we need more consistency. We have to do a better job opening up lanes and sustaining blocks. This will help take some pressure off our quarterback and create a more balanced attack.
C.J. Smith had a decent game with 5 receptions for 75 yards, but again, we need more. It’s about execution and making plays when it counts. We need to capitalize on opportunities and be more aggressive in our approach.
Defensively, we allowed too many big plays. Justin Herbert threw for 302 yards and 4 touchdowns on us. We can’t let that happen. We have to be more disciplined in our coverage and get more pressure on the quarterback. Our tackling needs to be sharper, and we need to play with more intensity.
Marcus Williams had a good game with 5 tackles and a forced fumble, but we need everyone on the defensive unit to step up. It’s about playing as a team and holding each other accountable.
I want to commend the Chargers for their performance. They played a solid game and took advantage of our mistakes. But as I’ve said before, we need to focus on what we can control and get better each day.
We have to come together as a team and understand that these types of losses cannot happen if we want to compete at a high level. It starts with me as the coach, and it trickles down to every player. We need to practice harder, play smarter, and execute our game plan more effectively.
Moving forward, we have to have a short memory. This loss stings, but we can’t dwell on it. We need to learn from our mistakes, put in the work, and come back ready to fight. We owe it to ourselves, our fans, and this organization to perform better.
