Five takeaways should give an offense a chance to take control of a game. The Chargers got them in Buffalo and still lost 24–16.
Los Angeles is 0–3 entering Week 4, and Sunday’s game report lays out why the frustration goes beyond a slow start. The Chargers led 10–0 after the first quarter, then managed only two more field goals. Buffalo drew level by halftime and won with two fourth-quarter touchdowns.
Justin Herbert has to be part of the improvement. So does an offense that failed to turn enough of those opportunities into touchdowns.
Too many drives stopped short
The Chargers scored touchdowns on one of their four red-zone trips, according to NFL.com. A 25% rate in one game is a description of that afternoon, not a forecast for the next four visits. It still helps explain how Los Angeles forced so many turnovers without scoring enough to win.
There is no need to invent a different final score by turning every missed chance into a touchdown. The actual sequence is frustrating enough: a strong opening, repeated opportunities and just six points after the first quarter.
Herbert needs help, and he needs to play better
Through three games, Herbert had 627 passing yards, three touchdown passes and four interceptions. In Monday’s team report, Jim Harbaugh backed his players and offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel while describing a review of execution, scheme and communication.
That is the right breadth for the problem. A quarterback can miss the read or the throw. A play can also fail because the protection breaks down, a route arrives late or a catchable pass is dropped.
The totals establish that the offense has not done enough. Assigning the blame play by play would take a closer film review; Herbert’s final line cannot do that work on its own.
Seattle offers the next test
The Chargers travel to Seattle in Week 4. Their Wednesday matchup preview again points to cleaner execution and better finishing.
The first signs of progress may be ordinary ones: reaching third down with a manageable distance, finding an answer when the first receiver is covered and finishing a red-zone possession without needing an exceptional rescue play.
A win would ease the immediate pressure. An offense that can put those plays together across several drives would give the Chargers more to carry forward. Buffalo gave them extra chances. They cannot expect Seattle to do the same.
Opportunities did not become enough points
| 5 | Buffalo turnovers |
|---|---|
| 1 / 4 | red-zone touchdowns |
| 6 | second-half points |
September 27 at Buffalo. Sources: Chargers official recap and NFL.com. Final: Buffalo 24, Los Angeles 16.
