The Los Angeles Chargers couldn’t have drawn up a better start.
The Bolts are 3-0, with all three wins coming against divisional opponents. After a thriller against the Broncos and two games vs. the Chiefs and Raiders that never felt close, the Chargers are on top of the world.
It’s the franchise’s first 3-0 start since 2002—a season that ended in an 8-8 record and no playoffs. This time, the outlook feels different. With eight opponents remaining on the schedule ranked in the bottom half of ESPN’s Week 4 power rankings, 62% of their games come against lower-tier teams.
Despite the stellar start, the three games have shed light on some glaring issues.
The offensive line is a severe liability
Going into the season without Rashawn Slater, it was clear the offensive line wouldn’t be at full strength. But few predicted Mekhi Becton would battle both illness and injury, or that Joe Alt would be the lone stabilizing force.
Alt has allowed zero pressures and just one sack so far this season. The rest of the line hasn’t come close to his level of play.
Against Denver, Herbert was pressured 29 times and sacked five. That’s pressure on more than half of his dropbacks. That said, one near-sack turned into Herbert’s highlight of the year—a play that launched him into the MVP conversation.
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But Herbert’s heroics won’t save the Chargers every time. With Becton, Trey Pipkins, and Bradley Bozeman all listed on Thursday’s injury report, the situation is worsening. That’s three of the five starters down, and Pipkins—already a reserve pushed into action—is now battling injuries himself. Something has to change if the Chargers hope to win the division and make a deep playoff run.
Justin Herbert is leading the MVP conversation
Through three weeks, Herbert leads the league in passing with 860 yards and six touchdowns. He’s thrown just one interception, the result of a deflection rather than a poor throw, which he rarely makes. Both the Broncos and Chiefs matchups were “prove it” games for Herbert, who has been the subject of narratives questioning his ability to win under the spotlight. So far, he’s risen to the occasion.
His talent has never been in doubt. He won Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2021 and finished second in passing yards in both 2021 and 2022. But this season feels different. He’s thriving with second-year coordinator Greg Roman, a young receiving corps, and a patchwork offensive line. Despite the inexperience around him, he continues to be accurate and composed—and arguably the most impressive quarterback in the league.
Herbert already has 17 career game-winning drives. Anyone still doubting his clutch ability either has a personal vendetta or believes quarterbacks are also responsible for playing defense.
He’s made the most of limited weapons throughout his career, but now he doesn’t have to play constant hero-ball. As a result, he’s finally stepping into the NFL’s top tier of quarterbacks. If he keeps up this pace, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Justin Herbert holding the MVP trophy in February.
The run game is a non-factor
It’s a good thing the Chargers have Herbert, because the run game hasn’t shown up. Between poor blocking, Omarion Hampton’s slow start, and Najee Harris’ season-ending Achilles injury, the ground attack is sputtering.
Hampton is averaging just 3.4 yards per carry with one touchdown. He was always expected to play a big role, but Harris’ absence forces him into an even heavier workload. He showed progress against the Broncos, nearly matching his rushing totals from Weeks 1 and 2 combined.
The Chargers leaned heavily on the run to start last season before finding their groove midyear. This season may be the opposite: heavy passing early while the run game lags behind. Hampton’s breakout seems to be coming, but very, very slowly.
Defense is the biggest strength
If the Chargers keep playing like this, defensive coordinator Jesse Minter will be a head-coaching candidate next offseason. In just his second year, he has built one of the league’s most feared units.
Last season, the Chargers led the NFL in scoring defense. So far this season, they’re top-ten across the board—in passing, rushing, and scoring defenses. Not to mention first in red zone defense. They have absolutely terrorized Patrick Mahomes, Geno Smith, and Bo Nix so far, and rookie Jaxson Dart is getting his first NFL start against an elite unit that has shown no mercy thus far.
Though they’re missing star veteran Khalil Mack for at least the next few weeks with an elbow injury, the pass rush should hold up. Derwin James, Daiyan Henley, Tarheeb Still, and others have stepped up to keep the unit balanced.
Allowing barely 17 points per game while smothering quarterbacks and clamping down inside the 20, this defense has earned every bit of its reputation as the NFL’s most suffocating unit so far.
It appears that the Chargers are the team to be feared in the AFC at the moment.
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