Chargers Hit Rock Bottom as Herbert’s Injury Clouds Winless Season

WHO:

chargers.com - Justin Herbert said he should have thrown the ball away rather than taken some of the sacks.

chargers.com - The Los Angeles Chargers, led by Head Coach Jim Harbaugh and quarterback Justin Herbert, lost to the Houston Texans.

chargers.com - Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud threw for 384 yards, five touchdowns and one interception.

chargers.com - Chargers players quoted included Charlie Kolar, Tony Jefferson, Joe Alt, Tarheeb Still, Daiyan Henley, Quentin Johnston and Cameron Dicker. Texans players mentioned included Tank Dell.

Daily Mail Sports - The Chargers were defeated by the Houston Texans.

NY Post - The Chargers’ offense scored a touchdown after not scoring one since Week 5.

Pro Football Network - Calls mounted for multiple Chargers jobs to be lost, with critics calling the team “The Worst Team in Sports” and “Simply Unwatchable,” and urging the team to “Fire Everyone.”

WHAT:

chargers.com - Houston averaged 7.3 yards per play and scored 34 points from the second quarter onward.

chargers.com - Before the game, the Chargers defense ranked ninth in EPA per play (0.024) and 10th in success rate (45.8%), according to Pro Football Focus. It had allowed 31 passes of at least 15 yards in the season’s first eight weeks, the fourth-fewest in the NFL, according to PFF.

chargers.com - The Chargers fell to 0-8 after a 44-22 loss to Houston, reaching the halfway point of their regular season without a win.

Daily Mail Sports - Houston defeated the Chargers 44-22 at SoFi Stadium.

chargers.com - Houston outscored Los Angeles by 28 points over the roughly 20-plus minutes after the Chargers trailed by one late in the second quarter.

chargers.com - The Chargers’ first six scoreless drives included three punts, an interception, a fumble and a turnover on downs. They converted five of 17 third downs, including two of seven in the second half.

chargers.com - Herbert connected with Quentin Johnston for a 58-yard touchdown, the Chargers’ first touchdown since the third quarter of Week 5 and their longest play of the season to that point.

chargers.com - Houston gained a season-high 485 yards and scored 44 points; the Chargers allowed eight of 14 third-down conversions and nine passes of at least 15 yards, including two 63-yard touchdowns.

chargers.com - Herbert was sacked a career-high eight times; the Chargers recorded one sack on Stroud, split by Caleb Murphy and Jefferson.

NY Post - The Chargers’ defense had arguably its worst game of the season, while the offense ended its touchdown drought.

WHERE:

Daily Mail Sports - The game was played at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.

chargers.com - The Chargers’ next game is on the road against the Ravens on Monday Night Football.

WHY:

chargers.com - Harbaugh said the Chargers would make adjustments and do everything in their power to protect Herbert; he said the Texans protected their quarterback better.

chargers.com - Harbaugh and players cited execution, third-down performance, missed red-zone opportunities and inadequate quarterback protection as areas contributing to the loss.

HOW:

chargers.com - The Chargers scored three field goals on their first four drives. They twice reached the Texans’ high red zone in the first half but settled for field goals, including attempts from 33 and 43 yards.

chargers.com - After a Chargers punt, Dell muffed the return at Houston’s 27-yard line with 1:17 left in the first half. Houston recovered possession and scored a touchdown before halftime.

chargers.com - Harbaugh said the team would “Stay together” and “keep fighting”; players said they would review the tape and work to correct mistakes.

The Chargers fell to 0-8 after Houston handed them a 44-22 loss. C.J. Stroud threw for 384 yards and five touchdowns, while Justin Herbert was sacked eight times. Herbert said he should have thrown the ball away; coach Jim Harbaugh promised adjustments.