The Los Angeles Chargers hit rock bottom Sunday, dropping to a dismal 0-8 after what felt like one of their worst outings of the year against the Houston Texans. Despite putting up 22 points, the PFF grades are in, and they paint a brutal picture: the backup squad, led by QB D.J. Uiagalelei, completely showed up the starters in their lopsided loss.
Herbert’s Interception Streak Is Just Painful
Justin Herbert threw his 11th interception of the season, extending his pick streak to eight consecutive games to start the year. Eight straight! His 46.3 PFF grade for the game is just ugly, and even his 6th touchdown of the year, a 58-yarder by Quentin Johnston in the fourth quarter, was described as a “lucky break” after Johnston broke one tackle on a five-yard slant. That’s not exactly inspiring. The starting offense, with Herbert at the helm, went 37 drives without a touchdown. Thirty-seven! Center Jake Slaughter, with a 49.9 grade, looked rough in all phases, specifically missing blocks on a key screen play to wideout Tre’ Harris. Alex Harkey, grading at 51.6, also had a brutal day, forced into playing right guard after Branson Taylor got rolled up just nine plays in, following Cole Strange getting benched. Talk about a bad hand, but it was still a rough performance.
Backups Shine While Defense Deflates
The contrast is stark: D.J. Uiagalelei, with a 65.2 grade, and the backups scored a touchdown on their *first* drive after replacing the starters. Uiagalelei’s first career NFL touchdown pass went to Derius Davis, who posted a phenomenal 90.1 PFF grade, his first elite game grade on offense. Other offensive standouts include tight end Charlie Kolar, with a 67.0 grade, and running back Keaton Mitchell, at 63.5, both tying for the team lead with three catches. Mitchell also showed “efficient” play with some “good chunk runs.” On the offensive line, Joe Alt, grading at 63.8, continues to be the team’s best, allowing zero sacks and just two pressures. Defensively, Chris O’Leary’s unit had a rough day, getting picked apart by Texans receivers making “crazy play after crazy play.” But can you blame them? The source says they were “looking a bit deflated after balling out for seven weeks just to see their offense make zero improvements two months into the year.” Sounds like a group that’s just had enough. Linebacker Marlowe Wax, with a stellar 91.3, was the lone standout on defense.
The grades from Sunday confirm what everyone watching already knew: this team is in trouble. When your backups are showing up your starters so clearly, and your starting quarterback is throwing an interception every single game, 0-8 isn’t just a record, it’s a symptom. The Chargers have to figure something out, because a promising defense can only carry a broken offense for so long.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bolts from the Blue.
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