The Los Angeles Chargers limp into Week 3 at a dismal 0-2, with QB Justin Herbert’s early numbers screaming trouble: he’s completed just 59.3% of his throws, tossed two touchdowns against three interceptions, and has already been sacked six times. But before the Buffalo Bills start looking past this game to their Week 4 Patriots matchup, they need to snap out of it. This Sunday’s contest is screaming “trap game,” and the Chargers are exactly the kind of team that pulls off the unexpected in the unpredictable NFL.
Don’t Assume Anything in September When The Narrative Is So Clear
You can’t blame anyone for feeling like they have the Chargers figured out after an 0-2 start. Herbert’s stats are ugly, especially after he had another dud of a playoff game last January. Offensive coordinator Mike McDaniels, once a widely regarded genius, is watching that luster fade fast. Even head coach Jim Harbaugh, at his age, has folks wondering if he can truly be a Super Bowl-caliber coach. The Bills have every reason to feel confident, and I’ll never blame a team for feeling good against an opponent spiraling. But this is the NFL, especially in September. You cannot assume anything is over before it begins. There’s too much parity, and right when we think we’ve got teams figured out, the unexpected strikes.
Why The Chargers Still Have Punch, Despite The Early Season Woes
To write off the Chargers completely, despite early struggles, would be a huge mistake. The talent is undeniably there! Justin Herbert has insane big-time throw ability, even when things are rough. McDaniels might be struggling now, but he coached a Dolphins team where Tua Tagovailoa led the NFL in passer rating, with plenty of talent. Then you’ve got Derwin James, a defensive monster who’s been a first or second team All-Pro six times! And don’t forget Jim Harbaugh’s track record of winning everywhere he’s coached, from FCS football to Stanford, Michigan, and the 49ers. What’s even wilder? McDaniels’ rather hapless Dolphins trounced the Bills 30-13 last November. The bounce-back tendency of the NFL cannot be forgotten before this Week 3 game; it’s very real. More often than we initially believe, two teams playing each other one week do not resemble what we’ve previously seen from them.
Buffalo absolutely cannot get caught looking ahead to Week 4’s Patriots game. As much as the Chargers may very well be already into a season-long implosion with some polarizing but previously successful characters at the top, that NFL bounce-back is lurking. Sure, favorites can cruise. But if Buffalo can get out to a sizable lead in the first half, it does feel like this Chargers team won’t have nearly as much fight in it as the Lions showed in Week 2. That’s the key: come out swinging and establish dominance early, or risk getting shocked by a team everyone thinks they’ve already written off.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Buffalo Rumblings.
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