The Los Angeles Chargers are already staring down a season that looks beyond saving, sitting at a brutal 0-5 through Week 5. This Week 6 matchup against the Chiefs still has plenty of urgency, but it is for all the wrong reasons as the Chargers try desperately to salvage something from this early-season wreckage. No team has ever made the playoffs after losing their first five games, a crushing historical weight hanging over the locker room.
The Chargers Are A Mess, And Their Coach Knows It
Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh didn’t mince words after last week’s defeat to the Denver Broncos. He flat-out admitted he didn’t even know what message he could give his team to recover from such a poor start. That’s a stark admission from a coach, telling you exactly how dire things are. On top of that, offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel’s job is clearly in jeopardy. Why wouldn’t it be? Their offense is ranked 25th in the NFL in total offense, and a dismal 29th in passing. Their franchise quarterback, Justin Herbert, is one of the league’s lowest-ranked passers, sporting a dreadful stat line of just five touchdown passes against seven interceptions. It is tough to see how they dig themselves out of this, even if the 1992 Chargers did make the playoffs after a 0-4 start, finishing 11-5. This 0-5 hole feels different.
Meanwhile, The Chiefs Are Rolling
No such problems exist for the Kansas City Chiefs, who are sitting pretty at 4-0 and coming off a much-deserved bye week. Patrick Mahomes is getting some serious help this season, with Kenneth Walker III crushing it as the league’s second-leading rusher, taking a ton of pressure off Mahomes as he returns from a torn ACL. And their defense? It is absolutely legit. They’ve allowed the third-fewest rushing yards in the NFL and are ranked 10th in passing yards allowed. This team is built to win now, and they are doing exactly that.
The Chiefs are hosting the Chargers in their first meeting of the season, airing on CBS. A win here would be huge for Kansas City, creating a considerable lead in the AFC West and keeping them firmly ahead of other conference contenders like the Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, and Jacksonville Jaguars. This game might be about the Chiefs solidifying their dominance, but for the Chargers, it is about clinging to any last shred of hope.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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