The Union-Tribune’s Nick Canepa grades the Chargers following Sunday’s 6-0 win over the Patriots:
Quarterbacks: C
Justin Herbert has to be telling himself: “How bad is New England’s offense when we shut them out?” Answer? Pathetic. Herbert basically got wet with few open places to target. A horrible affair. In any event, in persistent Northeastern wetness, a punting parade began. On a bold, third-and-long play, Herbert found Alex Erickson to throw ice on the horrible proceedings. Six points?
Running backs: C
Austin Ekeler can use some gloves to help with hands that suddenly have disappointed him. The run game was a crawl.
Receivers: D-
Four drops. No deep stuff. Everyone had trouble separating. TE Gerald Everett made himself available and had some nice gains. Rookie Quentin Johnston had a big catch getting his guys out of horrible field position and then had another ridiculous drop. Keenan Allen had little going on but warmed up in the third. Donald Parham dropped a huge, easy catch that could have ended things.
Offensive line: B
Zion Johnson had an inappropriate and untimely illegal motion. Rashawn Slater jumped. Also untimely. Again, Herbert wasn’t sacked.
Defensive line: C
A lot of problems early with poor tackling and getting blocked, just hammered vs. poor O line on the ground. But they regrouped. Morgan Fox had a tackle-for-loss, forcing a punt. Nick Williams had a TFL.
Linebackers: A-
Rookie Tuli Tuipulotu, who’s on his way to being really good, forced and recovered a fumble that stopped the Pats’ first quarter drive. Later he was duped on a big QB scramble. Justin Hollins followed with a sack, then Khalil Mack added one to halt a drive, and Khalil came back with another to end a drive (third straight game with 2). Eric Kendricks was in on a lot of stuff, including a TFL, a big sack and a saving batdown.
Secondary: B
Derwin James came through with a game-changer sack (his first of the year!) midway through the fourth. The more the season goes on, the more Alohi “Goodbye” Gilman improves. Deane Leonard got beat big and it allowed the Pats to actually get past midfield
Special teams: A
Returner Derius Davis took the plus off the A for allowing a catchable punt to drop. Teacher doesn’t understand. But Derius had a pretty, 35-yard punt return at the end of the half down to the Pats’ 27. JJ Scott had one of the greatest punting games in team history. He dropped a beauty inside the 5, two inside the 10, a 62-yarder inside the 15, another at the 2, and had one tipped for a touchback. Player of the game. Cameron Dicker The Kicker did all the scoring with two 38-yard field goals.
Coaching: A
Brandon Staley went bold at the end and did nothing to lose the game.
Next opportunity — vs. Broncos: F+
Hard to say the Broncos are good, but if they’re close, it will be good enough for them.
