Chargers Week 1 Report Card (Recap)

Nick Canepas Report Card from the San Diego Union Tribune has been very accurate through the years! His week one recap is dead on accurate. The key takeaway is how well the Chargers played in the second half! Especially the Defense! And the never give up attitude! It was all Raiders early on and the Raider fans were very happy! However, the second half was an entire different story!

Quarterbacks: C

Justin Herbert was fresh off a training camp foot issue (which has healed), put his worst foot forward as things unfolded. Nothing doing. Eighteen minutes passed before his second first down. A lot of short stuff, knowing his receiving crew doesn’t have pedigree. The Chargers were 0-for-7 on first-half third downs. But Herbert persevered and was in control after intermission.

Running backs: A

Gus Edwards and J.K Dobbins, brought in from Baltimore, are starters 1 and 1-a. Dobbins (when healthy, which is rare) is dangerous, and he showed it with a 46-yard run and an 11-yarder for their first TD, and ran out of gas on a big 61-yarder.

Receivers: C-

Will Dissly had three early penalties, which has teacher ready to send the newbie to the principal’s office. Wideout Quentin Johnston, last year’s No. 1 pick — and a bust — is talented, and he showed it when he had a chance. Rookie Ladd McConkey made it four pre-snap penalties early in the second quarter, but he caught the icing TD late. Joshua Palmer could have had a touchdown, but didn’t.

Offensive line: C+

New and spotty. Couldn’t block for the run in most cases and pass blocking was nothing for Canton in the first half. Much better after intermission. Rookie Joe Alt is a stud.

Defensive line: A

Otito Ogbonnia is feisty in the middle. As was Poona Ford, who made a huge fourth-and-1 stop and had a late pick.

Linebackers: A+

Joey Bosa had a big third-and-1 stop early, and a great shoestring to stop a sure first down. Khalil Mack had the first sack, and Bosa had one on the next play. Mack then scooped up a backward pass and returned it into scoring position before the half. He also had a sack and a tip. Denzel Perryman was a tackling machine when he was with the team years ago, and nothing much has changed. Junior Colson was bitten for a chunk that led to nothing.

Secondary: C+

Asante Samuel Jr. was everywhere, which included being out of position when he missed a tackle leading to the first touchdown. Samuel also had a hit out of bounds and recovered a fumble forced by Bosa. Alohi Gilman was active and a reason why the DBs tackled better.

Special teams: A-

Cameron Dicker The Kicker put his team on the board with a 53-yard field goal, then two shorter ones. Darius Davis tried to return a punt from the 1, as if it were the first time he’s played. JK Scott, as usual, punted well, given multiple opportunities.

Coaching: B

Jim Harbaugh’s team was sloppy early in his debut, which he played without gimmicks. Needless penalties. A conservative offensive game plan that wasn’t working. Thought he should have gone for it fourth-and-1 in the second quarter. But his team was stout. It was a win — and the other guys scored 10 points.

Next opportunity — at Carolina: A