The Union-Tribune’s Nick Canepa grades the Chargers following Thursday’s 63-21 loss to the Raiders in Las Vegas:
Quarterbacks: F
Justin Herbert, having a bad season with fingers, is gone for the year. So Easton Stick, the 5-year backup, got his first NFL start. But (of course) he was without Keenan Allen, The League’s leading receiver, meaning Stick got to preside over the worst Vegas performance since Bugsy Siegel opened the Flamingo. A total embarrassment, battered by a team that was shut out last week. Stick found himself in an immediate 7-0 hole to a horrid offensive team. And he then fumbled it away on his second series, leading to another TD. Then he was down 21-0, then 28-0. Then 35-0. Then 42-0 at the half. Then there was a strip-sack returned for a touchdown. And a pick-6. The NFL should have ordered a running clock.
Running backs: F
They either have had trouble running the ball — or they refused to run it . No matter. Joshua Kelley fumbled away a carry that led to the third TD. Hopeless.
Receivers: F
Not only was Allen in the nurse’s office with a bad heel, so was huge tight end Donald Parham Jr. (shoulder). At least wideout Joshua Palmer returned from a bad knee and caught a 79-yard touchdown thanks to a Raiders breakdown. Quentin Johnston had a garbage-time TD.
Offensive line: F
Zion Johnson ed the Incompetents, holding after his team got down by three TDs. A few seconds later, nobody blocked anybody on Stick’s sack.
Defensive line: F
Top tailback Josh Jacobs was out for Vegas, which should have been a big break for the Chargers’ D. It wasn’t. The Raiders ran for over 100 yards anyway.
Linebackers: F
Khalil Mack, the NFL’s leading sacker, had six the last time these two met. Shut out this time, he was. Had an early batdown. Eric Kendricks had one, too, and later, a sack. Big deal.
Secondary: F
Derwin James, having a terrible year by his Pro Bowl standards, got beat for the second touchdown (very questionable catch). Michael Davis quickly allowed a TD after the Kelley fumble and probably had the worst night of his life.
Special teams: F
Ja’Sir Taylor had some brain flatulence and ran into the punter to open things. Derius Davis then fumbled away a punt return in the Raiders’ red zone. And this was an area of strength. Davis returned a punt for a TD. Was it called back? Yes.
Coaching: F-
Brandon Staley coached probably the worst effort in the history of the franchise. Not that teacher needed this ridiculous performance to realize he can’t be a head coach in The League, but this was so awful, so over the top pathetic in every phase of the game, it makes one wonder how he ever coached anything. His team gave up.
Next opportunity — vs. Bills: F
Another nocturnal affair, this one Saturday night, and the Boys of Inglewood are not owls. More like birds of pray. The Judases should forfeit.
