Chargers’ loss to Broncos reveals they’re average, not inconsistent

The Chargers had a 47-point outburst in a victory over the Cleveland Browns in Week 5 and followed that with a six-point performance in a loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

One week, the Chargers beat the Philadelphia Eagles with Justin Herbert completing 84% percent of his passes and no punts, and the next week, they were stifled by a short-handed Minnesota Vikings defense at home with Herbert held under 200 passing yards. Those games occurred in Weeks 9 and 10.

For the Chargers’ latest one-step-forward-one-step-back performances, the offense totaled 41 points and 533 yards in a wild win against the Pittsburgh Steelers. That was followed by a flat offensive performance in Sunday’s 28-13 loss to the Broncos in Denver.

The Chargers have struggled to maintain an offensive rhythm since starting the season 4-1, but Chargers coach Brandon Staley declined to say they’re inconsistent.

“That’s a good team that we played yesterday,” Staley said Monday. “We had some good stretches (offensively). And I wouldn’t characterize our performance as inconsistent. I feel like we’re playing some good defenses.”

Perhaps Staley is right in saying that his offense isn’t inconsistent. Maybe they’re right where they need to be at 6-5 with a new coaching staff and a top-heavy roster.

The Chargers’ offense has shown considerable potential throughout the season, but those moments might have been merely flashes of a developing offense that’s still searching for an identity.

To many, it was a head-scratcher when the Chargers delivered a dud in Baltimore after a three-game winning streak against the Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders and Browns. Some viewed the home losses to the Vikings and New England Patriots as hiccups for a team destined to make noise in the postseason.

After the loss to the Broncos, it might be time to accept that the Chargers were overvalued when they got off to a 4-1 start behind their young star quarterback.

The Chargers have been saying for weeks by their performances on the field that they’re an average team, not an inconsistent team.

“Could it be better?” Staley said about his team being in the middle of the AFC standings. “Yeah, it could be. It could be worse. And we’re right where we are, which is 6-5.”

From Staley’s point of view, the Chargers’ offense is ahead of schedule for his long-term plans for the organization. But they weren’t overconfident when they became a trendy pick to win the AFC and play a home Super Bowl at SoFi Stadium.

The Chargers aren’t the type of team that plays in “supposed to win” games. They haven’t earned that trust, despite being the betting favorite in most of their games this season.

They’re typically involved in one-score, 50-50 games because they’re missing a No. 2 running back, a No. 3 wide receiver and lack depth on the offensive line.

But every now and then, the Chargers are going to light up the scoreboard because running back Austin Ekeler and wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams are three of the best playmakers in the NFL.

Average teams can sneak into the playoffs with star quarterbacks, which Herbert has proven to be. But often, the Chargers need Herbert to rescue them with a small margin for error.

Herbert’s end zone interception against the Broncos hurt them, but the Chargers’ defense still failed to get a stop on a drive that started on the 20-yard line with the Broncos protecting a 14-7 lead early in the fourth quarter.

The Chargers’ defense has bigger holes than the offense, and Staley hasn’t shied away from that. He was critical of the defensive performance after the loss to the Broncos and said they played a big part in why the offense struggled.

Staley was disappointed by Jerry Jeudy’s 13-yard reception on third-and-8 during the Broncos’ opening drive. The Chargers eventually forced a stop near midfield, but that led to the Broncos punting the ball at the 1-yard line for Herbert.

Staley factored in the defensive struggles and the poor protection from an offensive line that was missing left guard Matt Feiler because of an ankle injury when assessing the Chargers’ flat offensive performance in Denver. He was upset about the lack of execution on second downs and when the game was tight in the fourth quarter.

Staley had no issue with the offensive play-calling from Joe Lombardi and expressed confidence in his offensive coordinator.

“I feel like we’re doing a really good job growing with our offensive personnel and just have a lot of confidence in our whole offensive staff. We’re going to continue to get better, and that was a good defense that we played yesterday.”

The Chargers are growing, but they’re having trouble running the ball and stopping the run. As of Monday, the Chargers were ranked 22nd in rushing yards per game (103.0) and 32nd in rushing yards allowed per game (145.3).

They are who they are after 11 games, but they’re still in the playoff race.

With many finally accepting the Chargers for who they are, they won’t be expected to win against the Cincinnati Bengals (7-4) on the road this weekend. The Chargers are currently slotted as the seventh and final AFC playoff seed with the Bengals in fifth.

Maybe these confusing Chargers play better when they’re not expected to win.