conv.

All stories
SportsQuiet 38h · day 3

Chargers' 0-2 start puts season on pace for disaster, analyst warns

Los Angeles has lost twice to weak opponents; ESPN's Ben Solak predicts a top-10 draft pick.

newest coverage 1d agosummary written 1d ago3 pieces NewswiresGoogle News

What to know

  • The Chargers lost back-to-back games to weak opponents (Cardinals and Raiders) by identical 26-14 scores, placing them in rare historical company—only four teams have started 0-2 against sub-.500 teams.
  • ESPN analyst Ben Solak projects a top-10 draft pick finish, citing pervasive problems: Justin Herbert underperforming, Mike McDaniel's offense unprepared, a shaky offensive line, and a defense failing to meet expectations.
  • The schedule ahead is brutal—Buffalo, Seattle, Denver, and Kansas City before a Week 7 bye—making an 0-6 start plausible and a catastrophic season likely.

“The offense was expected to elevate under Mike McDaniel; however, that's been far from the case. The defense was expected to pick up right where it left off... that's also been far from the case.”

Chargers Wire, Team analysis · Yahoo Sports ↗

Justin HerbertJustin Herbert Chargers quarterbackMike McDanielMike McDaniel Chargers head coachBen Solak ESPN analyst

Chargers' 0-2 start puts season on pace for disaster, analyst warns
Sporting News

How it unfolded 2 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articles

Peak 1 piece in one hour at Sep 21, 11 AM; 3 pieces over 3 days (3 articles) Sep 21, 11 AM — 1 piece · 1 article — Google News 1Sep 21, 12 PM — quietSep 21, 1 PM — quietSep 21, 2 PM — quietSep 21, 3 PM — quietSep 21, 4 PM — quietSep 21, 5 PM — quietSep 21, 6 PM — quietSep 21, 7 PM — quietSep 21, 8 PM — quietSep 21, 9 PM — quietSep 21, 10 PM — quietSep 21, 11 PM — quietSep 22, 12 AM — quietSep 22, 1 AM — quietSep 22, 2 AM — 1 piece · 1 article — Newswires 1Sep 22, 3 AM — quietSep 22, 4 AM — quietSep 22, 5 AM — quietSep 22, 6 AM — quietSep 22, 7 AM — quietSep 22, 8 AM — quietSep 22, 9 AM — quietSep 22, 10 AM — quietSep 22, 11 AM — quietSep 22, 12 PM — quietSep 22, 1 PM — quietSep 22, 2 PM — quietSep 22, 3 PM — 1 piece · 1 article — Newswires 1Sep 22, 4 PM — quietSep 22, 5 PM — quietSep 22, 6 PM — quietSep 22, 7 PM — quietSep 22, 8 PM — quietSep 22, 9 PM — quietSep 22, 10 PM — quietSep 22, 11 PM — quietYesterday, 12 AM — quietYesterday, 1 AM — quietYesterday, 2 AM — quietYesterday, 3 AM — quietYesterday, 4 AM — quietYesterday, 5 AM — quietYesterday, 6 AM — quietYesterday, 7 AM — quietYesterday, 8 AM — quietYesterday, 9 AM — quietYesterday, 10 AM — quietYesterday, 11 AM — quietYesterday, 12 PM — quietYesterday, 1 PM — quietYesterday, 2 PM — quietYesterday, 3 PM — quietYesterday, 4 PM — quietYesterday, 5 PM — quietYesterday, 6 PM — quietYesterday, 7 PM — quietYesterday, 8 PM — quietYesterday, 9 PM — quietYesterday, 10 PM — quietYesterday, 11 PM — quietToday, 12 AM — quietToday, 1 AM — quietToday, 2 AM — quietToday, 3 AM — quietToday, 4 AM — quietToday, 5 AM — quiet ◂ 1 earlier2
Sep 22yesterdaynow · 6:44 AM ET
  1. 2

    Chargers join rare historical cohort of weak-opponent upsets

    ESPN Insights reports the Chargers are only the fourth team in NFL history to start 0-2 after facing opponents who won three or fewer games the prior season. They join the 1995 Jaguars, 1942 Lions, and 1934 Cincinnati Reds, which combined for a 4-31 record.

    “I think ... The Chargers will pick in the top 10 of next year's draft. I can't name 10 teams worse than the Chargers (0-2) through two weeks. I'm not even sure I can name five.”
    — Ben Solak, ESPN analyst · source
    1. 1 outlet Chargers' 0-2 start is something the NFL rarely sees

      first by Yahoo Sports, 2d ago

  2. 1

    ESPN's Solak predicts Chargers headed for top-10 draft pick

    Analyst Ben Solak forecasts a disastrous season, projecting the Chargers will end up with a top-10 pick in 2027. He cites widespread issues: Herbert playing below form, McDaniel's offense unprepared, offensive line struggling, and defense underperforming.

    1. 2 outlets ESPN analyst predicts Chargers' 0-2 start is only beginning of a disastrous season

      first by Sporting News, 1d ago · also Yahoo Sports

  3. background

    Chargers lose Week 2 to Raiders by same 26-14 score — Los Angeles drops to 0-2 after an identical loss to Las Vegas. Both losses came against weak opponents the Chargers were expected to beat handily.

  4. background

    Chargers lose Week 1 to Cardinals 26-14 — Los Angeles falls to Arizona in the season opener, a matchup expected to be a win for the heavily favored Chargers.