The Los Angeles Chargers finally had their first loss of the season in New York, and they’ll be looking to turn things around without their offensive tackle Joe Alt. Below are things to look out for in this next game:
Can the Chargers’ Offensive Line Thrive without Joe Alt
Alt gets a gold star when it comes to protecting quarterback Justin Herbert. So far this season, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF), he’s only been responsible for one sack and three quarterback pressures and has a high pass blocking grade (87.1%). After losing left tackle Rashawn Slater in the offseason to a knee injury, Alt seamlessly made the switch from right tackle to left, a position he knows all too well from playing it over the course of his college career.
Besides offensive guard Mekhi Becton, Alt was the one piece the Chargers were really counting on within the offensive line. Now Alt has a high ankle sprain and will be out, most likely, for the next few weeks. And when he exited the game on Sunday, without Becton, who is still in concussion protocol, the offensive line went downhill and had their worst pass blocking grade (27.5%) of this season.
Along with center Bradley Bozeman, the two alternatives to typical players on the offensive line also had pass blocking grades in the 20s on Sunday. Jamaree Salyer had a grade of 29.3% and was in at right guard for Becton, while Austin Deculus had a grade of 22.4% and was in at left tackle for Alt. During the fourth quarter, Giants edge Abdul Carter got right around Deculus to get to Herbert, who luckily got the ball out, but it fell incomplete.
Meanwhile, Sayler was responsible for a sack as Giants’ edge Brian Burns maneuvered around him. Hopefully, the Chargers can get Becton back, but if not, this offensive line is worth monitoring as the Commanders do have players like outside linebacker Von Miller and linebacker Bobby Wagner to contend with, and the Chargers need to protect Herbert if they have any chance of making this a successful season.
How Justin Herbert Responds to the Two Interceptions
Herbert had an interception by Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II during the first quarter, and Lawrence almost returned that ball for a touchdown, if not for Herbert ankle tackling him. And another happened during the third quarter, where he was intercepted by Giants cornerback Dru Phillips. It was a hard game, given the pressure, the lack of his two-star offensive lineman, and the fact that one of his reliable weapons, wide receiver Ladd McConkey, had two dropped passes.
Herbert should be able to bounce back this coming week, as long as he can stay ahead of the pressure. But once a multi-interception game happens, there’s always the worry it’ll snowball, and the Chargers can’t afford that, especially with the Chiefs in the “W” column for the last two weeks.
Can Rookie Running Back Omarion Hampton Continue to Ascend?
Hampton just had his breakout game, which included 128 rushing yards and a 54-yard touchdown run, where he found a small opening and ran right up the sideline and into the end zone. On Hampton’s first game as the lead back, he certainly showed that he’s up to the task, and though every week can’t be as productive, considering the turmoil the offensive line is going to face in matchups to come, it’ll be helpful if Hampton can get a few extra yards on the ground that the Chargers may not be able to get through the air.
How the Chargers Handle the Many Talents of Commanders Quarterback Jayden Daniels
The Chargers did manage six sacks in Sunday’s game against the Giants, including five on Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart and one on backup Russell Wilson, who briefly stepped in for Dart when he was forced to come out to be evaluated for a concussion. Edge Tuli Tuipulotu was the star of the day as he was responsible for four of those sacks. The Chargers will need to keep that same energy for Daniels, as he relayed he intends to play after being out the last two weeks due to a knee injury.
Daniels, like many of the quarterbacks the Chargers have encountered in recent weeks, can attack with his legs and is not afraid to scramble. He was also last year’s Offensive Rookie of the Year and ranked fourth in ESPN’s NFL Total QBR 2024 Season Leaders rankings (67.7%) and was first (84.2%) in the postseason. The Chargers’ defense will have its work cut out for it to shut down Daniels, whether it be through the air or with his legs, but with the way that Tuipulotu played on Sunday, if the pass rush is dominant, Daniels should turn into a manageable worry.
If the Losses Will Pile Up
There are certainly factors stacked against the Chargers in this next game. On top of Daniels and the banged-up Chargers’ offensive line, Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuel is one to watch for, as he’s a versatile player who can be used on the rushing and receiving side, though he is working through a heel injury, so it remains to be seen if he’ll play. And there’s an added vertical threat in Commanders’ wide receiver Terry McLaurin if he’s well enough to play, as he’s been battling a quad injury.
The Commanders are a tough team, and sometimes one loss can start a downward trend. And the Chargers have “Chargered” for so many years that it’s very possible for them not to come out on top this next game. This will be one of the bigger tests they need to pass.
