Chargers Daily Links: Bolts earn solid ‘B’ in loss to Raiders

The Chargers are back in a losing skid despite the offense playing as one of the best units in the NFL. Justin Herbert’s excellent play continued after another solid outing with 326 yards passing and two touchdowns, but it wasn’t enough in the team’s latest 31-26 last-second defeat to the Raiders on Sunday evening.

Once again, the defense and special teams combined to waste another excellent outing for the rookie by giving up 31 points and coughing up a muffed punt in the fourth quarter.

Even with those facts, John Breech of CBS Sports gave the Bolts a solid “B” grade for their latest performance. Here’s what he had to say:

“In a season of heartbreaking losses, the Chargers were dealt another one on Sunday. The Chargers appeared to have the victory wrapped up after Justin Herbert hit Donald Parham for a four-yard TD on the final play of the game, but the score was overturned after a review showed that the ball hit the ground. The play capped a disastrous final eight minutes for the Chargers, who also lost a fumble on a punt return. The turnover led to a field goal for the Raiders. If that hadn’t happened, the Chargers would have only needed a field goal to win on their final drive. In what’s starting to become a weekly thing, Herbert had another impressive showing despite the loss. The rookie quarterback threw for 326 yards and two touchdown and drove the team to within one yard of the win.”

Breech essentially echoes everything I said, and surprise, it didn’t make it any easier to read.

It’s only a bigger indictment of the defense knowing that the Bolts continue to be viewed in a positive light only because of Herbert and the offense’s success.

At this point, it’s not a stretch to say it anymore. There will be no postseason this year. The season is already over at the midway point. Right now, it’s time to worry about the draft and what changes are set to occur on this coaching staff, if any. It sucks. It really does, but that’s just reality.

And now for today’s links.

Chargers News:

Check out highlights from Sunday’s game (Chargers.com)

Twitter had plenty to react to from Sunday’s loss (Chargers Wire)

Tyler Gallagher overreacts to the Chargers’ Week 9 loss (Bolt Beat)

Look back at every catch from Keenan Allen against the Raiders (Chargers.com)

NFL News:

John Breech gives each team a letter grade for their Week 9 performance (CBS Sports)

Steelers improved to 8-0 with tough victory over the Cowboys (ESPN)

Dan Graziano has your Week 9 overreactions (ESPN)

The Saints pounded the Buccaneers 38-3 on SNF (CBS Sports)

Patrick Mahomes became the fastest player to throw for 100 touchdowns (Pro Football Talk)

Steelers-Cowboys drew the largest crown of the 2020 season (Pro Football Talk)