The Los Angeles Chargers’ season has proven to be a complete failure.
The Chargers were predicted to be an above .500 team this season, but with a 0-7 start, the team now has very little wiggle room to even make that expectation a reality.
Coming off a bye week, the team did not appear to have taken any significant strides, suffering a 24-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Nov. 1.
The Chargers put together a promising first half, scoring nine points on three field goals.
One of the biggest positives from the half came in the final seconds of the second quarter when quarterback Justin Herbert threw a hail mary 54 yards to Ladd McConkey.
Unfortunately for the Chargers, McConkey was tackled at the one-yard line as time expired and went
into the locker room without additional points.
The play didn’t help create any momentum for the Chargers, who finished scoreless in the second half.
The Chargers will have the opportunity to turn things around against the Houston Texans on Sunday, Nov. 7, at home.
After seven consecutive losses this season, who is to blame for the disappointing start to the season?
Who is to blame for Chargers’ 0-7 start?
There is a lot of blame that could be passed around regarding the team's recent on-field struggles.
Coach Jim Harbaugh, offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel and quarterback Justin Herbert are among the three in that order that should take on the bulk of that responsibility.
The Chargers moved away from being a pass-heavy offense that proved to be functional and efficient compared to what the offense has presented under McDaniel's watch this season.
Harbaugh added McDaniel to lead the offensive staff with the expectation that he would be an upgrade over what was already in place.
Herbert has been an above-average quarterback during his time in Los Angeles and he should be in the midst of a career year as a veteran and not regress with an uptick in interceptions.
Should Jim Harbaugh take full blame for Chargers' struggles?
As the head coach, Jim Harbaugh should take the brunt of the blame and responsibility.
He had the opportunity during the bye week to make much-needed changes to the offense but did nothing.
"We're aware of what the issues are, and we're the only ones that can fix them," Harbaugh told reporters on Nov. 1.
Harbaugh continued to get peppered with questions during the media availability but remained fairly vague.
"Our motivation is a dedication to getting it changed, getting it fixed," Harbaugh said when asked about keeping McDaniel.
While there was a pledge that some changes would be made, McDaniel remained as the playcaller through the bye week.
The Chargers have actually doubled down on their support and loyalty for one another.
Offensive lineman Joe Alt said the group remains bought in but admitted his displeasure with the results.
"Just frustrated," Alt said. "You want to come away with a win as a player and as a unit we have to be better. The scoreboard reflects that. … We have to score more points."
The offense has not scored a touchdown in its last nine quarters of play. It's a drought that spans 27 possessions.
Stagnant offense under coordinator Mike McDaniel
As offensive coordinator with a clear directive from the head coach to score points, McDaniel’s offense failed another test.
“We’re not scoring enough points,” Harbaugh said on Oct. 18 after a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on the road.
McDaniel talked about collaborating with Herbert to help turn things around during the bye week. The coordinator called the bye week not much of a break, because "there were problems to solve."
The duo spent four hours watching film together throughout the week to "find spots to build on, where you can find spots to improve," but those again didn't necessarily result in touchdowns and a victory.
"In this league you have to produce results, or there's going to be heat, so I don't expect anything else,” McDaniel said during a press conference on Oct. 29.
The heat is on, but it remains unclear when Harbaugh may be ready to make a change or if the organization will make it for him.
Last season, the Chargers had a middling offense under coordinator Greg Roman. It ranked 20th in the league with 21.6 points per game. The offense threw 14 interceptions and scored 36 total touchdowns.
This season, the Chargers rank last in scoring offense, averaging 14.1 points per game. The team is also averaging 310.9 total yards per game and has just nine total touchdowns through the first seven games.
Despite all the struggles Herbert has dealt with this season, he remains publicly bought into McDaniel's offense.
"I believe in him," Herbert said. "He's a great coach. He's very smart and it's on us as an offense to make those plays. ... We just have to make plays and score points and score touchdowns and we haven't done that for him."
Justin Herbert's role in Chargers' ongoing struggles
Herbert completed 24 of 32 passes for 257 yards and two interceptions against the Rams on Sunday. He was also sacked twice.
"Whatever we've been doing hasn't been enough and it's up to us," Herbert said during the postgame press conference on Nov. 1. "Only we in the locker room can change it and work toward it."
Herbert has averaged 24 passing touchdowns and 9.7 interceptions per season through his career. This season has seen remarkable regression.
The star QB has completed 131 of his 212 pass attempts for 1,398 yards with just five touchdowns through the first seven games. He's already thrown 10 interceptions and has been sacked 23 times this season.
He's also second in rushing for the Chargers with 33 carries for 183 yards and three touchdowns.
"We don't really pay attention to the opinions of outside people," McDaniel told the media on Nov. 5. "People are saying whatever they want with whatever facts they have when we're not living up to expectations. ... Keep it moving."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: As Chargers look for answers, who is to blame for 0-7 start?
