In a game where the defense still played well despite the 30 points put up by the Seahawks, it was edge rushers Tuli Tuipulotu and Khalil Mack that shined the brightest. Tuli was the team’s highest-graded player with an elite 91.7 game grade, followed by Mack’s 86.1.
Offensively — and you’re not going to believe this — but right guard Cole Strange was that unit’s highest-graded player at 75.5. That’s surprising and also not surprising given that he was one of two healthy starters to begin and end
the game.
In a very up-and-down game for the Chargers, it’s a positive to see them hang around the reigning Super Bowl champs long enough to actually threaten them with a loss on the very last drive.
Is that enough for fans to calm down in any sense of the word? My guess is no.
Alright, let’s take a look at this week’s grades.
Offense
Best
RG Cole Strange – 75.5
OT Joe Alt – 74.7
LT Logan Taylor – 74.6
TE Oronde Gadsden – 71.7
RB Omarion Hampton – 65.5
Strange went from being the offense’s worst-graded player to their highest-graded player in the span of a week. His 75.5 was tops among the unit and his run block grade was an elite 90.8.
Alt’s 77.3 in run blocking was second best while his pass block grade of 66.3 was fifth best.
Taylor’s first 28 snaps of his career ended in him earning a near-elite 86.6 pass block grade. His 66.9 run block grade was good for fourth.
Hampton saw a season-low 25 snaps but looked great when he was leaned upon in the second half. The Chargers would be wise to not overthink his fumbles and continue to ride their first-round pick.
Worst
C Jacob Spomer – 42.2
QB Justin Herbert – 43.8
WR Ladd McConkey – 44.0
TE Hayden Rucci – 50.7
TE Patrick Herbert – 52.0
Spomer’s first 11 career snaps came against the likes of Leonard Williams and Byron Murphy. That’s a real “Welcome to the NFL” moment for the undrafted rookie. He’ll be better for being thrown to the wolves like this and I’m not too worried about how he looked in that small sample size against elite competition.
Herbert had two egregious interceptions, both of which were thrown directly into the arms of a linebacker standing in front of his intended receiver. Both were indefensible. I’m not sure what he was looking at nor what McDaniel coaches him to do on those particular plays but it was really, really bad on the live broadcast.
McConey dropped his first pass of the season and it happened third down to kill a promising drive. Looks like the bad vibes have now extended to the team’s best wideout.
Patrick Herbert, Justin’s brother, recorded a higher grade but still wound up in the bottom five with a terrible 22.0 in pass blocking.
Defense
Best
EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu – 91.7
EDGE Khalil Mack – 86.1
LB Troy Dye – 74.7
S Elijah Molden – 66.0
LB Marlowe Wax – 65.9
Tuli’s grade was pushed into elite territory due to high grades in every area other than pass rush. His interception gave him an elite coverage grade of 93.8 to go with an 82.0 in run defense and a 75.6 in tackling.
Mack produced one sack and four pressures while leading the team with four stops. He also posted an 82.0 in run defense and a 69.6 in pass rush (second best on the team).
Dye posted a team-high 72.7 pass rush grade that was reinforced with a sack on third down to force a punt by Seattle during their final drive of the game. The huge play gave the Chargers a shot at tying it up in the final 90 seconds.
Worst
DT Justin Eboigbe – 37.0
EDGE Bud Dupree – 37.5
S Tony Jefferson – 40.2
DT Teair Tart – 40.5
LB Del’Shawn Phillips – 41.7
Eboigbe’s unnecessary roughness penalty late in the fourth quarter almost erased any chance the Chargers had at a final drive to tie it up. His run defense of 47.0 was fourth worst on the team, as well.
Jefferson’s 33.4 coverage grade was tied for worst on the team with Phillips. Phillips’ 28.5 in tackling was fourth worst on the team and his 54.3 run defense grade was middle of the pack.
Tart posted a 40.5 in tackling (fifth worst) and a 51.6 in run defense (sixth worst). He had two pressures but a missed tackle.
