Nothing went right for the Chargers in Week 1, as they were embarrassed by the Cardinals at home, 26-14.
It was a rough outing in all three phases, and the offense did themself no favors. While there were some concerns about the Chargers, the offense as a whole had very few.
The expectation was that Mike McDaniel would transcend that unit; instead, after one week, it's left NFL writers like Zachary Pereles of CBS Sports questioning that idea.
Pereles believes the Chargers offense is already behind the eight ball after their loss to the Cardinals.
"The Chargers scored a measly 14 points -- tied for their fewest in Week 1 in the past quarter century -- in a dispiriting 26-14 loss to the Cardinals. "Dispiriting" might be putting it nicely," Pereles
wrote.
"The Chargers were 9.5-point favorites against a team expected to be in contention for pick No. 1 next year ... and lost by 12.
"Perhaps we should have known there'd be growing pains.
Herbert has long been a player who wants to hang in the pocket and push the ball downfield when he can," Pereles continued.
"McDaniel prefers a quick-hitting, rhythm-based air attack. It wasn't a perfect fit, and the Chargers knew it needed work. That's why Herbert played so much in the preseason.
After one week, the Chargers offense looked nothing like what many expected.
Los Angeles had only 268 total yards, 187 passing yards, averaged 3.9 rushing yards per play, and turned the ball over twice. No other wide receiver, other than Ladd McConkey, made his presence felt.
Outside of McConkey, the wide receiving unit collected 37 yards between Tre Harris and Quentin Johnston, who combined for five catches.
There was nothing positive to take away from the Chargers' Week 1 performance; however, the silver lining is that it's only one week.
The Chargers have 16 more games to play, which gives them plenty of time to figure it out and become the juggernaut many predicted they'd be.
Time is certainly on their side.
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Chargers' offense already has back against the wall, says NFL insider
