The Chargers have reached their bye week, and the on-field product has been incredibly bleak. Coming off back-to-back 11-win seasons under Jim Harbaugh, the wheels have completely fallen off, leaving the team sitting at 0-6.
Here is the comprehensive bye-week report card for the Bolts:
Offense
Grade: F
The offense under coordinator Mike McDaniel has been a disaster, currently ranking dead last in the NFL in EPA per play. They reached a new low point in their 22-6 Week 6 loss to the Chiefs, failing to score a single touchdown despite the defense handing them three takeaways. Quarterback Justin Herbert is suffering through the worst stretch of his career. He has thrown a league-worst 8 interceptions and is completing just 59.4% of his passes while under constant
pressure. The unit is 30th in points per game (15.0) and is plagued by a heavily injury-ridden offensive line that has already allowed 21 sacks. Harbaugh has openly said the team is re-evaluating the playbook structure during the bye week.
Defense
Grade: B+
If there is one reason the Chargers haven't been completely blown out every week, it is the defense led by first-year coordinator Chris O’Leary. The defense has kept the team competitive, ranking 8th in the league in success rate (44.4%) and recording 10 takeaways over six games (tied for 3rd). The secondary has taken a massive step forward, holding opponents to just 206.2 passing yards per game (9th in the NFL). They have occasionally struggled to plug the run, giving up 123.8 rushing yards per game (25th in the NFL). However, given how little help the offense provides, this unit has played remarkably well.
Special teams
Grade: C-
In the first four games of the season, coordinator Ryan Ficken's group struggled, registering a league-low -22.74 EPA. The unit suffered from a blocked punt and a muffed punt return by Derius Davis. Costly mistakes, including a 15-yard penalty by Tuli Tuipulotu on an opponent's missed field goal, extended drives and handed opponents points. And sub-par kick and punt return averages consistently forced the Chargers' offense into long-field situations. However, they showed positive signs in their last game against the Chiefs. Davis returned a punt for 21 yards. The coverage unit also stepped up, highlighted by Troy Dye forcing a fumble on a punt return.
This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: Chargers bye week report card: Grading offense, defense, special teams
