By admin 
Sunday’s game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Seattle Seahawks started out the way many likely expected it to. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert promptly threw an interception, his fifth of the young season, on the team’s first offensive play of the game.
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He then threw another interception late in the second quarter before L.A. had scored a single touchdown. Before one could say “automatic loss,” the team found itself down 27-6 early in the third quarter.
But then, something interesting happened. The Chargers’ offense started clicking, and they outscored the defending Super Bowl champions 17-3 the rest of the way. It was too little, too late, as they lost 30-23, but it could be a tiny glimmer of hope as the noose tightens even more around their necks.
The Chargers’ offense looked better than it has in a while
It seems like the Chargers haven’t had a potent offense since flip phones were still common. But in the second half of Sunday’s game, Herbert, who has been playing the worst football of his NFL career overall to start this season, finally looked like the player people have long envisioned him becoming.
He completed 14 of 17 passing attempts for 159 yards, one touchdown pass and no interceptions in the second half. He did that even though starting offensive tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater and guard Trevor Penning all left due to injuries throughout the game. The Chargers’ offensive line was already banged up coming into Week 4, as starting left guard Kayode Awosika and second-string guard/tackle Trey Pipkins III were out due to injury.
There was even a Quentin Johnston sighting. The speedster fourth-year wide receiver, who is considered a disappointment or even a bust by many, caught a 44-yard bomb by Herbert late in the fourth quarter on a fourth-down-and-seven.
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Perhaps this stretch of offensive competency by L.A. was nothing more than a garbage-time mirage. Or perhaps it was a sign that its players are finally starting to figure out new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel’s scheme. Whatever it was, head coach Jim Harbaugh made it clear afterward that McDaniel isn’t going anywhere, despite some fans calling for McDaniel to be fired.
“His job is not in jeopardy,” Harbaugh said, per Kris Rhim of ESPN. “He’s a skilled coach, and we’re going to keep growing.”
The road ahead won’t get easier for the Chargers. They will face the Denver Broncos next Sunday and the Kansas City Chiefs, who are currently undefeated, in Week 6. After their bye in Week 7, they will then play against the Los Angeles Rams, Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens the following three weeks.
Their schedule will get a little easier afterward, but they will still have games against the Broncos, Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers and New England Patriots after Week 10. In other words, if their offense doesn’t quickly get on track, they could start to flirt with the worst record in franchise history, which is currently held by the 2000 Chargers, who went 1-15.
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This story was originally published October 4, 2026 at 10:26 PM.