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5 takeaways from a Chargers’ loss to the high-powered Rams

By Alexander Insdorf

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 23: Derwin James #33 of the Los Angeles Chargers intercepts the ball in front of Gerald Everett #81 of the Los Angeles Rams during the second quarter of the game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 23, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 23: Derwin James #33 of the Los Angeles Chargers intercepts the ball in front of Gerald Everett #81 of the Los Angeles Rams during the second quarter of the game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 23, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Chargers lose a tough 35-23 game to their crosstown rivals, the Rams, with decent offensive performances and a bad day defensively.

Well, I can’t say I didn’t expect this loss. I guess that’s the good thing this week. The Chargers have played two of the top five teams in the NFL in their first three weeks. It gets a little easier from here. I always thought the Rams would ultimately be too much for the Chargers, with their defense eating teams alive in the first two weeks and the offense scoring 30 points routinely. Let’s get into the big takeaways from this week.

1. Bad tackling, and little pressure from the defense

LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 23: Cooper Kupp #18 of the Los Angeles Rams breaks free from Trevor Williams #24 of the Los Angeles Chargers for a touchdown during the third quarter of the game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 23, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 23: Cooper Kupp #18 of the Los Angeles Rams breaks free from Trevor Williams #24 of the Los Angeles Chargers for a touchdown during the third quarter of the game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 23, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

The Rams have one of the best offensive lines in the league. In my opinion, with the Dallas Cowboys’ line now struggling, it’s the best in the league.

The Chargers still should’ve had more pressure than that in my opinion. They’re still dealing with Corey Liuget’s suspension as well as Joey Bosa’s injury for at least one more week. But it feels like in the three games so far this season that really only Derwin James, Melvin Ingram and maybe Darius Philon and Brandon Mebane occasionally are the only ones who can put any pressure on the quarterback and runners out of the backfield. Isaac Rochell has struggled big time in Joey Bosa’s role.

Sloppy tackling plagued the team as well.

Cooper Kupp’s touchdown was pretty embarrassing on a whiff from Trevor Williams. They couldn’t bring down Todd Gurley all day. It was just an overall mess from the defense, despite some good performances from James, Casey Hayward and Ingram. It’s time to get the defense straightened out and fixed with some easier opponents coming up.

2. Mike Williams is a physical beast

Mike Williams was a huge difference maker in the game Sunday. He’s clearly become a favorite end zone target for Philip Rivers, already racking up 3three touchdowns on the year. He just has excellent size and speed that causes headaches for defenses. In his first full year of being in the offense and studying the playbook, Williams has been amazing.

He also is excelling as a deep threat, averaging 17.2 yards a catch. It was a game where Keenan Allen and the rest of the receiving corps struggled against the Rams. Expect Rivers to keep throwing it deep to Williams all this year.

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