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LA Chargers: Grading the team in its dramatic win over the Bengals

By Alexander Insdorf

CINCINNATI, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 13: Wide receiver Trenton Irwin #16 of the Cincinnati Bengals cannot make a catch in front of cornerback Casey Hayward #26 of the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half at Paul Brown Stadium on September 13, 2020 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - SEPTEMBER 13: Wide receiver Trenton Irwin #16 of the Cincinnati Bengals cannot make a catch in front of cornerback Casey Hayward #26 of the Los Angeles Chargers during the second half at Paul Brown Stadium on September 13, 2020 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images) – LA Chargers
(Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images) – LA Chargers /

While it wasn’t always pretty, the LA Chargers managed to eek out a win vs. Joe Burrow and the Bengals.

The LA Chargers got to 1-0 on Sunday after staving off a late drive by Joe Burrow. For once, a missed field goal finally went their way as well. The offense struggled for the first three quarters but showed up when it needed to in the fourth quarter. Joshua Kelley and Casey Hayward stood out during the game on both sides of the ball.

Next week the Chargers will take on the Chiefs in an important divisional game, but for now let’s grade Week 1’s performance.

Tyrod Taylor

This was certainly a lackluster performance on the field. This comes with a couple of asterisks obviously. Trai Turner being inactive with an injury was an unfortunate development and Shane Steichen was coaching in his first game.

How did Tyrod Taylor do? Meh. That’s my reaction to his first game. Taylor made some great plays on the run like his strike to Jalen Guyton, but also looked indecisive at times. To me, the issue was less about quarterback play and more about play calling. The Chargers seemed to go away from the run when it was working and vice versa whenever they had a successful passing play.

Most of the first two quarters were not good for Taylor, but he found a groove after the drive to end the first half. Of all my critiques of Taylor this game, my main one, would be getting the ball to Keenan Allen more. We saw how hard it was to win without Allen being a factor today, and it’s of the utmost importance that he’s heavily involved vs. Kansas City.

Grade: C+

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