The LA Chargers started the 2020 season with a victory against the Cincinnati Bengals, but it wasn’t a pretty win.
It was a messy Week 1 all around the league, full of surprises and unexpected events, but nevertheless, the LA Chargers prevailed and beat the Cincinnati Bengals by a field goal.
Judging by social media, it seems most people expected the Chargers to blow the Bengals out of the water, even though they are starting a new quarterback, installing a new offense, missing two key offensive linemen and had no preseason to get into form.
It’s true that a better effort will be needed to beat the Kansas City Chiefs, who are the reigning Super Bowl champions for a reason, but it might be too early to be calling for Tyrod Taylor’s head. The playcalling wasn’t the best, to say the least, and Taylor might benefit from more creativity on Shane Steichen’s part.
The defense was as stout as expected, and save for the last drive, it didn’t seem like they missed Derwin James a lot. That will surely change against the Chiefs’ potent offense, even if the Chargers’ defense has been one of the best in limiting Patrick Mahomes and company ever since that five-touchdown effort in 2018 Week 1.
To have a chance at taking down the best team in the league, the Chargers will need to improve a few things from their win against the Bengals.