LA Chargers: Team grades in loss to Carolina Panthers

The LA Chargers dropped to 1-2 on the 2020 season with a loss to the Carolina Panthers.

The LA Chargers headed into Week 3’s contest as touchdown favorites at home against the Carolina Panthers. And in classic Charger fashion, the team lost a close game because of its own mistakes despite obviously being the more talented team.

We were one Keenan Allen to Austin Ekeler pitch away from this being a different kind of article — one where we addressed the team’s flaws but were still happy to escape with a win. Instead, it is a painstakingly familiar feeling on Monday morning.

The sad part is that, for the most part, the Chargers were not bad on all three sides of all the ball — it was one area that ultimately cost them the game. Here are the unit grades for Week 3.

Special teams: C+

A C+ grade might seem a bit harsh for the special teams unit as it was fairly solid in the chances that it did get. Michael Badgley made every kick that he attempted and Ty Long hit booming punts in the chances that he got, particularly helping the Chargers win the field position battle in the second half.

However, it could have been better. His first punt of the game could have been better and the Chargers did not have any particularly impressive returns and the team did allow the Panthers to down the ball at the 1 before the Chargers’ attempted game-winning drive.

It was a controversial call but I agreed with the call that the referees ultimately made.

The special teams would have earned a B grade if it was not for Damion Square. Square was penalized on a field-goal attempt by Carolina which turned into a touchdown on the next play as he allowed them to extend the drive.

Jerry Tillery did block the extra point but that three-point swing ultimately changed the entire game. If you think about it, instead of a hook and ladder at the end of regulation, the Chargers would have had a game-winning field goal attempt down two for Michael Badgley.

Since they were good everywhere else they get a C+. They could have still won with that penalty from Square as well.