LA Chargers: 4 biggest disappointments through 4 weeks of the season

3. The turnovers

I want to start this by saying that not all turnovers are created equal. The LA Chargers’ M-O heading into this season was to not turn the ball over and with Justin Herbert at the helm the team has turned the ball over too frequently. Meanwhile, the team did not turn it over with Tyrod Taylor at the helm.

Anyone that prefers Tyrod over Herbert will cite that fact but it is not a fair, apples to oranges comparison. Sure, Taylor did not throw an interception, but the offense had more three-and-outs then they have had with Herbert and could not move the ball down field.

I’d rather have an offense that can move the ball and have Herbert throw a pick deep in enemy territory that serves as a punt rather than three-and-outs. That is not exactly what has happened, but its more simple than just the turnover number.

In the Chargers’ case, they have been burned by the times they did turn the ball over. I do not think the interception against the Kansas City Chiefs shifted the game enough that the Chargers lost. Herbert gets a pass there.

However, in Week 3, Herbert got hit from behind and fumbled, which originally looked like Bryan Bulaga’s fault, but was really because Herbert bothced a three-step drop. Joshua Kelley then fumbled and Herbert threw a pick that was a potential six-point swing as it allowed Carolina to kick a field goal right before half.

Then, against Tampa Bay, Joshua Kelley fumbled near the Bucs’ endzone and Herbert threw a pick on the last drive of the game. The pick hurt to see, but I do not necessarily blame Herbert there. You have to take shots and it simply did not work out.

Some blame Herbert for the fumble and Lynn even said that both Herbert and Kelley were at fault. Realistically, though, I think Kelley fumbles that ball no matter who handed it off. Philip Rivers, Justin Herbert, Tyrod Taylor or Patrick Mahomes.

So yes, the turnovers have been disappointing, but I would not go as far as to say that Herbert has been the source of them and things would be much different with Taylor under center.