The Chargers sit at 0-3 after another heartbreaking loss to Buffalo. HC Jim Harbaugh maintains that in several areas he sees improvement and "fight" within the team. But even if the Chargers find a way to improve their offense and special teams enough over the next few weeks, it may be too late.
There's a key spotlight on OC Mike McDaniel's offense right now as well as player execution. But Harbaugh's decision-making has also cost the Chargers this season. Specifically, game management and 4th down decisions are still not his strong suit.
Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh still isn't much better at key 4th down decisions in his return to the NFL.
Harbaugh's never necessarily cut his teeth on being an elite game manager. But 2025 and 2026 have shown that LA's head coach is falling a bit behind the curve. Via NFL NextGenStats, Harbaugh went for recommended 4th down attempts 50% of the time. That figure was the second lowest in the league.
Via NFL NGS: In 2025, the Chargers opted to go for it on 4th downs in recommended scenarios 50% of the time (2nd lowest in the league)
— Alex Insdorf (@alexinsdorf99) September 29, 2026
Through 3 weeks of 2026, NGS tracking of the Chargers says they have not gone for it on any recommended 4th down opportunity this year. pic.twitter.com/SzkUd8nPeh
In 2026, NFL NextGenStats data suggests that Harbaugh has not gone for it on any recommended 4th down scenario. An early 4th and 3 up 7 from Buffalo's 13 resulted in a field goal. Models across the board said the decision leaned go for it. Harbaugh explained earlier in the week that he wanted to put up points on the board.
Harbaugh then opted to go for it on a 4th and 10 with five minutes left and three timeouts in a four point game vs. Buffalo. The NFL NextGenStats model decisively listed the recommended decision as a punt. Harbaugh said that he wanted "the extra odds" of converting that 4th down play. That answer simply didn't make sense. LA's players were also poorly set before the attempt and Harbaugh refused to call timeout.
There's an argument that points are at a premium with how much the offense is struggling. That's understandable to an extent. But very few teams have won must-win games against Josh Allen's Bills by kicking field goals. And considering Harbaugh's lack of efficiency on 4th downs so far in his tenure, this was less of a one-off and more his philosophy.
Is it why the Chargers are 0-3? Not really. Is it why the Chargers lost to Buffalo? There are definitely bigger reasons. But Harbaugh cannot have his own struggles within game management margins when the team is bleeding as much as it is offensively. More should be expected from someone who's been a head coach for 20+ years.
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