The Los Angeles Chargers had a fantastic start to the 2025 season, earning a trio of divisional victories with strong performances against the Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, and Denver Broncos.
In those three wins, the Bolts recorded just 15 combined penalties. And had they been able to maintain that average of 5.0 per game over the last two weeks, they'd be the second-least penalized team in the NFL right now behind only the Pittsburgh Steelers (4.8).
But that obviously didn't happen. In their Week 4 loss to the previously winless New York Giants, the Chargers nearly matched their total from the first three games, as they were flagged 14 times for 107 yards. And during their 27-10 defeat to the Washington Commanders this past Sunday, they were hit with 10 more. As such, the 24 penalties are the most ever in a two-game span for a team coached by Jim Harbaugh at the professional level.
That's obviously not the kind of history Harbaugh wants to be making, and he's since sent a clear message to his team that things need to change, saying, "I'd like it not to become a habit...Definitely don't want to have three in a row. We need to get the bleeding stopped. I know we're capable of doing that."
Penalties wiped out several big plays in the Chargers' loss to the Commanders
Sticking solely to this past week's loss to Washington, one has to wonder if things would have gone differently had penalties not wiped out several big plays.
With the Chargers holding a 10-7 lead late in the first half, the Los Angeles defense forced the Commanders to punt for the third time, a kick which Ladd McConkey returned 57 yards for a touchdown, hurdling multiple defenders on his way to the end zone in what was easily one of the most exciting plays of the season.
But it was all for nothing, as Chargers linebacker Marlowe Wax was flagged for roughing the kicker after running into Washington punter Tress Way. So, instead of falling behind 17-7, the Commanders used their second chance to get themselves into position for a Matt Gay field goal, thus tying the game at 10-10 heading into the break.
With momentum in their favor, the Commanders then opened the second half with a seven-play, 69-yard drive that resulted in a five-yard touchdown run from Jacory Croskey-Merritt, with Gay's successful extra-point attempt giving them a 17-10 advantage.
On the ensuing possession, Justin Herbert took a sack for a nine-yard loss on the opening play of the drive, but on the next play, he connected with Quentin Johnston for a 23-yard gain, only to have it nullified by a holding penalty on Trey Pipkins III.
On the very next play, facing 2nd-and-28, Herbert then found Keenan Allen for a 31-yard pickup, which would have given the Chargers a first down and put them near midfield. But once again, Pipkins was flagged, this time for illegal formation.
The Bolts ultimately ended up punting, which led to another Washington field goal, and that was that. So, yeah, Harbaugh is unquestionably spot-on about his team needing to "get the bleeding stopped" as far as flags are concerned.
The Chargers will look to clean up their act and get back on the winning track this Sunday against the Miami Dolphins.