The Marathon Continues.

[Soapy]

-----------------------------------------------
LAC (1-2) | 0 | 14 | 7 | 2 || 23
NYJ (3-0) | 9 | 10 | 10 | 20 || 49
-----------------------------------------------

Chargers Make It Competitive in the Second Quarter but Ultimately Get Blown Out on the Road Against Jets
When you take a team that finished with the second worst record in the league and add in a whole new coaching staff and front office while throwing in some injuries for good measure, you end up with the hapless Los Angeles Chargers.

The Chargers briefly showed life in the second quarter, scoring fourteen points, but the rest of the game was a thorough whooping as the New York Jets led from the first whistle to the last behind a strong performance from Sam Darnold in the team's 49-23 win.

Darnold threw four touchdowns while Hal Sams threw four interceptions, three of them coming in the second half and two of them in the fourth quarter. Both quarterbacks threw for over 300 yards in what was an air raid assault for the entire afternoon.

The Chargers secondary took a hit when Derwin James suffered a shoulder injury in the first quarter, just a drive removed from him recovering a fumble.
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Scoring Summary
Quarter 1
[NYJ] Team Safety (10:00)
[NYJ] Q. Kyle 31 Yd pass from S. Darnold (7:32)

Quarter 2
[LAC] C. Daniel 43 Yd pass from H. Sams (10:54)
[NYJ] C. Dicker, 52 Yd FG (4:55)
[NYJ] J. Medlock 10 Yd pass from H. Sams (1:44)
[NYJ] D. Schultz 14 Yd pass from S. Darnold (0:24)

Quarter 3
[NYJ] H. Galindo 67 Yd pass from S. Darnold (10:32)
[LAC] J. Jefferson 7 Yd pass from H. Sams (7:03)
[NYJ] C. Dicker, 38 Yd FG

Quarter 4
[NYJ] C. Dicker, 41 Yd FG (8:05)
[LAC] Team Safety (6:59)
[NYJ] C. Dicker, 22 Yd FG (3:50)
[NYJ] D. Schultz 7 Yd pass from S. Darnold (2:49)
[NYJ] D. Acy, returned fumble 81 Yds (1:39)
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Los Angeles Chargers
Hal Sams: 29 of 50, 357 yards, 3 touchdowns, 4 interceptions, 2 fumbles.
Duke Johnson Jr.: 15 carries, 51 yards.
Jaron Medlock: 8 receptions, 91 yards, touchdown.
Deion Daniel: 5 receptions, 101 yards, touchdown.
Justin Jefferson: 5 receptions, 69 yards, touchdown.
Hunter Henry: 5 receptions, 47 yards.
Nasir Adderley: 12 tackles, tackle for loss.
Joey Bosa: 9 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 3 sacks.
Shaquille Quarterman: 8 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, sack.
Rashard Keaton: 3 tackles, sack.

New York Jets
Sam Darnold: 25 of 43, 338 yards, 4 touchdowns.
Bruce Toon: 21 carries, 102 yards, 4 receptions, 46 yards.
Hugo Galindo: 9 receptions, 147 yards, touchdown.
Quentin Kyle: 5 receptions, 56 yards, touchdown.
Dalton Schultz: 4 receptions, 46 yards, 2 touchdowns.
Trent Hamilton: 11 tackles, 2 tackles for loss.
Tyrone Tryon: 8 tackles, interception.
Julian Blackmon: 5 tackles, tackle for loss, 2 interceptions.
Latwan Stallworth: 3 tackles, 2 sacks.
Daevonte Nicholas: 1 tackle, interception.

[Soapy]

Behind the Numbers: Breakdown of Chargers Week Three Loss vs. NY Jets
An afternoon full of injuries and bad play, the Los Angeles Chargers might want to just throw the film of their week three loss to the New York Jets in the garbage.

The secondary loss Derwin James with a shoulder tear and he could miss a considerable amount of time and the team is down yet another receiver in Deion Daniel and that's not even their worst position group from an injury standpoint with more injured running backs than healthy ones at this point.

Offensive Line Grades
LT Colton McKivitz: 75 snaps, 55 dropbacks, 20 rushes, 80.0 PFF grade.
LG Jacoby Harding: 75 snaps, 55 dropbacks, 20 rushes, 2 sacks allowed, 65.5 PFF grade.
C Travis Frederick: 75 snaps, 55 dropbacks, 20 rushes, 2 sacks allowed, 1 run stuff allowed, 50.5 PFF grade.
RG Nelson Holiday: 75 snaps, 55 dropbacks, 20 rushes, 80.0 PFF grade.
RT Tristan Wirfs: 75 snaps, 55 dropbacks, 20 rushes, 2 run stuffs allowed, 50.0 PFF grade.
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Grade Scale :: 80+ ELITE | 79-70 ABOVE AVERAGE | 69-50 AVERAGE | 49> BELOW AVERAGE

Defensive Grades
DE Christian Childs: 74 snaps, 2 tackles, 57.3 PFF grade.
DE Vincent Zellner: 67 snaps, 2 tackles, QB hurry, penalty, 57.9 PFF grade.
DT Cedric Darius: 16 snaps, no stats, 45.5 PFF grade.
NT Danny Shelton: 10 snaps, 2 tackles, tackle for loss, 98 PFF grade.
OLB Joey Bosa: 72 snaps, 9 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 2 QB hurries, 2 run stuffs, penalty, 74.4 PFF grade.
ILB Shaq Quarterman: 57 snaps, 8 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, sack, pass breakup, 5 run stuffs allowed, 1 catch allowed, 86.5 PFF grade.
ILB Layne Scott: 82 snaps, 7 tackles, tackle for loss, 2 pass breakup, 2 run stuffs, 2 catches allowed, TD catch allowed, 67.4 PFF grade.
OLB Rashard Keaton: 71 snaps, 3 tackles, sack, run stuff, penalty, 1 catch allowed, 55.1 PFF grade.
CB Malik Truman: 73 snaps, 6 tackles, 2 pass breakups, 3 catches allowed, 77.1 PFF grade.
CB Donovan Bigby: 80 snaps, 6 tackles, 2 pass breakups, 0 catches allowed, 84.7 PFF grade.
CB Samuel Fleming: 74 snaps, 6 tackles, 2 pass breakups, 4 catches allowed, 2 TD catches allowed, 58.9 PFF grade.
S Nasir Adderley: 75 snaps, 12 tackles, tackle for loss, pass breakup, 78.2 PFF grade.
S Derwin James Jr.: 21 snaps, 6 tackles, pass breakup, catch allowed, 74.3 PFF grade.
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Grade Scale :: 80+ ELITE | 79-70 ABOVE AVERAGE | 69-50 AVERAGE | 49> BELOW AVERAGE

Class of 2026 Report Card
DE Vincent Zellner: 67 snaps, 2 tackles, QB hurry, penalty, 57.9 PFF grade.
CB Samuel Fleming: 74 snaps, 6 tackles, 2 pass breakups, 4 catches allowed, 2 TD catches allowed, 58.9 PFF grade.
DT Cedric Darius: 16 snaps, no stats, 45.5 PFF grade.
LG Jacoby Harding: 75 snaps, 55 dropbacks, 20 rushes, 2 sacks allowed, 65.5 PFF grade.
QB Rashaud Wheaton: 10 snaps (at WR).
HB Tyron Floyd: Did not play.
WR Jaron Medlock: 59 snaps, 8 receptions, 91 yards, touchdown.

Injury Report
S Derwin James: 4 weeks (shoulder)
HB Wendell Williams: 2 weeks (back)
WR Deion Daniel: 6 weeks (chest)
HB Denard Kendricks: 8 weeks (back)
HB Tyron Floyd: 3 weeks (shoulder)
WR Amon-Ra St. Brown: 6 weeks (arm)
HB Felix Whittaker: 5 weeks (toe)

[Soapy]

Chargers Make Several Moves to Deal with Aftermath of Injuries in JetsGame
The Los Angeles Chargers left East Rutherford with their top safety Derwin James, their starting slot receiver Deion Daniel, their #3 and #4 running backs all ending up on the injury report.

James is expected to miss a month with a shoulder tear while Daniel's broken collarbone will likely sideline him for longer than that. Daniel was averaging 78 yards per game this season after having just one catch last season.

The team announced on Monday that they had placed running back Denard Kendricks, who was recently promoted to the active roster, on Injured Reserve. Wendell Williams, the other running back who was injured, is expected to be back in just a few games as he also ruptured his disk but it was a less severe injury.

The Chargers did sign WR Terron Conley from their practice squad and signed free agent running back Perry Pope. They released tight end Blake Jarwin to free up the roster spot.

As the injuries continue to pile up at running back and receiver, the pressure continues to rise on quarterback Hal Sams who dropped back fifty times last week. The Chargers now enter Sunday against the Buffalo Bills with just two healthy running backs in Duke Johnson and Pope. At receiver, only Justin Jefferson is a returning player from last year with the other three healthy receivers being journey man Braxton Berrios, sixth round pick Jaron Medlock and undrafted free agent Terron Conley. It got so bad last week that Rashaud Wheaton took snaps at receiver.

[Soapy]

Week 3 NFL Results
NYJ 49 - LAC 23 :: HOU 31 - PIT 14 :: PHI 28 - DET 13 :: IND 21 - CLE 9
CIN 28 - ATL 24 :: BUF 24 - MIA 20 :: ARI 34 - CHI 7 :: BAL 28 - TEN 14
SF 21 - LAR 14 :: NE 26 - GB 20 :: TB 24 - NO 17 :: SEA 38 - MIN 31
LV 10 - DEN 7 :: TOR 41 - CAR 38 :: KC 35 - JAX 24 :: DAL 31 - NYG 24
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Players of the Week
QB Sam Darnold (NYJ): 25 of 43, 338 yards, 4 touchdowns.
QB Teddy Bridgewater (GB): 24 of 37, 303 yards, 2 touchdowns.
S Xavier Ringer (KC): 14 tackles, intercepton.
LB Troy Franklin (LAR): 5 tackles, sack, interception.
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Notable Injuries
G David DeCastro (CHI): Season (knee)
LB Jayvon Harris (DEN): Season (tricep)
DE Dexter Lawrence II (NYG): Season (knee)
WR Davante Adams (GB): Season (Achilles)
OLB Khalid Kareem (NO): Season (Achilles)
DE Jadeveon Clowney (SEA): Season (pectoral)
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Recent Transactions
Browns re-sign OLB Mack Wilson (3yr, $45.7 million)
Chiefs re-sign WR Mecole Hardman (4yr, $60.1 million)
Cowboys re-sign WR Henry Ruggs III (4yr, $46.1 million)
49ers re-sign WR Deebo Samuel (4yr, $51.2 million)
Jets re-sign WR Terry McLaurin (4yr, $60.1 million)
Titans re-sign WR A.J. Brown (4yr, $74.1 million)

[Soapy]

Week 4 Preview: Buffalo Bills
Record: 3-0, 0-0 AFC East

Team Leaders
Passing: Josh Allen (77% completion, 839 yards, 7 TD, 2 INT, 113.6 rating)
Rushing: Eno Benjamin (202 yards, 3 TD, 3.9 ypc)
Receiving: Auden Tate (18 receptions, 223 yards, TD)
Defense: Ed Oliver (7 tackles, 2.5 sacks)

Team Rankings
Total Offense: 6th
Total Defense: 27th
Points Per Game: 6th
Turnover Differential: T-3rd

Injuries
DE Yannick Ngakoue
OLB Josh Cousins

The Chargers limp back to LA where they have a home stand against yet another AFC East opponent that is going to try to move the football through the air with their franchise quarterback, this time being the Buffalo Bills and Josh Allen.

To make matters worse, the Chargers are without the leader of the secondary in Derwin James and unlike the Jets or even the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Bills have an elite running back in Derrick Henry who is returning from an injury and should be fresh.

The only pathway for a victory for the Chargers is a similar gameplan in the New England game where they controlled the game with their defense forcing early three-and-outs and jumping out to an early lead behind a balanced offensive attack, forcing teams to give their receivers on the outside favorable one-on-one matchups.

[Soapy]

-----------------------------------------------
BUF (4-0) | 10 | 14 | 0 | 7 || 31
LAC (1-3) | 0 | 3 | 6 | 0 || 9
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Chargers Offensive Struggles Continues in Loss to Buffalo Bills
If you squint real hard and you tilt your head just at the right angle, the Los Angeles Chargers aren't that far from competing for a wild card spot. But then, at some point, reality hits.

Reality was the first half as the Buffalo Bills jumped out to a 24-3 lead before coasting to a 31-9 win over the Chargers on Sunday.

The Chargers failed to reach the end zone and turned the ball over three times which would prove to be the difference maker. They outgained the Bills in total offense, rushing offense and were within 20 yards in passing offense. When you factor in the return game, the Chargers had over 100 more yards of total offense but ultimately, the game wasn't close.

Hal Sams was intercepted twice and limited to just dink and dunk throws at the line of scrimmage, throwing 39 times for just 193 yards. His receivers did most of their damage after the catch with Jaron Medlock leading the way with eight catches for 95 yards and Justin Jefferson adding six catches for 84 yards.

The absence of Derwin James was felt as Tyrann Mathieu struggled in coverage, particularly on down the field throws and when covering tight ends.
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Scoring Summary
Quarter 1
[BUF] E. Blackburn, 46 Yd FG (3:39)
[BUF] D. Henry, 7 Yd run (0:46)

Quarter 2
[BUF] M. Milano, returned fumble 43 Yds (14:11)
[LAC] M. Badgley, 41 Yd FG (10:01)
[BUF] J. Magnifico 15 Yd pass from J. Allen

Quarter 3
[LAC] M. Badgley, 19 Yd FG (9:15)
[LAC] M. Badgley, 30 Yd FG (0:00)

Quarter 4
[BUF] W. Martinez 9 Yd pass from J. Allen (2:50)
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Los Angeles Chargers
Hal Sams: 19 of 39, 193 yards, 2 interceptions.
Perry Pope: 16 carries, 69 yards.
Duke Johnson Jr.: 11 carries, 35 yards, fumble.
Jaron Medlock: 8 receptions, 95 yards.
Justin Jefferson: 6 receptions, 84 yards.
Nasir Adderley: 10 tackles, sack.
Layne Scott: 9 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 0.5 sack.
Shaq Quarterman: 8 tackles, 3 tackles for loss.
Rashard Keaton: 6 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 0.5 sack.
Joey Bosa: 4 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2 sacks.
Malik Truman: 2 tackles, interception.

Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen: 16 of 29, 213 yards, 2 touchdowns, interception.
Derrick Henry: 19 carries, 66 yards, touchdown.
Auden Tate: 7 receptions, 143 yards.
Matt Milano: 11 tackles, tackle for loss.
Tremaine Edmunds: 10 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, interception.
Ed Oliver: 6 tackles, tackle for loss, 2 sacks.
Brian Griffin: 5 tackles, 2 sacks.
Trevon Diggs: 3 tackles, interception.

[djp73]

Where's Mahomes?

[Soapy]

Where's Mahomes?

what?

[djp73]

Players of the Week
QB Sam Darnold (KC): 25 of 43, 338 yards, 4 touchdowns.

[Soapy]

Behind the Numbers: Breakdown of Chargers Week Four Loss vs. Buffalo Bills
Despite the 33-9 score, it can be argued that the Los Angeles Chargers might have played their second best game of the season on Sunday in their loss to the Buffalo Bills.

They left the game relatively clean from an injury standpoint and outgained the Bills by limiting their passing game and getting after Josh Allen while also holding Derrick Henry to just 3.5 yards per carry.

Offensive Line Grades
LT Colton McKivitz: 71 snaps, 43 dropbacks, 28 rushes, 80.0 PFF grade.
LG Darryl Williams: 71 snaps, 43 dropbacks, 28 rushes, 2 sacks allowed, 1 run stuff allowed, 50.7 PFF grade.
C Travis Frederick: 71 snaps, 43 dropbacks, 28 rushes, 3 sacks allowed, 1 run stuff allowed, 41.4 PFF grade.
RG Nelson Holiday: 71 snaps, 43 dropbacks, 28 rushes, 2 sacks allowed, 1 penalty, 57.2 PFF grade.
RT Tristan Wirfs: 71 snaps, 43 dropbacks, 28 rushes, 1 run stuff allowed, 69.3 PFF grade.
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Grade Scale :: 80+ ELITE | 79-70 ABOVE AVERAGE | 69-50 AVERAGE | 49> BELOW AVERAGE

Defensive Grades
DE Christian Childs: 60 snaps, 2 tackles, tackle for loss, sack, run stuff, 69.7 PFF grade.
DE Vincent Zellner: 58 snaps, 2 tackles, 61.4 PFF grade.
DT Cedric Darius: 18 snaps, 1 tackle, tackle for loss, run stuff, 85.8 PFF grade.
NT Danny Shelton: 23 snaps, tackle, 2 run stuffs.
OLB Joey Bosa: 61 snaps, 4 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 3 QB hurries, 2 run stuffs.
ILB Shaq Quarterman: 40 snaps, 8 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 3 run stuffs, 93.2 PFF grade.
ILB Layne Scott: 64 snaps, 9 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 0.5 sack, QB hurry, 2 run stuffs, 79.0 PFF grade.
OLB Rashard Keaton: 53 snaps, 6 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 0.5 sack, QB hurry, 3 run stuffs, 72.0 PFF grade.
CB Malik Truman: 61 snaps, 2 tackles, interception, 1 catch allowed, 82.6 PFF grade.
CB Donovan Bigby: 61 snaps, 4 tackles, 1 catch allowed, 74.1 PFF grade.
CB Samuel Fleming: 55 snaps, 6 tackles, tackle for loss, 2 pass breakups, 4 catches allowed, 66.5 PFF grade.
S Nasir Adderley: 60 snaps, 10 tackles, sack, pass breakup, run stuff, 1 catch allowed, 76.1 PFF grade.
S Tyrann Mathieu: 52 snaps, 1 tackle, 3 catches allowed, TD catch allowed.
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Grade Scale :: 80+ ELITE | 79-70 ABOVE AVERAGE | 69-50 AVERAGE | 49> BELOW AVERAGE

Class of 2026 Report Card
DE Vincent Zellner: 58 snaps, 2 tackles, 61.4 PFF grade.
CB Samuel Fleming: 55 snaps, 6 tackles, tackle for loss, 2 pass breakups, 4 catches allowed, 66.5 PFF grade.
DT Cedric Darius: 18 snaps, 1 tackle, tackle for loss, run stuff, 85.8 PFF grade.
LG Jacoby Harding: Did not play.
QB Rashaud Wheaton: 5 snaps (at WR).
HB Tyron Floyd: Did not play.
WR Jaron Medlock: 50 snaps, 8 receptions, 95 yards.

Injury Report
WR Braxton Berrios: 8 weeks (toe)
S Derwin James: 3 weeks (shoulder)
HB Wendell Williams: Doubtful (back)
WR Deion Daniel: 5 weeks (chest)
HB Denard Kendricks: 7 weeks (back)
HB Tyron Floyd: 2 weeks (shoulder)
WR Amon-Ra St. Brown: 5 weeks (arm)
HB Felix Whittaker: 4 weeks (toe)