Chargers had a look. Full gold form. Retro logos. Powder blue end zones with lettering from nostalgic times Dan Fouts And Don Coryell.
But their defense?
Dead as a disco when it mattered most.
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan TaylorThe NFL's leading rusher crushed the Chargers on Sunday with touchdowns of 23, 8 and 19 yards in the game. victory with a score of 38-24 at the Sofi Stadium.
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Sam Farmer breaks down what went wrong for the Chargers in their 38-24 loss to the Indianapolis Colts at Sophie Stadium on Sunday.
“Until we fix this, until we put out this fire…” Chargers All-Pro safety Derwin James Jr. said. “The last two or three games we haven’t played defense ourselves.”
The Chargers have lost three of their last four games and need quick-drying cement to patch the holes as Minnesota comes to town for a game Thursday night.
“Short Week” Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said. “We haven’t played our best at any stage, but now it’s time to regroup, retool and prepare.”
If Harbaugh has any answers, he didn't share them outside the locker room on Sunday. He stood in front of the media, grabbed the lectern and looked into the distance.
“It wasn't our best day, but do I have confidence in my team? Yes,” he said. “Do I believe they're fighting? Yes. And that's all you can really ask for as a coach.”
It was just another Sunday for Taylor, who entered Week 7 leading the league in yards and touchdowns and averaging 5.9 yards per carry against a Chargers defense that had been decent up to that point. This defense had allowed an average of 20.8 points in its previous six games.
That helped open up passing options for Colts quarterback Daniel Jones, who scored a pair of touchdowns and was back in contention for Comeback Player of the Year honors early in the season after his career with the New York Giants seemed to fizzle out.
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is hit by Chargers linebacker Odafe Oweh during the first half of the Chargers' 38-24 loss on Sunday.
(Eric Thayer/Los Angeles Times)
It was the Colts' second trip to Los Angeles in four weeks. lost to the Rams here in week four.
The Chargers, whose signature look was a throwback to the 1970s, sleepwalked in the first half and then came alive in the second.
Justin Herbert kept the home team in the game with three touchdowns after halftime, but found himself trying to dig a deep hole all day.
The Chargers actually outgained the Colts 445 yards to 401 and held the ball nine minutes longer, but Indianapolis was more efficient with the ball, better in the red zone and took advantage of its opportunities.
He saw two of his passes intercepted in the first half. The first was picked high in the air at the line of scrimmage and picked off by 314-pound defensive tackle Grover Stewart. The second pick came in the red zone when defensive back Nick Cross slid in front of a punter. Quentin Johnston in the end zone to intercept an eight-yard pass.
Chargers cornerback Justin Herbert slipped while scrambling during the second half Sunday.
(Eric Thayer/Los Angeles Times)
The Chargers, down 23-3 at halftime, came back into the game with touchdown passes to Johnston, Keenan Allen and Orond Gadsden II.
It's been a roller coaster of a season for the Chargers, who led the standings against the AFC West in the first three weeks, then lost back-to-back games to the Giants and Washington Commanders before bouncing back with a blowout win over Miami.
Denver beat the Giants 33-32 on Sunday, knocking the Chargers out of first place in the division. Meanwhile, Kansas City crushed Las Vegas 31-0 and may be building to a familiar momentum. It doesn't make things any easier for the Chargers.
Herbert was hit 15 times by the Colts — three times as many as the Chargers hit Jones — and was sacked three times. Even more punishment for a quarterback who has been under intense pressure all season.
“This is football,” he said. “That's part of the job. We threw the ball a lot today and that's going to happen. The offensive line does an incredible job of tackling and I can always get the ball out quicker.”
Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin breaks up a pass intended for Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey in the end zone in the fourth quarter Sunday.
(Eric Thayer/Los Angeles Times)
Against the Colts, the Chargers' problems started early. After the home team's first snap, Chargers left tackle Austin Deculus was face down on the turf. He was the team's fourth player to serve as Herbert's blindside defender.
Deculus was down with an ankle injury—he returned with a massive double in the second quarter—and the Chargers turned to the inexperienced Foster Sarell, who suddenly took over one of the most important positions on the field.
Just more madness on the offensive line for the Chargers, who have totaled six tackles so far. Their line was once considered a strength.
On Thursday, the Chargers retire their “varsity gold” uniforms and replace them with familiar navy blue uniforms. However, they need to make more than superficial changes.
James, for one, is glad the next game is happening so soon.
“Yes, sir,” he said with the slightest glimmer of optimism. “I can’t wait to get that taste out of my mouth.”
