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- The Chargers fell to 0-6 for the first time since 2000, losing 22-6 to the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs and extending their skid to nine straight games.
- When asked if offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel would continue calling plays, coach Jim Harbaugh said the team would review “everything” moving forward.
- The Chargers managed just 259 total yards and no touchdowns, while a concussion sidelined receiver Ladd McConkey for most of the game.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Chargers are in need of a major course correction.
A week after coach Jim Harbaugh said the team was “staying the course” in its effort to work through its numerous problems, the Chargers produced their lowest scoring output of the season in a 22-6 loss to the AFC West-leading Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday to remain winless.
The Chargers are 0-6 to start a season for the first time since 2000, when they finished 1-15. They’ve also lost nine straight games since last season.
“I truly believe and was confident that we would win this game,” Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters. “We have to address everything, guys, and especially offensively.
“We’re not scoring enough points. That’s the bottom line.”
The Chargers’ offense, already weakened by a series of injuries to its offensive line and receiving corps, struggled mightily, recording their second-lowest output of the season at 259 total yards. They also lost wide receiver Ladd McConkey, who was ruled out midway through the second quarter with a concussion. He had just one catch in his return from a foot injury that kept him out last week against Denver.
Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel says he approaches every game as if he were coaching for his job, but he knows the pressure is on amid an 0-5 start.
Additionally, it marked the first time the Chargers failed to score a touchdown this season, likely putting first-year offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel’s job in further jeopardy. They have just five passing touchdowns through six games.
Harbaugh did not give a conclusive answer when asked directly if McDaniel would continue calling plays, saying the team would “look at everything.”
“There’s nothing we can do to look back and change what’s happened; all we can do is move forward and do our best and it’s not good enough,” quarterback Justin Herbert said. “As an offense, we have to score points and hold up our end of the bargain with the defense and we haven’t done that.”
Chiefs quarterback and two-time MVP Patrick Mahomes was in exceptional form, completing 23 of his 30 passes for 272 yards. He did not score a touchdown, either, opting to hand off to running back Kenneth Walker for two scores. Walker finished with 128 yards in 19 carries.
Herbert led the Chargers in rushing with 26 yards and threw for 204 yards on 22-for-37 passing. Quentin Johnston had a team-high 57 receiving yards — all from one catch.
“I see the effort, I see the work being put in in the meetings, on the practice field, to get that to transfer to the field is what’s necessary,” Harbaugh said. “I feel bad our players, our team, our coaches, our fans. And it needs to be addressed.”
The Chiefs (5-0) had a chaotic first drive that included two offensive penalties, but took a 3-0 lead with a 44-yard field goal by Harrison Butker. After a Chargers punt, the Chiefs struck again with a 33-yard scoring run up the middle by Walker. The Chargers caught a small break with Butker missing the extra point, but they never got back to within a possession of the Chiefs.
The Chargers did get on the board later in the first quarter with a 23-yard field goal by Cameron Dicker off an 11-play, 60-yard drive. The Chargers forced a punt on the Chiefs’ next possession and traded interceptions in the second quarter before giving up an 80-yard drive that ended with a two-yard run by Walker.
After another punt, the Chargers left the Chiefs with the ball and 25 seconds left in the half. Mahomes completed two more passes and Butker nailed a 50-yard field goal to push the lead to 19-3.
Starting from their own 45-yard line, the Chargers began the second half with their most promising drive of the game. Herbert completed passes to KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Johnston and Kimani Vidal to take them down to Kansas City’s one-yard line, but an offensive hold and two incomplete passes meant they had to settle for another field goal.
The Chargers’ defense stopped Kansas City at the goal line in the third quarter, forcing a turnover on downs at the one-yard line before Caleb Murphy recovered a fumble on a Chiefs punt return. But the Chargers went nowhere on the ensuing possession.
Butker kicked a 30-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter. The Chargers then had one final chance to score, driving to the Kansas City eight-yard line, but Herbert could not find a receiver on back-to-back throws and was sacked twice, leading to a turnover on downs.
In addition to McConkey’s injury, cornerback Deane Leonard left in the third quarter with a concussion.
The Chargers head into their bye week before facing the Rams at SoFi Stadium on Nov. 1.
