The Chargers are coming off a shootout loss to the Lions.
Here is what the national media thinks of the Bolts ahead of Week 11:
USA Today: 15 (Previous: 14)
“In QB Justin Herbert’s three-plus seasons, the Bolts have lost 13 games by three or fewer points – the most in the NFL since 2020. Sorry, but not blaming him for this.”
Touchdown Wire: 15 (Previous: 14)
“That was a pretty typical Chargers’ loss. Justin Herbert and Keenan Allen play like Batman and Robin, but what good is it when The Joker is your head coach and defensive play-caller?”
NFL: 18 (Previous: 16)
“Not sure if the lose-two, win-two pace will keep up all season, but the Chargers followed their most recent pair of victories with a defensive nightmare that landed them back in the loss column, so some things are repeating. Even a brilliant Justin Herbert performance wasn’t enough against the Lions. The defensive showing was even worse than what the Bolts displayed during the pounding Miami laid on them in Week 1 at home. Speaking of, the Chargers are suddenly 2-3 in Inglewood, with the two victories coming against the Bears and Raiders. The four remaining road games are winnable. The four home games all could be tough ones, including a prime-time matchup against the Ravens and the regular-season finale against the Chiefs. The 4-5 Chargers have five teams to pass in the playoff standings, and they’re only 2-3 so far vs. AFC foes. They’re not dead yet, but they’ve got to get going very soon.”
CBS Sports: 19 (Previous: 15)
“The defense is bad right now, which shouldn’t be the case with the supposed stars on that side of the ball and a defensive-minded head coach. They are in a hole now in the playoff chase.”
ESPN: 16 (Previous: 14)
Biggest remaining game: Week 11 at Green Bay
“The Chargers dropped to 4-5 after Sunday’s loss to the Lions, moving them to third place in the AFC West and the 12th seed in the conference. A loss to the struggling Packers in Week 11 would be a significant hit to the Chargers’ playoff chances, especially with a game against the Ravens, the AFC’s No. 2 seed, in Week 12.”
Yahoo Sports: 16 (Previous: 13)
“The Chargers have given up the second-most yards in the NFL, the most passing yards and the third-most net yards per pass attempt, via Pro Football Reference. This is not the defense the Chargers signed up for when they hired Brandon Staley, who was previously the Rams’ defensive coordinator. If the defense doesn’t turn around, that’s what will cost Staley his head coaching job.”
The Athletic: 17 (Previous: 16)
Coach status: Shaky
“Brandon Staley went from being the defensive coordinator at John Carroll University, a 3,600-student private college in Ohio to an NFL head coach in five years, and it’s possible that the ascent was too fast. Staley’s background is on defense, but the Chargers are 24th in points allowed (23.9 ppg) after Sunday, which dropped Staley to 23-20 as a head coach. Justin Herbert had a 114.9 passer rating and the Chargers scored touchdowns on their final five possessions against Detroit, and they still lost.”
