Tag: chargers

Chargers fire OC Greg Roman, OL coach Mike Devlin

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Days after being bounced from postseason play, the Los Angeles Chargers fired offensive coordinator Greg Roman and offensive line coach Mike Devlin on Tuesday.

Roman, 53, was on his third stint with Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh, having served as an associate head coach under Harbaugh at Stanford (2009-10) and as the San Francisco’s OC when Harbaugh coached the 49ers (2011-14).

However, after the Chargers scored just three points in a wild-card loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday, Harbaugh was asked if Roman was the right play-caller for this team and said, “We’re gonna look at that and everything … I don’t have that answer right now.”

Last season also ended in a wild-card loss with little offensive output, as the Chargers scored just one touchdown in a 32-12 loss to the Houston Texans.

Roman’s time in San Francisco included a Super Bowl appearance in the 2012 season, a loss to Harbaugh’s brother John and the Baltimore Ravens.

Following two seasons as OC for the Buffalo Bills (2015-16), Roman joined John Harbaugh’s Ravens staff in 2017 and was named OC in 2019. Roman, who helped quarterback Lamar Jackson win his first NFL MVP award, remained with Baltimore through the 2022 season.

Roman began his NFL coaching career with the Carolina Panthers (1995-2001) and also worked with the Houston Texans’ staff (2002-05).

Devlin, 56, was in his second season as the offensive line coach, having served in various coaching positions for the New York Jets, Texans and Ravens since 2006.

–Field Level Media

Pats ride smothering defense to win over Chargers in wild-card round

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Drake Maye completed 17 of 29 passes for 268 yards and a touchdown and also rushed for a team-high 66 yards to lead the New England Patriots to a 16-3 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers in an AFC wild-card game played Sunday night in Foxborough, Mass.

Rookie kicker Andy Borregales kicked three field goals for the Patriots, who limited the Chargers to 207 yards of offense. New England sacked Los Angeles quarterback Justin Herbert six times. Linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson and defensive end Milton Williams each collected two sacks.

“We talked to them about being willing to spill some blood out there, and that the big dogs come out in January,” Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said after the game, praising his defense. “I think (Williams) took that to heart in the way he played the game and the way he finished the game.”

New England running back Rhamondre Stevenson caught three passes for 75 yards and rushed for 53 yards on 10 carries. Tight end Hunter Henry scored the game’s only touchdown on a 28-yard catch in the fourth quarter.

Herbert completed 19 of 31 passes for 159 yards. He also gained 57 of his team’s 87 rushing yards.

The Patriots (15-3) had 381 yards of total offense. The Chargers (11-7) were 1-of-10 on third-down conversions.

“We weren’t good enough, didn’t get enough points,” Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said. “Left our defense out on the field too much in terms of time of possession. Just wasn’t our night.”

Second-seeded New England will host the winner of Monday night’s game between fourth-seeded Pittsburgh (10-7) and fifth-seeded Houston (12-5) next Sunday in the divisional round.

“Proud of this team,” Maye said. “We never doubted it. It wasn’t pretty, that’s for sure, but this defense was so fun to watch. Congrats to them. They won the game for us.

“I didn’t throw it well tonight,” the quarterback continued. “Gotta be better. We did what we had to do, and that’s what it takes in the playoffs. Just proud of this team. That was fun. That was fun to get one at home and look forward to being back here next week.”

After a scoreless first quarter, Borregales opened the scoring by kicking a 23-yard field goal with 13:32 remaining in the first half.

The seventh-seeded Chargers tied the game on Cameron Dicker’s 21-yard field goal with 6:52 left in the second quarter, but Borregales gave New England a 6-3 halftime lead by making a 35-yard field goal with 2 seconds left in the first half.

New England had a 9-3 lead after Borregales kicked his third field goal. This one was good from 39 yards with 1:34 left in the third quarter. It was still 9-3 at the end of the third.

The Patriots stretched their lead to 16-3 on Henry’s TD reception and the Borregales PAT with 9:45 to play.

–Field Level Media

Dueling pass rushes key as Patriots host Chargers in wild-card round

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Since Sunday night’s AFC wild-card matchup in Foxborough, Mass., between the New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Chargers will feature two of the top quarterbacks in the NFL, one of the key questions entering the matchup is this: Which team’s pass rush will be able to apply the most pressure?

Los Angeles quarterback Justin Herbert was sacked 54 times in 16 games, and New England’s Drake Maye was sacked 47 times in 17 games. Those were the third- and fourth-most sacks against a quarterback during the regular season.

The seventh-seeded Chargers (11-6) have used 32 combinations on their injury-ravaged offensive line this season — more than any other team — and played much of the season without starting tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater, both of whom are on injured reserve.

In addition, backup left tackle Jamaree Salyer is dealing with a hamstring injury, but did practice Wednesday.

Los Angeles has allowed 60 sacks over its season when factoring in the six backup Trey Lance took last week while Herbert sat.

Second-seeded New England (14-3) is one of five teams that tied for 22nd in the NFL in sacks with 35. The team’s sack leaders are linebacker Harold Landry III (8.5) and linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson (7.5). Landry, who missed the last two games with a knee injury, returned to practice Wednesday in a limited practice.

“I don’t think that’s ever something you can tell in practice,” New England coach Mike Vrabel said when asked about his team’s pass rush. “You gotta go out there and win in live action, and not only win, you have to be able to get the guy on the ground. Justin’s just a great player – strength, toughness. He can avoid and scramble for a lot of yards. So again, I think that’ll have to be determined Sunday night.”

Maye, an MVP candidate, led the league with a 72.0 completion percentage this season, but will be facing a Chargers defense that tied for 10th in the league with 45 sacks.

Linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu led the team with 13 sacks, and linebacker Odafe Oweh collected 7.5 sacks in 12 games after being acquired in an October trade with the Ravens.

New England has started two rookies – guard Jared Wilson and tackle Will Campbell – on the left side of the line for most of the season. The Patriots have surrendered 48 sacks.

Los Angeles coach Jim Harbaugh said he has a lot of confidence in his team’s defense.

“It starts with the players, then it’s (defensive coordinator Jesse Minter’s) ability and our defensive coaches’ ability to put them in spots to make plays, to be most effective,” Harbaugh said. “The understanding of the defense (is what gives me confidence). I know there will be some wrinkles as well.”

Los Angeles finished the regular season 12th in total offense (333.8), 20th in points per game (21.6), fifth in total defense (285.2) and ninth in points allowed per game (20.0).

New England was third in total offense (379.4), second in points per game (28.8), eighth in total defense (295.2) and fourth in points allowed per game (18.8).

“I’m happy, I’m excited, but also, we’re not here just to be here,” Vrabel said. “We have to be able to host games and compete for championships. There’s not going to be any consolation prize for anybody. We understand what we have to do.”

–Field Level Media

Broncos beat resting Chargers to earn 14th win, AFC’s top seed

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Ja’Quan McMillian returned an interception 45 yards for the only touchdown of the day, Wil Lutz kicked four field goals and the host Denver Broncos secured the No. 1 seed in the AFC with a grinding 19-3 win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.

It is the first time in 10 years that Denver (14-3) has clinched home-field advantage in the AFC. The Broncos went on to win Super Bowl 50 that season in Santa Clara, Calif., which is the site of this year’s game.

Bo Nix finished 14-for-23 passing for 141 yards and ran for a season-high 49 yards for Denver, and the defense sacked Trey Lance four times to finish with 68 for the season, a franchise record.

Los Angeles (11-6) rested several players, including quarterback Justin Herbert and running back Omarion Hampton. The Chargers are the seventh seed and will travel to No. 2 New England next weekend for the first round of the playoffs.

Lance, making his sixth NFL start for his third team, was 20-for-44 passing for 136 yards, rushed for 69 yards, threw one interception and lost a fumble. Los Angeles wide receiver Keenan Allen finished with seven receptions for 36 yards to reach two performance bonuses worth $1 million.

Denver drove 81 yards on 15 plays on its first possession of the day but settled for Lutz’s 24-yard field goal.

On the Chargers’ ensuing possession, McMillian picked off Lance and took it down the left sideline and into the end zone for a 10-0 Denver lead.

Late in the first half, Los Angeles drove 51 yards for Cameron Dicker’s 30-yard field goal that made it 10-3 at halftime.

The Broncos drove to the Chargers’ 8 early in the third quarter but had to settle for a 26-yard field goal. Then, early in the fourth quarter, Nik Bonitto sacked Lance and jarred the ball loose, and it was recovered by Sai’vion Jones.

Denver couldn’t move the ball and had to settle for a 41-yard field goal with 11:45 left. Los Angeles couldn’t convert on a fourth down and Lutz’s fourth field goal — from 23 yards out with 2:23 left — capped the scoring.

–Field Level Media

Division race settled but plenty of stakes remain in Broncos-Chargers clash

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Week 18 matchup between the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers was supposed to be a battle for the AFC West title.

But after the Chargers stumbled last week, Sunday’s game is only about playoff positioning.

The Broncos clinched the division when Los Angeles lost at home to Houston last Saturday, and now the Chargers head to Denver as a wild-card team trying to secure the highest seed for the playoffs. They could be anywhere between the fifth and seventh seed, but would fall no further than sixth with a win.

The Broncos would secure the AFC No. 1 seed, a first-round bye and homefield advantage for the postseason with a win.

Los Angeles (11-5) announced early in the week that quarterback Justin Herbert won’t play Sunday, improving the Broncos’ chances of getting the top seed. Herbert, who has been playing through a fractured left hand since Week 13, has thrown for 3,727 yards, 26 touchdowns and 13 interceptions and has a career-high 498 rushing yards.

Denver (13-3) will face Trey Lance, who is 7-for-13 passing for 90 yards in three games this season. He hasn’t played since a Nov. 30 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Lance, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, has never started against the Broncos, who lead the NFL in sacks.

Chargers left tackle Jamaree Salyer (hamstring), who sat out the loss to the Texans, is unlikely to play Sunday.

“He’s doing good. He’s trending in a really good direction, and it’s gotten better every week, every day,” head coach Jim Harbaugh said. “So it doesn’t look like he’ll be able to go this week, but possibly next.”

Cornerback Benjamin St-Juste (shoulder), safety R.J. Mickens (shoulder) and running back Kimani Vidal (neck) practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday. Running back Omarion Hampton (ankle) missed the practice.

Winning the division was the first of three goals head coach Sean Payton set for Denver, and the second can be accomplished by beating Los Angeles on Sunday. The third is winning Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, Calif.

Payton said Herbert’s absence does not change the Broncos’ approach to the game.

“This is a playoff game,” Payton said after Wednesday’s practice. “I just finished telling our team, ‘Now we have to focus on, what are the strengths of Trey (Lance)?’”

Denver is also dealing with injuries, most notable to linebacker Dre Greenlaw (hamstring), who missed last week’s win vs. Kansas City and didn’t practice Wednesday. However, tight end Nate Adkins (knee) and wide receiver Pat Bryant (concussion), neither of whom played in the Christmas win at the Chiefs, practiced in a limited capacity, as did defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers (hip).

The Broncos have been without running back J.K. Dobbins for the past six games after he had season-ending foot surgery, and rookie RJ Harvey has become the lead back. He has 512 yards rushing on 131 carries and 46 receptions for 351 yards with 12 total touchdowns.

Denver quarterback Bo Nix has nearly matched Herbert’s stats for the year. He has 3,790 yards passing with 25 touchdowns and 11 interceptions and has rushed for 307 yards and five more scores. Nix has spread the ball around but his top receiver is Courtland Sutton, who has 73 receptions for 1,012 yards and seven touchdowns. It is the second straight season and third time in his eight-year career he has surpassed 1,000 receiving yards.

–Field Level Media

Justin Herbert to sit, Trey Lance to start for Chargers in Week 18

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With Los Angeles locked into a wild-card spot, Trey Lance will start at quarterback in the Chargers’ regular-season finale at the Denver Broncos and Justin Herbert will not dress.

Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh announced that decision Monday, saying that DJ Uiagalelei will be elevated from the practice squad to serve as Lance’s backup.

“The guys that have the most bruises and need the most healing, we’ll pull them back. Justin Herbert would be one,” Harbaugh said. “We’ll see how the rest of the week goes with who all they are. They’ll be some situations where some starters are backups.”

The Broncos (13-3) clinched the AFC West this past week, going two games up on the Chargers (11-5) with one week to go. The Chargers fell to the Houston Texans 20-16 on Saturday.

Los Angeles can wind up as the fifth, sixth or seventh seed in the AFC in some combination with the Buffalo Bills and either the Texans or Jacksonville Jaguars.

“Winning and being healthy, those are our two objectives,” Harbaugh said. “Guys that we think, the doctors, trainers, myself, the organization, that have the most bruises and need that time the most, we’ve decided that’s the direction we’re going.”

Herbert has started all 16 games for the Chargers so far this season, including after he suffered a fracture in his left (non-throwing) hand that required surgery Dec. 1.

Herbert, 27, was named to his second Pro Bowl in his sixth NFL season. He finishes the regular season with 3,727 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, 13 interceptions and a 66.4 completion percentage. He added a career-high 498 rushing yards and two scores on the ground.

He also took more sacks this year (54) than in any previous season in the league.

Lance, 25, has gotten into three games in relief of Herbert this year and went 7 of 13 for 90 yards. The third overall pick of the 2021 draft by San Francisco, his 49ers tenure was cut short after eight games (2021-22) due to an ankle injury and the emergence of Brock Purdy at quarterback. He served as a reserve QB for the Dallas Cowboys in 2023-24.

–Field Level Media

Texans clinch playoff berth by beating Chargers for 8th straight win

Posted on | by Field Level Media

C.J. Stroud threw two long touchdown passes and the Houston Texans clinched a playoff berth with a 20-16 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday afternoon at Inglewood, Calif.

Stroud connected with Jayden Higgins on a 75-yard touchdown pass and Jaylin Noel on a 43-yard scoring pass in the first six minutes as Houston (11-5) came out strong to lay the groundwork for its eighth straight win. Derek Barnett had two of the Texans’ five sacks.

Stroud completed 16 of 28 passes for 244 yards and two interceptions for the Texans, who remain alive in the AFC South but are assured of at least a wild-card berth. The Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4) lead the division.

Justin Herbert completed 21 of 32 passes for 236 yards, one touchdown and one interception for the Chargers (11-5), who were eliminated from the AFC West race and will begin the playoffs on the road. The loss allowed the Denver Broncos (13-3) to clinch the division heading into their matchup with Los Angeles next week.

Omarion Hampton rushed for a touchdown and Oronde Gadsden II caught one for Los Angeles.

The Chargers were down 14 when they began their comeback attempt with a 1-yard touchdown pass from Herbert to Gadsden with 13 seconds left in the third quarter.

Ka’imi Fairbairn booted a 44-yard field goal to give the Texans a 20-10 advantage with 6:29 remaining.

Los Angeles pulled within four when Hampton scored from the 5 with 3:37 remaining. But Cameron Dicker was wide left on the extra point to prevent the Chargers from making it a field-goal game.

Houston then got two first downs while running out the clock.

Stroud’s two long early touchdown passes caught the Los Angeles defense napping.

On the game’s third offensive play, Higgins sped past the Chargers’ secondary and hauled in Stroud’s throw at the Los Angeles 35 and finished off the 75-yard scoring pass.

Stroud struck again on Houston’s next possession, connecting with Noel on a 43-yard play to make it 14-0 with 9:17 left in the first quarter.

Los Angeles finally got on the board when Dicker booted a 27-yard field goal with 6:10 left in the half.

The highly-accurate Dicker could have trimmed the deficit by three more points but he missed wide to the right from 32 yards with 10 seconds remaining in the half. It marked the first time he missed from under 40 yards during four NFL seasons.

Houston’s lead increased to 17-3 on Fairbairn’s 41-yard field goal with 6:04 left in the third quarter.

–Field Level Media

Chargers leading rusher Kimani Vidal inactive vs. Texans

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Los Angeles Chargers leading rusher Kimani Vidal will miss Saturday’s game against the visiting Houston Texans due to a neck injury.

Vidal was placed on the team’s list of inactives prior to the contest. The running back was listed as questionable to play on Thursday.

Vidal missed two practices during the week before being a limited participant on Thursday.

Vidal has rushed for 631 yards and three touchdowns in 12 games this season, his second in the NFL.

Rookie Omarion Hampton (516 yards) figures to receive most of the workload against Houston’s top-ranked defense. Hassan Haskins and Jaret Patterson are also available.

Guard Mekhi Becton (knee) is good to go. He also was listed as questionable on Thursday.

Joining Vidal on the inactive list are receiver Derius Davis (ankle), tight end Tyler Conklin, tackle Jamaree Salyer (hamstring), linebacker Kyle Kennard, cornerback Benjamin St-Juste (shoulder) and safety RJ Mickens (shoulder).

Houston left tackle Aireontae Ersery is inactive after undergoing thumb surgery earlier this week. He was listed as questionable on Thursday. Right tackle Trent Brown (ankle/knee) was ruled out earlier in the week.

Also inactive for the Texans are quarterback Graham Mertz, receiver Braxton Berrios, defensive end Solomon Byrd, linebacker Jamal Hill (calf/wrist) and cornerback Alijah Huzzie.

Houston can clinch an AFC playoff spot with a victory. If the Chargers lose, the Denver Broncos clinch the AFC West.

–Field Level Media

Can Justin Herbert exorcize playoff demons when Chargers host Texans?

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Justin Herbert threw just three interceptions during the 2024 regular season before topping that total in a miserable playoff performance against the Houston Texans.

Herbert gets another opportunity against Houston in a crucial clash Saturday when the Chargers battle the Texans in Inglewood, Calif.

The sixth-year pro was picked off four times when Houston walloped the visiting Chargers 32-12 in the AFC wild-card round last season.

Herbert has never thrown more than two interceptions in any of his other NFL appearances and admits he’s still haunted by the disastrous performance that ended Los Angeles’ season.

“It was one of those things that you continue to think about,” Herbert said Tuesday. “No one felt worse than I did after that game.

“And I think it’s important to continue to move forward and realize that it’s what happened. It would be crazy of me to deny the truth of what happened and to live in this reality where if I tried to block it out, I don’t think that’s doing any good.”

Herbert was 14 of 32 for an uncharacteristic 43.8% completion rate that also rates as a career worst.

Houston star cornerback Derek Stingley had two of the interceptions, while Kamari Lassiter and since-departed Eric Murray had the others. Murray returned his 38 yards for a touchdown.

Herbert acknowledged his performance will have to be much improved against a Houston defense that rates as the best in the NFL. The Texans lead the NFL in scoring defense (16.6 points per game) and total defense (272.3 yards per game) and rank second with a plus-15 takeaway margin.

“I think that’s going to be really important — is just ball security in this game,” Herbert said. “Just understanding that we got to do those three things: ball security, scoring points in the red zone and converting on third down.”

Los Angeles (11-4) has won four straight games and seven of eight and clinched a playoff spot when the Indianapolis Colts lost to the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night.

The Chargers are one game behind Denver in the AFC West and will win the division with two victories. They face the Broncos next week in Denver and hold the tiebreaker after winning the first matchup in September.

The Texans (10-5) have won seven straight games and will clinch a playoff berth by beating the Chargers. They are one game behind Jacksonville in the AFC South.

Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud is sure the Chargers are going to be angry.

“I bet they’re motivated to knock us off just because what happened last year,” Stroud said Tuesday. “So, we got to be motivated.”

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans termed the game as a big one for both teams, but even more so for his squad.

“For our team and where we are at this point of the season, we’ve earned the right to play a game that’s meaningful,” Ryans said. “A really huge game for us that if we win, we get in.

“They continue to play with the passion, the energy, what we needed to play with. They finish games the right way to put themselves in a position right here to have a win-and-get-in moment. I’m excited to see our guys go out and play this game.”

Houston pass rushers Danielle Hunter (13 sacks) and Will Anderson Jr. (11.5) are enjoying big seasons. In the secondary, Stingley, Lassiter, Jalen Pitre and Calen Bullock each have four interceptions.

The Chargers will be without run-stopping linebacker Denzel Perryman, who was suspended two games due to repeated violations of playing rules that protect the health and safety of players.

Five Chargers missed practice the past two days — receiver Derius Davis (ankle), safety RJ Mickens (shoulder), cornerback Benjamin St-Juste (shoulder), tackle Jamaree Salyer (hamstring) and running back Kimani Vidal (neck).

Four Texans have yet to practice this week — defensive end Denico Autry (knee), linebacker Jake Hansen (chest) and tackles Trent Brown (ankle/knee) and Aireontae Ersery (thumb surgery).

–Field Level Media

Chargers LB Denzel Perryman loses appeal of 2-game suspension

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Linebacker Denzel Perryman will miss the Los Angeles Chargers’ last two regular-season games after his appeal of a league-issued suspension was denied on Tuesday.

The punishment resulted from “repeated violations of playing rules intended to protect the health and safety of players,” according to the NFL.

Hearing officer Jordy Nelson, a former NFL wide receiver, turned down Perryman’s appeal. Nelson was jointly appointed by the league and the players association.

Among the plays the NFL cited in handing down the suspension was a hit to the helmet of Ryan Flournoy after the Cowboys receiver was down following a catch on Sunday. The play drew a 15-yard penalty in a game Los Angeles won 34-17.

Perryman, 33, had 47 tackles, four for loss, and three passes defensed in 10 games this season. He began his second stint with the club in 2024, having played for the Chargers from 2015-20. In between, he earned his lone Pro Bowl selection for the Raiders in 2021, then played for Las Vegas again in 2022 before spending 2023 with the Houston Texans.

He was suspended two games in 2023 and has received multiple fines related to impermissible use of the helmet.

In 129 career games (109 starts), Perryman has 764 tackles, 57 for loss, along with 7.5 sacks, five interceptions, 17 passes defensed, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.

The Chargers (11-4) have clinched a playoff berth, but they are one game behind the Denver Broncos (12-3) in the AFC West. Los Angeles plays host to the Houston Texans (10-5) on Saturday before concluding the regular season at Denver the following weekend.

–Field Level Media