Justin Herbert led the Chargers to a 3-0 start this season but they've had frustrating losses in the last two weeks with a rash of injuries on the offensive line, penalties and turnovers.
They were leading 10-0 at the start of the game Sunday afternoon at Sofi Stadium when the sixth-year pro hit Quentin Johnson for a 19-yard pass only to see Johnson fumble the ball away at the Washington 23. That started a rally for the Commanders, who scored 27 consecutive points to win 27-10.
In all the Chargers committed 10 penalties for 85 yards, including two in a row by the offensive line that erased big gains by the former Oregon Duck and a 57-yard punt return for a touchdown. The visitors sacked Herbert four times behind a patchwork offensive line.
On the Fox TV broadcast Tom Brady said, "If they protect Justin Herbert, he's the best passer in the league. Get him help with quick plays and screens, and support him with the run game to avoid unnecessary hits."
Through five games, he's the most pressured quarterback in the NFL. It's been a constant fire drill in the pocket ever since left tackle Joe Alt got injured in training camp, a high ankle sprain that's kept him out all year.
This is how badly they need him back:
never seen anything like this pic.twitter.com/hBhclbcuJ4
— Steven Ruiz (@theStevenRuiz) October 6, 2025
After the game head coach Jim Harbaugh said,
"We're good enough to overcome some [mistakes], but you need to minimize them," Jim Harbaugh said. "That's an area that we need to get better at."
A week ago in New York the team had 15 penalties for 107 yards.
Herbert led the team in rushing with four carries for 60 yards including a 41-yard run. He was 22-29 passing for 166 yards and a touchdown, one interception.
Brutal break for the Chargers on this one.
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) October 5, 2025
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/BuwSI9Ti0n
He throws the prettiest ball in pro football. He can whistle it to all parts of the field, but he's constantly undone by his offensive line and defense. At this point it looks like his entire career might follow the arc of good quarterbacks in bad places, like Archie Manning with expansion franchise Saints.
The team didn't draft an offensive lineman until the sixth round, taking running back Omarion Hampton and receiver Tre Harris in the first two. They travel to Miami on Sunday, a 10 a.m. game on CBS.
The loss dropped them into a first-place tie with Denver at 3-2. The AFC Champion Chiefs lurk half a game back at 2-2 with a road game tonight against Jacksonville.