Week 5 has wrapped up for the NFL season, and it was full of surprises. Although the theme of the weekend was the underdog, many thought that the Los Angeles Chargers would take victory this week after suffering a bad loss to the New York Giants the week prior. Even with the goal of getting back in the win column, the Chargers played a lazy and undisciplined game — costing them their second loss of the season.
The Chargers scored to start the game when a costly fourth down offsides penalty paved the way for a two yard receiving touchdown from Ladd McConkey — his first of the year.
For the Commanders, this was the first game that star second-year quarterback Jayden Daniels was back from injury; however, it would be 7th round pick rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt who shine as the offense’s brightest star.
Croskey-Merritt would score his first touchdown, a rush from ten yards out, on the next drive to help the Commanders answer. Nobody expected much out of the rookie coming into the season, but with the injury to running back Austin Ekeler, Croskey-Meritt was ready for his moment and he delivered.
The Chargers would kick a field goal to tie the game at 10-10 going into halftime. Coming out of the break, Los Angeles looked to reestablish their lead, but after the Chargers hit Commanders’ punter Tress Way on 4th down, Washington extended their drive, and began the second half with a score of their own — on another touchdown run from Croskey-Merritt.
The pace in the second half would be much slower than the first for Los Angeles, with the Chargers really never being able to get anything going. In the 4th quarter, the game was 20-10, and the Chargers looked like they were about to score in the redzone, but a tipped pass at the line of scrimmage led to an unfortunate interception that would kill all of the momentum for the Blue and Yellow.
It was another very unfortunate game for the Chargers, and their second loss in a row. They started the season off hot, but it may be time for head coach Jim Harbaugh to regroup the team so that they can get back in the win column next week.