The Los Angeles Chargers succumbed to the NFL's biggest Week 1 upset, losing 26-14 at home to the Arizona Cardinals. Jim Harbaugh second-guessed his summer strategy after the season-opening letdown. "We made some preseason type of mistakes," Harbaugh said on Monday.
"Now, in retrospect, I wish we played our guys a little bit more in the preseason to give them those game-like reps." Justin Herbert started their second preseason game, but Harbaugh removed his quarterback and the first team after a three-and-out on the opening drive. Herbert fumbled in the final exhibition contest's second play but stayed in the game to throw a 65-yard touchdown to Quentin Johnston on another two-play series before taking a seat. That's more playing time than some NFL starters saw this preseason, but the Chargers didn't look crisp on Sunday.
The offense tallied 56 yards on their final five drives, with Herbert completing 17 of 27 passes for 209 yards, a touchdown, and an interception in his first game under offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel. Meanwhile, Jacoby Brissett went 27 of 37 for 277 yards and a touchdown. A Cardinals team expected to compete for a No. 1 draft pick instead won Mike LaFlauer's coaching debut.
The Chargers made the playoffs after going 11-6 in each of Harbaugh's two seasons as head coach, but they must quickly regroup from the Week 1 setback. Harbaugh stressed the importance of timing and small details to right the ship. "There's a lot of good things to build on, and attack the things we can improve," Harbaugh said.
"Mainly, it's a lot of precision ... Those things showing up in all three phases." Los Angeles can rebound when playing the Las Vegas Raiders this Sunday at 4:05 p.m.
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