Chargers stumble late, drop 2nd straight in loss to Commanders

INGLEWOOD — The Chargers took two steps backward after taking three steps forward, their latest defeat their second in a row to an NFC East team after sweeping three games against the AFC West. Their 27-10 loss Sunday to the Washington Commanders was a second pratfall in a row.

After a credible start and a 10-0 lead at SoFi Stadium, the Chargers (3-2) couldn’t keep pace with the Commanders (3-2). Justin Herbert was under near-constant pressure behind a patchwork offensive line, as he was during their 21-18 defeat in Week 4 to the New York Giants.

Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels, a graduate of Cajon High School in San Bernardino, picked apart the Chargers after a halting opening quarter. Daniels and the Commanders capitalized on the Chargers’ many miscues and built a 20-10 lead by the end of the third quarter.

There was no answer from the Chargers. Daniels completed 15 of 26 passes for 231 yards and one touchdown in his first game back after a two-game absence because of a knee injury. Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt rushed for 111 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries.

The Chargers were penalized for an illegal formation on the opening kickoff, which didn’t exactly bode well for what was to follow. However, they regrouped and took a 10-0 lead by the end of the first quarter, scoring on their first two possessions and holding Daniels in check.

The Chargers dominated the first quarter by dominating time of possession. The good times and their lead didn’t last, though. Quentin Johnston’s fumble after a 19-yard completion handed the Commanders the ball at their own 26, and they turned that into a touchdown.

Next, with time running out in the half, the Chargers roughed punter Tress Way after backing up the Commanders to their own 2. Instead of getting the ball back with good field position and 50 seconds left, the Chargers handed it to the Commanders, who turned it into a field goal.

Meanwhile, the one thing the Chargers didn’t need happened on the second play of the second quarter, when right tackle Trey Pipkins III limped to the sideline with a knee injury. The Chargers welcomed back right guard Mekhi Becton after a two-game layoff because of a concussion.

Left tackle Joe Alt sat out because of a sprained right ankle suffered during the Chargers’ loss this past Sunday to the Giants. Austin Deculus started in place of Alt. Jamaree Salyer then shifted into Pipkins’ slot after Pipkins was said to be questionable to return to the game.

Pipkins did return to the field for the Chargers’ first possession of the third quarter, but he was penalized once for holding and once for an illegal formation. The Commanders had already taken a 17-10 lead by then on Croskey-Merritt’s 5-yard touchdown run.

Also in the first half, Ladd McConkey caught a 2-yard touchdown pass from Herbert for his first touchdown of the season. McConkey, a second-year player, also topped 100 receptions for his career. Keenan Allen reached 1,000 catches for his stellar career with a reception in the second quarter.

More to come on this story.