A bye week for an NFL team could be the best time to figure out some key areas for improvement, especially for a team like the Chargers. Ravaged with injuries, this could be a perfect time to reset and rethink key aspects of the team going forward. For Jim Harbaugh though, it could be a time for his team to just rest.
Harbaugh’s Controversial Decision to Give the Team a Full Week Off
One would think that after an embarrassing loss to the Jaguars, Harbaugh would at think of having some film sessions and walkthroughs to ensure certain mistakes they made in that game don’t happen again. After all, this was their largest margin of defeat since last year in Week 15 against the Bucs. Still, Harbaugh instead insists on giving his team the whole week off, rather than hold some practices. This means that everyone would return the Monday before their Week 13 matchup with the Raiders.
“I also felt like our team had earned two extra days, mainly a function of the team has been playing 15 straight games, 15 straight weeks, plus all the way back to the start of training camp,” Harbaugh said about his decision. “My priority is that they are fresh, regroup, and that’s for players, coaches, and staff. Come back ready to roll.” To some, that may seem just fine. The Chargers really haven’t had a chance to recuperate all season long. Still, there are several questions that might have gone unanswered: Would Harbaugh have made the same decision had the Chargers had an earlier bye week? They did kind of have a mini bye after their Thursday Night Football matchup in Week 8 against the Vikings. But after such a disatrous showing, one would think that Harbaugh would at least have had a film session or two.
Mounting Frustrations and a Collapse on the Field
This also could have had an effect on certain players as well who may been upset with the loss. Khalil Mack in particular seemed to voice his frustrations very openly after the game. And to really put into perspective how badly the game actually went, all you have to do is look at the stats.
Justin Herbert had perhaps the worst performance not just of the season, but of his career. He only completed 10 of his 18 passes, and had an abysmal, season low 55.6 completion percentage. To top it all off, for only the second time ever in his career, he failed to hit triple digit passing yards, only having 81. That led to the most embarrassing stat of all: his second lowest passer rating ever as well. While the defense were able to contain the Jaguars through the air, they got gashed on the ground to the tune of 192 yards, a season high allowance.
This has come to be a pivotal week for the Chargers. Their injury list continues to pile up, and they looked hapless in all three phases against the Jags. Harbaugh may see this team needs a chance to rest, but with fans searching for answers, they may not like the ones Harbaugh is giving during a week that could determine their short-term success.
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