The Los Angeles Chargers' defense once again was the team’s kryptonite in their Week 10 loss to the Detroit Lions. The offense did just enough to keep the team afloat, but the defense's inability to stop the Lions was evident and was a big reason to give them their fifth loss of the season.
The defense played their butts off in the two previous outings, but the second total offense proved to be too much for the Chargers' 31st total-ranked defense.
After the game, a handful of Charger defenders, including LA's emerging linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr., spoke on their lackluster performance, as Jeff Miller of The Los Angeles Times relays.
“You have a standard that you set,” linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. said. “Not being able to get a stop is not the standard we set. It sucks. I’m a bit pissed off right now.”
Chargers defensive lineman Morgan Fox was another to point the blame on his side of the ball and take accountability.
“We gotta point the finger at ourselves first and figure out what we did wrong,” defensive lineman Morgan Fox said, per Miller. “We just have to be better.”
LA allowed 533 total yards, 200 on the ground and 333 through the air. On average, the LA defense surrenders 393.2 yards throughout their nine games. To be considered Super Bowl contenders, that number is unacceptable and is a big reason why they sit at 4-5. It starts and ends on that side of the ball. If the Bolts cannot figure it out, they could kiss their postseason aspirations goodbye.
Three other Charger defenders sounded off on the loss and what they did or didn't do, per Daniel Popper of The Athletic.
“They were able to do anything they wanted to,” cornerback Ja’Sir Taylor said.
“They schemed the game to their strengths,” edge rusher Khalil Mack noted.
“We have to be able to adjust,” linebacker Eric Kendricks acknowledged.
It's been a recurring theme all season long, and there's no sight that it will end.
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