Chargers report card: Lots of D’s, F’s and N’s (?) after Chargers get commandeered

U-T contributor Jay Posner grades the Chargers following Sunday’s 27-10 loss to the Washington Commanders at SoFi Stadium:

Quarterbacks: B

This was going to be an A- even had the Chargers lost because Justin Herbert was as good as circumstances allowed — until his goal-line pass was tipped and picked off. Still, considering he was most of the running game and Washington looked like it was rushing every Commander stationed within a 200-mile radius, it seems hard to pin much of this on him.

Running backs: D

Omarion Hampton made a couple plays before departing with an ankle injury, leaving Hassan Haskins and Kimani Vidal (yes, I had to look him up, too). Just what the Chargers need is to heap even more on Herbert’s buffet plate.

Receivers: D-

Keenan Allen made history by reaching 1,000 catches faster than anyone, Ladd McConkey scored his first TD of the season (and returned a punt for a should-have-been TD) and Quentin Johnston had a couple nice grabs. But Johnston’s fumble changed the game and the rest of the class must accept the low grade.

Offensive line: N (for no chance)

The makeshift group had its issues, none more than Trey Pipkins III, who had III big penalties — a false start that turned a possible touchdown drive into a field goal and then holding and illegal formation on consecutive plays that nullified passes of 23 and 31 yards.

Defensive line: F+

The plus is for Teair Tart forcing a fumble that kept Chargers in the game. But Washington ran for 163 yards, with the entire defense making Jacory Croskey-Merritt look like a lock for Canton. Da’Shawn (Mr.) Hand started well, but left with a groin injury.

Linebackers: D-

Troy Dye had 11 tackles, including three for losses, but failed to cover Croskey-Merritt, resulting in a long gain. Overall, they just didn’t make enough plays.

Secondary: D

Tarheeb Still broke up two passes before a late PI ended any hope of a miracle comeback. Derwin James Jr. missed a big tackle and had trouble with containment.

Special teams: D-

Cameron Dicker the Kicker hammered a 55-yard field goal and JK Scott averaged 48 yards on two punts. But it’s impossible to overlook the stupefying roughing-the-punter penalty on rookie Marlowe Wax that turned a potential 17-7 halftime lead into a 10-10 tie.

Coaching: F+

The plus is for the plan, which was a good one, at least judging from the first quarter. Then Jim Harbaugh’s men self-destructed. The Johnston fumble … the Wax penalty … the Pipkins penalties … the other penalties that put their total at nearly 200 yards the last two weeks … the play-calling and eventual INT at the goal line. A two-game division lead is now down to zero.

Next opportunity – at Miami: C

This should be an “A” because the Dolphins are flopping around at 1-4, getting above water only to beat the Jets. But the Chargers are a mess, and though it’s not the same players (obviously), they’ve won once in Miami since the famous playoff game in 1982. Nick Canepa even lets me do the report card more often than that.