How quickly momentum can shift in sport.
It was Monday, 22 September, 2025. The LA Chargers were 3-0 at the top of the AFC West – the first time they had won their opening three games since 2002.
To make matters even better, all three wins had come over their AFC West rivals.
Since that day, everything has unravelled. Now, heading into Week 6, the whole ‘vibe’ surrounding the team has shifted.
Two straight losses
All was well heading into a Week 4 match-up with the struggling New York Giants. Even the news that Jaxson Dart would be getting his first start instead of Russell Wilson did not cause too much alarm.
That was until the game started. Dart immediately drove the Giants downfield and put them ahead with a rushing touchdown. The rest, as they say, is history.
‘Just a blip’. ‘A bump in the road’. These were the clichés running through my head at the time.
And as quickly as 3-0 had become 3-1, the Bolts were suddenly 3-2, with another defeat at the hands of another NFC East side – the Washington Commanders.
Back from injury, Jayden Daniels turned in his best showing of the season, as the Chargers threw a 10-0 first-quarter lead away.
Not only did they throw it away, but they failed to score again in the game, as they were beaten 27-10 at SoFi Stadium.
And as alarming or concerning as these results have been, it pales in insignificance to the Chargers’ now extensive injury report.
CTRL+ALT+DEL to season hopes
Losing Pro Bowl tackle Rashawn Slater to a season-ending injury before Week 1 was a huge blow.
But with Slater out, 2024 first-round pick Joe Alt seamlessly slid over to left tackle, and was among the NFL’s best to start the season.
However, Alt’s injury against the Giants has left the offensive line in tatters, and Justin Herbert has been running for his life the last two weeks.
It is no coincidence that the Chargers’ two losses have come in games where Alt has been sidelined.
The Bolts may get Alt back sooner than expected, after he avoided being put on Injured Reserve (IR). They must not rush him back though, and risk re-aggravating the injury. Any realistic hopes of postseason success rely of Alt’s health.
But as the positive news of Alt’s injury arrived, the Chargers were hit with another hammer blow.
With Najee Harris already out for the season, 2025 first-round pick Omarion Hampton has now landed on IR. In case you were not following along, that is both the Bolts’ last two first-round picks out injured.
The timing is so cruel as well, with Hampton finally coming into his own after a slow first two weeks. His average of 10.67 yards per carry on 12 attempts against the Giants was quite something.
The Chargers now turn to Hassan Haskins and Kimani Vidal to lead the backfield. Two names that do not inspire much hope.
With Khalil Mack eligible to return from IR in Week 7, maybe the team can start to swing momentum back in a positive direction.
But for now, despite sitting 3-2 and still top of the AFC West, the Chargers are heading the wrong direction.
