There’s no doubt the Los Angeles Chargers are feeling the sting of their 0-3 start. And quarterback Justin Herbert has been dreadful so far. Furthermore, here are the Chargers most to blame for the unfathomable loss to the Bills.

The Chargers had several opportunities to take control of the game, but failed miserably in a 24-16 decision. The Chargers have now lost by scores of 26-14, 26-14, and 24-16 this season.

But head coach Jim Harbaugh said there is still hope, according to Chargers.com.

“What gives me hope is the people,” Harbaugh said. “There's no denying the want-to, and the fight is there. And that's building. They're chipping at that. No question, we haven't been good enough yet.”

Here is who fell short against the Bills.

Chargers QB Justin Herbert

Throwing for 226 yards while completing 20 of 34 passes isn’t all that terrible. But Herbert simply isn’t making plays when he needs to make them. It’s like he no longer possesses a deep ball, according to this horrific statistic, according to a post on X by Kris Rhim.

“Justin Herbert on throws 20+ air yards this season: 1-12, 3 ints”

Yep. That will crush any team. And when you look at this stat, it boggles the mind how Harbaugh can make such a ridiculous statement as this, according to The White House with Michael Irvin via NBC Sports.

“Allow me to call my shot, like Babe Ruth pointing his bat over to center field: Justin Herbert, when it’s all said and done, when his career comes to an end, I predict he will be known as the greatest, best ever to play the position of quarterback,” Harbaugh said. “When it’s all said and done, and his career is finished, we’re going to look back and say, ‘Yep, that’s the best that ever did it.’”

What? Maybe Harbaugh hasn’t lost his mind. But has he misplaced it temporarily?

Herbert said he knows his efforts didn’t meet the standards needed by the team.

“Wasn't good enough,” Herbert said. “The defense played so well, forced so many turnovers, and the offense didn't help them out. We don't feel good about it, and it starts with me.

“There was a lot of opportunity, and we got to capitalize on that. We have to be better. That's how I look at it at this point.”

The sequence that told the most about Herbert’s inability to make key plays came in the second half. It was third-and-16 from the Bills’ 25-yard line when Herbert hit Ladd McConkey for a first down at the 6-yard line. A penalty made it first-and-goal at the 3-yard line. The Chargers wound up with a field goal.

Tackle Rashawn Slater said, “We're doing it to ourselves, we got to stop shooting ourselves in the foot. We have all the ability in the world. (But) we're falling short when it comes to the critical time to execute.

“We got to keep getting better. (And) we have to do better. We can't just keep saying that. We have to actually do it.”

Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh

Let’s get NFL real here. Harbaugh is a terrific football coach. But in the NFL, it doesn’t matter how good you are as a coach. The thing that matters is your win-loss record and playoff success. That’s why his brother, John, resides in New York with the Giants instead of still being with the Ravens.

Plainly stated, Harbaugh has to shoulder the blame for a potential Super Bowl team starting the year with a mark of 0-3. His team committed five turnovers against the Bills. That’s on him. Like it or not. Harbaugh said the loss hurts, according to ESPN.

“We did not win the game. That’s painful. That hurts,” coach Jim Harbaugh said. “There was a lot of opportunity. And we’ve got to capitalize on that. We have to be better.

“I’m not singling out anybody. We win these games as a team. We lose as a team. Not where we want to be. Only one way to correct it: Just keep chipping away.”

Part of the blame can be shared by Mike McDaniel. He was expected to transform the Chargers’ offense. Instead, it looks like he has put together a system that can’t succeed with the current personnel. Forty-four points in three games won’t win in the NFL.

Of course, Harbaugh welcomed McDaniel into the organization with open arms. So whatever happens with McDaniel should happen with Harbaugh, too.

It’s only three games, right? Yes, but look at the upcoming schedule.

  • @ Seahawks
  • vs. Broncos
  • @ Chiefs
  • @ Rams

Which one of those teams can the Chargers beat this year? They are staring at a very real possibility of beginning the year with a 0-7 record. And that sounds like a reason to clean house and start from scratch.

Of course, maybe things can turn around. The NFL is full of surprises. Teams can look like they are done, but turn things around. Whether the Chargers can fit into that category largely depends on Herbert's play for the rest of the season.