Jim Harbaugh watched rookie head coach Mike LaFleur out-scheme and out-coach him. His Los Angeles Chargers looked flat in the 26-14 loss at SoFi Stadium against the Arizona Cardinals. Harbaugh spent Monday looking closely at what could've been for his team.

And acknowledging one glaring mistake from the loss.

Yet Harbaugh's admission didn't center on anything that happened Sunday. He focused more on an August mistake he brought up with reporters.

““We made some preseason-type mistakes,” Harbaugh said. “Now I wish we played our starters more in the preseason, to give them game reps.”

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The common starters for the Bolts indeed looked rusty. Quarterback Justin Herbert hit 17-of-27 passes for 209 yards, tossed one touchdown but got picked off once. He also took three sacks against a renewed Cards pass rush.

Running back Omarion Hampton made his official return following a devastating knee injury. But settled for 12 carries for 43 yards and averaged 3.6 yards per carry. Wide receiver Ladd McConkey caught five passes for 82 yards but sustained a ribs injury. His status is now up in the air ahead of their AFC West showdown with a Las Vegas Raiders team brimming with confidence under new head coach Klint Kubiak.

LaFleur even made history for the franchise, becoming the first Cardinals rookie coach to win his opener since Don Coryell. The same Coryell who also became a revered coach for the Bolts.

So now Harbaugh must avoid a stunning 0-2 start. And once again, he and the Chargers face a rookie head coach in the next game. Plus a team that'll likely bring back tight end Brock Bowers.