CARSON, Calif. -- Led by Philip Rivers, the Los Angeles Chargers are supposed to rack up big numbers with playmakers all over the field.
But through two preseason games, the Chargers have scored just 17 points on offense. Since the second half of last week’s game against the Seattle Seahawks, the Chargers have not scored a point on offense. That’s 17 drives without a score.
Of course, Rivers has not been on the field for any of those plays. His only action in preseason came when he led the Chargers on a 13-play, 75-yard touchdown drive on their opening possession against the Seahawks last week.
Still, it’s not a good look for Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn and his group on offense that includes dynamic playmakers in running back Melvin Gordon, receiver Keenan Allen and tight ends Antonio Gates and Hunter Henry.
Lynn said his offense came out flat in a 13-7 loss to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. The Chargers are running vanilla stuff during preseason play, but according to Lynn it’s no excuse for scoring zero points on the last 17 drives.
“No doubt about it, and that’s something that we’re going to address as a coaching staff,” Lynn said. “We want to be more explosive and more dynamic, no matter what we’re running.”
Gordon said the impact players on offense have to get the rest of the group going.
“The guys that are expected to make plays have to come out high,” Gordon said. “People feed off each other. So once you make a play, you get out there and get pumped up, get that energy, and it makes a difference.”
Even more troubling for the Chargers has been the team’s inability to run the football. The Buffalo Bills were the No. 1-ranked rushing offense last year with Lynn as their offensive coordinator. But through two games, the Chargers are averaging just 2.7 yards per carry.
The Chargers have three new projected starters up front and played without starting tackles Russell Okung and Joe Barksdale due to minor ankle injuries against the Saints on Sunday.
Okung’s replacement, Tyreek Burwell, suffered a broken hand, according to the NFL Network, so the injury issues continue up front for the Chargers. Second-round selection Forrestt Lamp was lost for the season earlier in training camp with an ACL injury.
Right guard Kenny Wiggins said the offense has to execute better, and next week’s game against the Los Angeles Rams will be critical to get the offense going. The third preseason game is generally considered a dress rehearsal for the regular season, and Lynn said the starters will play about a half.
“It’s just been little things here and there that have been happening,” Wiggins said. “Once we get those little things figured out, then it will be a good show.
“It’s very frustrating because all it takes is one guy to not do his job and the play falls apart. We had good blocks out there, just one guy didn’t do his job here or there, I didn’t do my job a couple times tonight, and we just didn’t get the job done.”
