NFL Power Rankings, Week 3: Packers, Ravens set dominant tone

Tyrod Taylor was unable to go so that led to the first career start for rookie Justin Herbert and the young  quarterback gave the Los Angeles Chargers a shot in the arm as they debuted their new stadium against the Kansas City Chiefs. Hosting the defending champions at SoFi Stadium, the Chargers were looking to get a win like their roommates the Rams did in the stadium’s debut the prior week.

Herbert did all he could to make that happen as he was very effective, throwing for 311 yards on 22-of-33 passing with a touchdown and a pick. He added another touchdown with his legs, going for 18 yards on four rushes.

However, the Chargers were unable to hold the Chiefs off who sent it to overtime. Los Angeles had another chance in the extra period when they started out with the ball but then made a big mistake. They decided to punt on fourth-and-1 from the Chiefs 34.

Sure, conventional wisdom is to punt in that situation since it would put the other team in scoring range if you fail to make it, but asking your defense to stop Patrick Mahomes from getting a field goal is a tougher ask than to ask your offense to get one yard. L.A. should have risked it because “playing not to lose” is actually playing not to win.

Of course, that’s still not the worst decision from Anthony Lynn as the coach said after the game that they will go back to Taylor once he’s healthy even though Herbert nearly knocked off the defending champions.