Chargers' defense struggles in first outing under new coordinator Chris O'Leary

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — Mike McDaniel wasn’t the only Los Angeles Chargers coordinator to have a bad debut on Sunday.

Chris O’Leary’s defense got off to a rough start in a 26-14 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, struggling in nearly every area.

A drop-off was expected after Jesse Minter left to become coach of the Baltimore Ravens, but O’Leary’s hiring was supposed to minimize it. He had familiarity with the Chargers, having coached safeties in 2024 before spending one season at Western Michigan as defensive coordinator. O’Leary would keep the system in place, putting his own stamp on a 4-2-5 defense using three safeties, to allow an experienced roster to keep playing fast and aggressive.

Instead, they were consistently on their heels against first-time head coach Mike LaFleur, who also called offensive plays.

The Chargers couldn’t get their opposition off schedule, allowing five straight drives that ended in a touchdown or field goal attempt before finally forcing a punt late in the third quarter.

An accomplished pass rush rarely laid a hand on journeyman quarterback Jacoby Brissett, with linebackers Daiyan Henley and Troy Dye combining for the only sack on a rare blitz. That inability to control the line of scrimmage extended to the run defense, managing one tackle for loss on 34 carries. Failing to generate a takeaway completed the trilogy of passiveness.

Those issues had a carryover effect on the offense, forcing McDaniel to get away from his trademark ground game while playing from behind.

Coach Jim Harbaugh likely approached the season thinking McDaniel's potent offense would help offset the loss of one of the best defensive minds in football, giving O'Leary time to learn on the job. Instead, neither coordinator could help out the other in the opener.

The defense buckled down in the red zone, forcing Arizona to settle for three field goals in five visits to keep the game from getting completely out of hand.

Where to begin? Among the many glaring issues coming out of the opener, the offense’s inability to sustain drives was particularly galling. The Chargers were 2 of 8 on third down and 0 for 3 on fourth down. Their only successful conversion in the second half was Justin Herbert’s touchdown pass to get within 16-14 midway through the third quarter.

After taking a step back last season, WR Ladd McConkey got off to a good start with five receptions for 82 yards and a touchdown. He could have been even more productive had a chest injury not forced him out of the game in the third quarter.

WR Quentin Johnston caught just two of his seven targets for 17 yards, starting his fourth season in Los Angeles. It has been an often frustrating tenure since he was drafted in the first round in 2023.

McConkey underwent further testing on his ribs and is day to day. ... CB Elijah Molden hurt his hamstring. ... WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith is likely to miss several weeks because of a pulled hamstring.

68.6% — Herbert dropped back to pass or ran the ball on 35 of the Chargers’ 51 offense snaps, with McDaniel’s first game looking a little too much like previous campaigns where the star quarterback was asked to do everything.

The Chargers host the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. With back-to-back road games at Buffalo and Seattle on deck as part of a tough seven-game stretch, failure to win against their AFC West rivals could quickly leave Los Angeles’ playoff hopes in dire straits.

See AP’s full NFL coverage here

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh watches from the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Caroline Brehman)

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey (15) is congratulated by wide receiver Quentin Johnston (1) after scoring against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert throws a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett, middle, is hit by Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley (0) and linebacker Troy Dye (43) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Arizona Cardinals running back Tyler Allgeier, middle, runs against Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Elijah Molden (2), defensive tackle Jamaree Caldwell (99) and linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

LEEDS, England (AP) — Three goals in a 13-minute spell before half time — two featuring the commanding Dominic Calvert-Lewin — set Leeds on the way to a comprehensive 4-1 win over Newcastle to move into third place in the Premier League on Monday.

Ao Tanaka’s deflected shot put Leeds ahead after 32 minutes and then man of the match Calvert-Lewin moved into top gear.

The big striker has a great record of scoring against Newcastle and had also hit the net in all of Leeds' last five home matches.

Calvert-Lewin was unlucky to see a 34th-minute header marked down as an own goal after brushing the head of teammate Jayden Bogle on the way in. But there was no mistaking his authorship of the third, which squirmed under the keeper after he poked it goalward under pressure from defenders.

“He is in outstanding shape and plays with confidence,” Leeds coach Daniel Farke said of his No. 9. "I expect him to lead the group and he has taken that responsibility. I never doubt his goals but it isn’t just his goals, it is the way he plays for us. It is outstanding and he’s one of the standout strikers in this league.”

The Leeds forward line was helped by Newcastle’s atrocious defending and another weak clearance led to a fourth goal after 59 minutes, Noah Okafor slapping his low strike through a sea of legs into the far corner.

The only bright spot for the visitor came in the final minute when substitute Bazoumana Touré scored a consolation goal.

“That is football, that is the Premier League," said Newcastle coach Matthias Jaissle. “You have to bring the fundamentals on the pitch, especially against a physical and intense team like Leeds. We couldn’t match that physicality in the first half and that was a key element. I don’t want to search for excuses now, we need to learn out of it and do better.”

See AP’s full soccer coverage here

Newcastle United's Aladji Bamba, left, and Leeds United's Sean Longstaff battle for the ball during the English Premier League soccer match between Leeds United and Newcastle United in Leeds, England, Monday, Sept. 14, 2026. (Annabel Lee-Ellis/PA via AP)

Leeds United's Noah Okafor, right, celebrates scoring their side's fourth goal with Dominic Calvert-Lewin during the English Premier League soccer match between Leeds United and Newcastle United in Leeds, England, Monday, Sept. 14, 2026. (Annabel Lee-Ellis/PA via AP)

Leeds United's Dominic Calvert-Lewin, top, scores during the English Premier League soccer match between Leeds United and Newcastle United in Leeds, England, Monday Sept. 14, 2026. (Annabel Lee-Ellis/PA via AP)

Leeds United's Dominic Calvert-Lewin celebrates scoring during the English Premier League soccer match between Leeds United and Newcastle United in Leeds, England, Monday Sept. 14, 2026. (Annabel Lee-Ellis/PA via AP)