Harbaugh says Chargers will evaluate everything after 22-6 loss to Chiefs drops them to 0-6

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh vowed to look at every aspect of his operation — including new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel — after a 22-6 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday that sent Los Angeles winless into its bye.

The only other team without a victory this season is Miami, which was on its own bye this week.

“We're in a position of needing to look forward and evaluate every part of what we're doing,” Harbaugh said. “The job I'm doing, the job the coaches are doing, the way we're playing, the way we're executing on offense. I mean, all those things we need to evaluate.”

None of them have been very good.

After back-to-back 11-win seasons, the Chargers (0-6) are off to their worst start since 2000, when they matched the 1975 team by dropping their first 11 games. Three of their losses have been by more than one possession, and only once have they eclipsed 17 points: a 30-23 loss to Seattle in which the Chargers trailed 30-13 in the fourth quarter.

Much of the criticism has landed at the feet of McDaniel, the former Dolphins coach, who many considered an upgrade over former offensive coordinator Greg Roman. But the Chargers continued to struggle in Kansas City on Sunday, with Justin Herbert throwing his league-leading eighth interception and the offense managing 259 yards of total offense.

“We're going to look at everything,” Harbaugh said. “I mean, the job I'm doing — it starts with me. The plan is to watch this again with our offensive coaches. I see the effort. I see the work being put into the meetings, on the practice field, and you know, to get that to translate to the field is what's necessary.”

Harbaugh refused to use injuries as an excuse, though nobody would think any less of him if he did.

The Chargers already have offensive linemen Rashawn Slater, Tyler Biadasz and Trey Pipkins on injured reserve, along with tight end David Njoku and linebacker Denzel Perryman. Right tackle Joe Alt (neck) and left guard Kayode Awosika (fibula), wide receiver Tre' Harris (hamstring), cornerback Donte Jackson (hamstring) and safety Derwin James (hamstring) also were inactive Sunday.

Wide receiver Ladd McConkey, who had just returned from a foot injury, was lost in the first half to a concussion. Backup defensive back Deane Leonard joined him in the concussion protocol during the second half.

“That's a tough thing they're going through," Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. "That injury list is about as long of a list as I've seen.”

“There’s no justification. There’s nothing I would say that wouldn’t sound like an excuse. I’m opposed to that to the core, and pointing fingers,” Harbaugh said. “But I believe this is a team game. ... We need to look at it all. Everything we’re doing, how we’re doing it.”

Herbert was just 22 of 37 for 204 yards with an inexplicable interception thrown directly into the hands of Chiefs linebacker Jack Cochrane, who nearly returned it for a touchdown. But in a stat that just might underscore the wide-ranging nature of the Chargers' offensive woes, their quarterback also was their leading rusher, scrambling five times for 26 yards.

Kimani Vidal ran seven times for 21 yards. Omarion Hampton carried seven times for 18.

Asked whether he could have foreseen such a dismal start, Herbert replied: “I'm not much for hypotheticals.”

“The situation is what it is now, and we have to move forward and understand where we are, what we have to do, and do our best to get out of it,” he said. “We've got a bye week next week, and do everything we can, like I said earlier, and then whoever we play next after that, we’ll focus on them and do our best to to win that game. That’s all you can ask for.”

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Los Angeles Chargers running back Omarion Hampton (8) gains yards after a catch as Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Chris Roland-Wallace, left, moves in to make the stop during the second half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III (9) escapes a tackle attempt by Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Del'shawn Phillips, bottom, as Cam Hart (20) moves in to make this stop during the second half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) is sacked by Kansas City Chiefs defensive end George Karlaftis, second from right, during the second half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keandre Lambert-Smith (84) loses his cleat as he dives forward attempting to reach for a first down after making a catch during the second half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Ashton Gillotte (97) lands on top of Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) at the end of a rushing play during the second half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — After congratulating the Arizona Cardinals, Sean McVay explained in one sentence why the Los Angeles Rams lost 18-16 on Sunday.

“You know, we won’t win a game unless we figure out how not to beat ourselves,” he said.

That’s been the case in each of the Rams’ past three defeats, the past two coming in seven days by a total of five points on their home field. Erratic play on offense and defense, haphazard special teams, inopportune penalties, untimely injuries and bad decisions have all left the preseason Super Bowl favorites in a big hole.

“I think outside of expectations of our record, we’re just not playing the type of ball that we want to put out,” defensive end Kobie Turner said. “That’s not the quality of ball that we expect. So, got to go back to the drawing board.”

In many ways, the Rams’ loss to the Cardinals was a continuation of their 37-34 overtime loss to the Buffalo Bills on Monday night, which ended with left tackle Alaric Jackson punching Buffalo linebacker Bradley Chubb after the game and getting suspended for one game.

Jackson’s absence forced 36-year-old journeyman David Quessenberry into the starting lineup, and it left the Rams (2-4) struggling against the Cardinals’ blitz packages.

“It felt like it was the first two series, three-and-out, not being able to gather any momentum, and then just putting ourselves behind the sticks, so they’re being able to chuck up the look and kind of get what they wanted from us in the third-and-long and the passing downs,” wide receiver Puka Nacua said.

The offense only got going when it was in desperation mode, a recurring theme over the Rams' past four games, including a 30-26 loss at Denver and a frantic 24-20 comeback win at Philadelphia.

Special teams struggled once again, following a brief moment of hope provided by new kicker Blake Grupe when he nailed a 44-yard field goal on the Rams’ second possession. Grupe was signed on Tuesday following another poor showing from Harrison Mevis against Buffalo.

But coverage breakdowns on the ensuing kickoff forced Grupe to tackle Devin Duvernay near midfield. The kicker sustained a knee injury on the play, knocking him out for the game and seemingly threatening his availability going forward. Grupe had a large brace on his right knee in the locker room.

Punter Ethan Evans was forced to assume kicking duties, drastically changing the Rams’ approach on offense and special teams. He did make a go-ahead extra point with 47 seconds remaining, only for the defense to give up a 21-yard completion and 15-yard personal foul on the same play to set up Arizona’s game-winning field goal as time expired.

“It’s tough, especially when you give yourselves a chance at the end there,” tight end Colby Parkinson said. “But it doesn’t come down to one drive, one play. We all have to play better, especially on the offensive side.”

In another potentially ominous sign for the offense, wide receiver Davante Adams hobbled to the sideline favoring his left knee late in the fourth quarter.

The defense wasn’t blameless, despite holding the Cardinals to six field goals. Aaron Donald and the Rams allowed four drives of at least 10 plays and were unable to get off the field for long stretches.

Even circumstances seem to be conspiring against the Rams. Cornerback Trent McDuffie, arguably their best player over the first five weeks, was a late scratch because of a groin injury he picked up in practice on Friday. Not having McDuffie meant Josh Wallace took on an expanded role, and he was the defender at fault on the pass and penalty that put Arizona in position for its late kick.

Turner said the inability to get all three facets of the team playing effectively at the same time is why the Rams are in their current position.

“It’s a matter of playing complementary ball,” he said. “We have to be able to put our offense in advantageous positions, and they have to be able to capitalize off of it. … So, yeah, we got to find a game where we’re both on and we’re all firing on all cylinders.”

The lack of consistency, even in identifying the team’s issues, is what seems to be bothering McVay most.

“We’ve had some really critical errors at really unfortunate times, but that’s what our narrative has been for this year,” he said. “And we can’t keep saying that we haven’t done that before. Well, this year we are doing it, and so we have to be able to fix it. And it’s my job to do that.”

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Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua, left, has his face mask grabbed by Arizona Cardinals linebacker Jack Gibbens during the second half of an NFL football game in Inglewood, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) reacts toward teammates during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Inglewood, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford speaks at a news conference after an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Inglewood, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Los Angeles Rams kicker Blake Grupe (19) walks off the field with trainers during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Inglewood, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay speaks at a news conference after an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Inglewood, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)