The Chargers had their worst defensive day under first-year coordinator Jesse Minter. The tackling was the worst we've seen this season, and when the Bolts needed a stop most, they couldn't find one. They took the ball away once, but gave it right back.

The best Chargers played like that. It was another classic hero play from Justin Herbert. But zero touchdowns is a quick way to find yourself on the wrong end of the scoreboard, no matter how many yards you throw.

This will hurt. I'm sure the entire franchise has lost sleep over this. Time to move on and focus on the Saints coming to town this weekend.

Let's move on and see if there's anything notable that the team might notice.

attack

Best (at least 20 snapshots played)

QB Justin Herbert – 89.7
WR Josh Palmer – 80.3
OT Joe Alt – 76.2
TE Will Dissly – 74.6
OG Zion Johnson – 71.6

It was a miraculous play from Herbert as he threw to a makeshift skill group. No wonder he was the best player on offense.

Palmer showed the talent that led many to believe he would be the team's true WR1 in the 2024 season. He made tough catches that were crucial in giving the Chargers a chance to win on Monday night.

Every member of the Chargers' offensive line gave up multiple pressures on the Cardinals, but Alt came out on top with a run and pass block grade of over 70.0 each, including a run block grade of 87.6 to stay with the group.

Worst

TE Eric Tomlinson – 45.8
WR Ladd McConkey – 47.9
OG Trey Pipkins – 56.2
OT Rashawn Slater – 59.3
C Bradley Bozeman – 61.0

Pipkins was the only Chargers player to allow a sack against the Cardinals. Slater had the Chargers' lowest run block grade at 39.2, while Bozeman had the lowest pass block grade at 28.2.

McConkey caught five of his seven targets, but the two he missed were recorded as drops. That led the team against the Cardinals. This was by far the rookie's worst game mark this season.

defense

Preferably

EDGE Khalil Mack – 92.1
LB Denzel Perryman – 76.4
DT Poona Ford – 72.2
S Derwin James – 72.0
DT Otito Ogbonnia – 70.3

What else is new? Mack was the team's best defender with another elite level of play. Although he didn't record a sack, he also posted an elite 91.9 pass rush grade and led the team with four pressures.

With a run defense grade of 72.4, Ford was second on the team behind Mack's 76.2.

Derwin James led all players in coverage grade with 72.3. He allowed a completion on a target for one yard.

Despite the team's overall performance in this area, Ogbonnia bounced back with a strong game against the run, earning a grade of 72.0.

Worst

EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu – 29.0
LB Junior Colson – 2/29
S Alohi Gilman – 35.7
EDGE Bud Dupree – 43.1
CB Cam Hart – 44.3

This was probably the worst tackle game in recent memory for the Chargers.

Tuipulotu missed four tackles on five attempts. That's a quick 80 percent missed tackle rate. Colson was almost at the bottom with him, but his overall grade dropped by 29.6 in coverage. He allowed two receptions on two scores for 26 yards. He also took a bad angle on Kyler Murray's touchdown scramble.

Gilman was one of five Chargers to finish the day with a tackle grade below 30.0. He missed three tackles and had the second-worst run defense grade on Monday night. Cam Hart's night looked pretty solid, but he allowed four receptions on seven targets for 44 yards, including 22 yards after the catch.