Los Angeles Chargers: Should LA tank if they lose week four?

The Los Angeles Chargers will host the Philadelphia Eagles today at the StubHub Center. If LA loses, it may be time to wave the white flag on the 2017-18 season.

This year was supposed to be different. This was the year that the bad luck that has haunted the Los Angeles Chargers supposed to fade. Los Angeles was a sleeper, ready to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2013. This was supposed to be the year that the team, at least, was respectable. After week four, all of that may be thrown out the window.

You have to feel bad for Philip Rivers, who has stayed loyal to this franchise and may never win a ring because of it. You have to feel bad for brand new head coach Anthony Lynn, who has an unlucky 0-3 record. Most importantly, you have to feel bad for the loyal fans of San Diego that watched their team move to a city that doesn’t even care about them.

The Los Angeles Chargers currently sit at 0-3, but easily could be 2-1. Instead of being tied for second in the division, Los Angeles trails first by three games. Two bad field goals, one blocked that would have sent the game to overtime and one a missed 44-yard field goal that would have won the game

Outside of the last touchdown run against the Chiefs, Los Angeles actually held Kansas City’s offense. If it wasn’t for three Rivers’ interceptions and an injured second half for Melvin Gordon, the Chargers could have had the chance to be 3-0.

But they are not, they are 0-4 and they have another tough matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. If another loss hits the Chargers, it should be the time that the team effectively enters tank mode.

Now, personally, I am not a big fan of tanking, especially after just four weeks. Getting victories and experience are far more important than losing two or three draft spots. However, even if LA was 4-0 after week four, the remaining schedule is extremely tough and would produce multiple losses anyway.

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The Los Angeles Chargers head to New York next week to square off against the Giants, another struggling team. At home, with a chip on their shoulder, the Giants may be able to handle the Chargers with ease. Honestly, this is the only game the team realistically has a chance in.

Los Angeles then heads to Oakland, hosts the Broncos and travels to New England to face the defending champions. Just like that, if the team loses in New York, the Chargers could be 0-8.

Realistically, there are only four games the Chargers theoretically have a chance in. That is against the Browns (who they lost to last season), the Jets and the Bills. Buffalo and Jacksonville are playing better than before, so one could say the Chargers should only win two games this season.

Of course, upsets happen and the Chargers will win one of these games that they should have no chance in. However, with both the Cowboys and Redskins late in the year as well, it seems inevitable that this team will be one of the worst in the NFL.

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Unless they can ignite a flame in this team and play up to their talents, the Chargers may be best suited in preparing for the future. A high draft pick could result in the successor to Philip Rivers, perhaps with the likes of Sam Darnold.

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