Fans in Los Angeles this week are sharing the quote made famous by late Cardinals coach Dennis Green: "They are who we thought they were, and we let them off the hook."
Sunday night, the Chargers led the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs, 17-6, midway through the third quarter. But quarterback Patrick Mahomes then did what he does, engineering yet another Kansas City comeback and an overtime win.
The Chargers are now 1-1 in 2020 after a pair of three-point games: a Week 1 win over Cincinnati (16-13) and Week 2 loss to Kansas City (23-20).
Taylor or Herbert?
Veteran quarterback Tyrod Taylor landed with the Chargers in 2019 and played sparingly behind Philip Rivers. After Rivers departed for Indianapolis, Taylor was joined in the quarterback room by Justin Herbert, the sixth overall pick in this spring's draft.
Head coach Anthony Lynn named Taylor the starting quarterback in the preseason, and he played reasonably well in the opener, throwing for over 200 yards with no interceptions. But this past Friday, he showed up on the injury report with a rib injury, and then just minutes before kickoff, he was rushed to the hospital with difficulty breathing.
Thrust into an emergency start, Herbert had a bright NFL debut, throwing for 311 yards and a touchdown while rushing for another score. But he threw an interception near the end of the third quarter that led to a Kansas City touchdown and then couldn't convert inside the red zone on his next drive, allowing the Chiefs to come back and tie the game.
Lynn said afterward that Taylor is still the starting quarterback if healthy, but it's worth watching how this develops throughout the week.
Keeping it on the ground
Through two games, the Chargers have emerged as one of the NFL's best rushing teams, averaging 169.0 per game, which ranks sixth in the league.
Austin Ekeler ranked second in the NFL last year in receiving yards by a running back (993), trailing Christian McCaffrey by only 12 receiving yards. Ekeler was also top 10 in total scrimmage yards (1,550) and total touchdowns (11).
Ekeler has gotten off to a strong start along with new rookie teammate Joshua Kelley. A fourth-round pick out of UCLA, Kelley has 173 scrimmage yards and a score to go with Ekeler's 235 scrimmage yards.
Low scoring
The Chargers have allowed just 36 points through two games, tied for sixth-lowest in the league. Los Angeles has just two takeaways, four sacks and ranks near the middle of the pack in both rushing and passing yards allowed. But they've been stout in the red zone, allowing scores on just 66.7 percent of opponent red zone drives, which ranks second in the league.
Linebacker Kenneth Murray leads the team with 9.0 tackles per game, while defensive end Joey Bosa has two sacks and nine total tackles already. Bosa finished last season with 11.5 sacks, ranking ninth in the NFL.
Familiar faces in new places
The Panthers will be playing their first game in the new SoFi Stadium, home of the Chargers and Rams. The Chargers are 0-1 in their digs after their loss to the Chiefs.
Sunday game marks a return for offensive linemen Russell Okung and Michael Schofield as well as offensive line coach Pat Meyer. All three were with the Chargers from 2017-19.
Of course, Okung came to Carolina via trade for guard Trai Turner. He was inactive in Week 1 with a knee injury but started in Week 2.
Several Carolina coaches have college ties to L.A., including Matt Rhule (2001), Phil Snow (2001-02) and Jake Peetz (2007), who all spent time coaching at UCLA.
Carolina holds a 5-1 edge in the all-time series against the Chargers.
Carolina Panthers fullback Mike Tolbert scores against the San Diego Chargers during the first half of a NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) runs past the defense of San Diego Chargers outside linebacker Shaun Phillips (95) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams celebrates as the referee indicates touchdown after his 45 yard reception against the San Diego Chargers during the first half of a NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Carolina Panthers fullback Mike Tolbert sails over the top of the San Diego Chargers defense to score a touchdown during the first half of a NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers loses the battle for the fumbled ball with Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Nate Chandler during the first half of a NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Carolina Panthers running back Mike Tolbert (35) tries to break the tackle of San Diego Chargers Eric Weddle (32) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
San Diego Chargers tight end Dante Rosario (88) runs as he tries to break the tackle of Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Thomas Davis (58) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
San Diego Chargers' Quentin Jammer and Eric Weddle watch as Carolina Panthers' DeAngelo Williams(34) and Cam Newton(1) celebrate their 45 yard touchdown pass during the first half of a NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton escapes the rush of San Diego Chargers inside linebacker Donald Butler during the first half of a NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
Tailgaters enjoy the sunshine prior to start of the NFL football game between the San Diego Chargers and the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith cuts behind a block after catching a ,pass against the San Diego Chargers during the second half of a NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Carolina Panthers' Ted Ginn (19) looks for some running room as he runs past San Diego Chargers' Derek Watt (34) during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. The Panthers won 28-16. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Jonathan Stewart, front, tries to run through the grasp of San Diego Chargers' Korey Toomer, back, during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. The Panthers won 28-16. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
San Diego Chargers' Philip Rivers (17) looks to pass from the end zone against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. The Panthers won 28-16. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
San Diego Chargers' Philip Rivers (17) grimaces as he is sacked for a touchback by Carolina Panthers' Mario Addison during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. The Panthers won 28-16. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) looks for some running room against the San Diego Chargers during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. The Panthers won 28-16. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
San Diego Chargers head coach Norv Turner, left, shakes hands with Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera after an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012 in San Diego. The Panthers won 31-7. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
San Diego Chargers' Kenneth Farrow (27) looses his helmet, but moves the ball against the Carolina Panthers' Kurt Coleman (20) and Mario Addison (97) during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. The Panthers won 28-16. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Carolina Panthers safety Chris Harris (43) lifts San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson off the ground as he tackles him on a 8-yard run in the third quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Carolina Panthers head coach John Fox coaches defensive end Julius Peppers, left, during the third quarter of their NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, in San Diego. The Panthers won the game 26-24. (AP Photo/Chris Park)
Carolina Panthers safety Chris Harris celebrates after forcing San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates to fumble in the third quarter of an NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers Sunday Sept. 7, 2008 in San Diego. Panthers cornerback Chris Gamble returned the ball for a touchdown. (AP Photo/Chris Park)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme throws a pass during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, in San Diego. The Panthers won 26-24. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Carolina Panthers Dante Rosario, right, leaps to catch a 14-yard pass from quarterback Jake Delhomme while San Diego Chargers' Eric Weddle, left foreground, defends during the final moments of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, in San Diego. The play gave Carolina a 26-24 victory over San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Park)
San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates (85) fumbles as he is hit by Carolina Panthers safety Chris Harris (43) and cornerback Chris Gamble, left, during an NFL football game Sunday Sept. 7, 2008 in San Diego. Gamble recovered the fumble and ran it back 31 yards for a touchdown. (AP Photo/Chris Park)
Carolina Panthers tight end Dante Rosario, left, makes a 14-yard touchdown catch in front of the coverage of San Diego Chargers' Eric Weddle, right, as time runs out in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, in San Diego. The touchdown gave the Panthers a 26-24 win. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
San Diego Chargers wide receiver Chris Chambers, left, slips past Carolina Panthers free safety Charles Godfrey (30) for a touchdown on a 44-yard pass from quarterback Philip Rivers during the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday Sept. 7, 2008, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Chris Park)
Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams (34) breaks the tackle of San Diego Chargers' Derek Smith, right, on an eight-yard run during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, left, throws a pass under pressure from Carolina Panthers Thomas Davis, right, during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
San Diego Chargers' Jesse Chatman (24) goes between teammate Shane Olivea (70) and Carolina Panthers' Colin Branch (28) for a touchdown in the final minutes of the Chargers' 17-6 win in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
San Diego Chargers quarterback Drew Brees (9) looks to pass to Lorenzo Neal (41) in the third quarter of the Chargers' 17-6 win over the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
A potential touchdown pass slips through the hands of Carolina Panthers' Muhsin Muhammad in the fourth quarter against the San Diego Chargers in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004. The Chargers won, 17-6. (AP Photo/Rusty Burroughs)
Carolina Panthers' Brad Hoover (45) breaks the tackle of San Diego Chargers' Terrence Kiel (48) in the first quarter in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Carolina Panthers' Muhsin Muhammad (87) is brought down by San Diego Chargers' Jerry Wilson in the first quarter in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004. (AP Photo/Rusty Burroughs)
Carolina Panthers tight end Wesley Walls (85) spikes a ball during a 26 to 7 Carolina Panthers win over the San Diego Chargers on September 14, 1997 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Carolina Panthers tight end Wesley Walls (85) runs upfield during a 26 to 7 Carolina Panthers win over the San Diego Chargers on September 14, 1997 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Running back Tshimanga "Tim" Biakabutuka (21) of the Carolina Panthers runs upfield as Chargers linebacker Junior Seau (55) attempts a tackle as Chargers defensive tackle Norman Hand (96) watches in a 26 to 7 win over the San Diego Chargers on September 14, 1997 at Qaulcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
