Justin Herbert, Chargers unravel late, again, in

Once is a hiccup.

Twice is a behavior.

Maybe this is what the Chargers are — lurching, sputtering and unable to constantly transfer the soccer, despite an offensive overhaul packed with lofty expectations.

Just as they did in their abysmal season opener, the Chargers struggled at home Sunday and failed to set up a rhythm on their means to a 26-14 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.

The Chargers misplaced their opener to the Arizona Cardinals by an an identical rating — 26-14.

In another bit of unhappy synchronicity, both the Raiders and Cardinals gained just three video games and fired their coaches last season.

“Not deterred,” said Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh, off to his first 0-2 teaching start in school or the professionals. “No one in that locker room is deterred.”

If so, the Chargers are exhibiting far more willpower off the sphere than on it. Because their play Sunday may buckle the resolve of even true believers.

This six-fumble fiasco noticed the Chargers end drives in this irritating staccato: missed subject aim, punt, interception, punt, landing, punt, end of half, landing, punt, punt, fumble, interception, security.

Not what the franchise had in thoughts when they introduced in coordinator Mike McDaniel to repair the offense.

“It’s tough,” quarterback Justin Herbert said. “No one wants to lose two games, but there’s nothing we can do about it.”

We need to do better. We will do better. That was the theme in the somber locker room. But All-Pro security Derwin James Jr. let the masks slip a bit.

“Hell yeah, we’re pissed, man,” he said. “Put in all this work in OTAs, training camp, to go out and lose? I want to get this [stuff] right.”

It gained’t get any simpler. The Chargers play at Buffalo on Sunday against the 2-0 Bills, who have scored a mixed 77 factors in victories over the Houston Texans and Detroit Lions.

After that, the Chargers play at Seattle, at home against Denver, at Kansas City, and against the Rams as uncommon guests at SoFi Stadium. Four opponents, 4 Super Bowl-winning coaches.

These first two video games have been supposed to be the smooth start, or at least a comparatively light ramp-up to the thorny half of the schedule.

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert reacts after an offensive holding penalty on Joe Alt outcomes in a security late in the fourth quarter Sunday against the Raiders.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Well, that’s out the window. The Chargers have been dominated by Arizona, then dropped another home recreation to the Raiders. As head coach of the Chargers, Harbaugh had gained all 4 of his earlier matchups against Las Vegas.

The Chargers last began 0-2 in 2023, when they went on to end 5-12.

Sunday, the Chargers have been unable to get the ball downfield and repeatedly dedicated penalties and miscues that short-circuited drives. For occasion, usually sturdy deal with Joe Alt was flagged for false begins thrice.

Another botched alternative: Trailing by a subject aim late in the third quarter, the Chargers had a third-and-inches on their facet of the sphere. Herbert dropped back into shotgun and despatched Tre’ Harris in movement from proper to left. Then, they snapped the ball at the exact second the receiver was between heart Jake Slaughter and the quarterback. The snap bounced off Harris’ knee. Herbert had to pounce on the free ball and the risk was thwarted.

The usually stoic Herbert couldn’t conceal his frustration. He appeared to angrily yell before retreating to the sideline.

Later, with barely less than 4 minutes remaining, when the Chargers seemingly had a bit of momentum. They had just gotten a first down on a Raiders penalty — 12 males on protection — and had inched across the 50.

Herbert handed off to Omarion Hampton on a draw, and the second-year back was met by linebacker Nakobe Dean and promptly fumbled — one of six on the day for the Chargers. Safety Jeremy Chinn scooped up the ball and returned it 43 yards to the 16.

Raiders followers at SoFi Stadium erupted in glee. For the Chargers, that singsong, taunting “Raiii-derrrs” chant will certainly hang-out their goals. The TV cameras didn’t help issues, at one level discovering a lone Chargers fan amid an ocean of Raiders followers, a blue dot bobbing in a silver-and-black sea.

Raiders fullback Connor Heyward, left, and Chargers linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu battle during the fourth quarter Sunday.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Three performs later, Kirk Cousins discovered Cody White with an 11-yard cross, the second landing of the day for the erstwhile practice-squad receiver.

The last insult got here on the Chargers’ last possession when Alt drew a holding penalty while attempting to stop cross rusher Maxx Crosby, ensuing in a security.

The Chargers took a 14-10 lead halfway through the third quarter when Herbert linked with tight end Oronde Gadsden II for a 10-yard landing.

But the Raiders responded on the following possession when Cousins threw a 13-yard landing cross to White to put Las Vegas up, 17-14.

A key play in that drive confirmed the creativity of Klint Kubiak, in his first season as coach of the Raiders. Cousins took the snap and pitched the ball to Ashton Jeanty, who in flip threw it back to Cousins.

The quarterback then hit a wide-open Dareke Young for a 27-yard gain, giving the Raiders the ball deep in Chargers territory.

The Raiders had their own glitches, including at the end of the opening quarter, when they’d a first-and-goal from the 4, yet couldn’t rating on 4 consecutive Jeanty runs.

The Chargers had a equally irritating second in the first quarter when Herbert discovered tight end David Njoku behind the Las Vegas protection and delivered the ball for what ought to have been a big gain.

Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh walks on the sideline during the first quarter Sunday.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Njoku bobbled the cross, however, and the ball was grabbed by rookie security Hezekiah Masses, who had another choose in the fourth quarter during his first profession start.

Making issues worse, Njoku suffered a knee injury on the play and didn’t return.

“This is a team that has the competitiveness, they’ve got the fight,” Harbaugh said of his gamers. “We’ve got the guys. We’ve got the coaches. We’ve got to find our way.”

The choices: Circle the wagons or circle the drain.