CARSON, Calif. -- The nightmarish flashbacks are returning at a quicker speed for Los Angeles Chargers coach Anthony Lynn.
The latest, a disappointing 27-20 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday, was eerily similar to how the Chargers lost a week ago in Detroit.
Grab an early lead, but fail to increase the cushion, with turnovers and penalties leading to another frustrating loss for the Chargers.
The Bolts led 17-7 and appeared in control at halftime. However, they managed just three points in the second half and dropped to 1-2 on the season, the team’s first two-game losing streak since the 2017 season.
It continues a problematic second-half trend where the Chargers are getting outscored 45-10, including just three points in the fourth quarter.
Turnovers and costly penalties have been at the root of the team’s struggles, with five turnovers this season in the second half, leading to 15 points for the opposing team.
A strength for the Bolts last season, the Chargers have to, again, figure out how to win close games.
A saving grace for the Chargers is they hit the road to face the winless Miami Dolphins next week.
Buy on a breakout performance: In his first start of the season after suffering a season-ending knee injury last year, inside linebacker Denzel Perryman totaled six combined tackles, helping to improve the Chargers’ ability to stop the run. The Bolts held the Texans to just 40 rushing yards on the day. Perryman also served as the defensive playcaller for the Chargers.
QB Breakdown: Philip Rivers had another efficient performance. He completed 31 of 46 passes for 318 passing yards, with two touchdown passes. Rivers was sacked five times, posting a 101.5 passer rating. However, Rivers also committed his third turnover of the season, losing a fumble that led to a touchdown for the Texans in the third quarter.
Silver lining: Wide receiver Keenan Allen had one of his best days as a pro. Allen was targeted a game-high 17 times, finishing with 13 catches for a career-high 183 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Allen recorded his 23rd, 100-yard career performance and became the first person in team history to record at least eight catches in the first three games of the season.