Khalil Mack’s injury-limited presence stung the Chargers’ pass rush in the 27-10 loss to Washington, exposing a defense that also battled tackling and discipline lapses. Jayden Daniels carved through San Diego for 231 yards and a TD as Washington’s offense exploited gaps created by scheme and misreads, while the Commanders finished with 163 rushing yards. The Chargers’ 10 penalties and a sputtering run defense helped the blowout, but Mack’s return is imminent and could stabilize a unit that needs upgrades beyond the star edge.

Kliff Kingsbury’s attack exposed vulnerabilities in the Chargers’ front and back seven, underscoring their need for upgrades across the defense and depth on the line. San Diego remains in a precarious spot atop the AFC West, especially with a schedule heavy on divisional and high-powered offenses ahead. The good news: Mack isn’t out for the long term, and the front office has cap space and draft capital to pursue fixes, including the secondary and edge depth. Fantasy angles hinge on how quickly the defense stabilizes and which Chargers targets—Johnston, Allen—surge as the offense regroups against tougher foes.