What happened: Steven Ruiz attributed part of the Chargers slide to protection and support around Justin Herbert. He also flagged execution areas where Herbert can play better.

Why it matters: Los Angeles entered September leaning on a retooled line to protect Herbert, tying early results to that investment. His form will define whether the Chargers stabilize during the opening stretch.

What to watch: The Chargers head into Sunday's QB matchup with scrutiny on the offense to respond.