Keenan Allen had a big day for the Chargers on Sunday against Houston.
Good thing, seeing as how he was mostly alone on offense.
Allen was targeted a game-high 17 times and finished with 13 receptions for 183 yards and two touchdowns in the 27-20 loss.
The Chargers’ other three wide receivers who were part of the offensive game plan were targeted 15 times total and caught only six balls among them.
Mike Williams, a player so gifted physically that quarterback Philip Rivers has said he can’t really be guarded, had no receptions after halftime.
The loss of Tyrell Williams in free agency was expected to be a hurdle the Chargers would have to clear this season. So far, they haven’t.
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Chargers wide receiver Travis Benjamin drops a pass in front of Houston Texans free safety Tashaun Gipson late in the game. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
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Houston Texans tight end Jordan Akins leaps into the stands after scoring on a 53-yard reception against the Chargers in the fourth quarter. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
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Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen celebrates as he scores on a 12-yard touchdown pass against the Houston Texans in the second quarter. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
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Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers is upended by Houston Texans cornerback Bradley Roby after scrambling for eight yards in the final minutes of the game. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
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Houston Texans defensive end Charles Omenihu, left, grabs the face mask of Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers during the second half. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
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Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers is sacked by Houston Texans defensive ends J.J. Watt, left, and D.J. Reader during the second half. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
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Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen stays inbounds for a seven-yard touchdown reception in front of Houston Texans cornerback Johnathan Joseph in the first quarter. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
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Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers looks to pass against the Houston Texans during the first half. (Getty Images)
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Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins tries to run past Chargers linebacker Thomas Davis, left, and defensive tackle Justin Jones during the first half. (Getty Images)
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Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson shouts instructions to wide receiver Kenny Stills during the second quarter. (Getty Images)
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Chargers running back Austin Ekeler finds an opening in the Houston Texans’ defense on a carry in the second half. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
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Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers tries to evade a sack by Houston Texans outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus before he ends up fumbling the ball away during a play in the second half. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
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Chargers running back Justin Jackson carries the ball against the Houston Texans. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
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Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers walks off the field in the final moments of the Chargers’ 27-20 loss to the Houston Texans. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Against the Texans on Sunday and last week against Detroit, the offense largely boiled down to Rivers trying to get the ball anyway possible to Allen. Beyond that, the Chargers’ attack was somewhat toothless.
The loss of tight end Hunter Henry to a knee injury also is starting to show more; his ability to work the seams and operate in the red zone are things the Chargers are lacking.
Among their other weapons, Austin Ekeler had only three first-half carries, and Justin Jackson carried just once in the second half — and lost six yards.
“I’m not calling the plays,” Ekeler said. “The only thing I’ll say is that, whatever is called, we have to make sure we execute, whether it’s run or pass. I don’t have a preference. I’ll block. I’ll pass. It doesn’t matter to me. I’ll go run down on special teams. It doesn’t matter to me as long as I’m playing.”
