One play can swing an entire game, for good or for bad. Late in the second quarter against the Washington Commanders, linebacker Marlowe Wax committed the most consequential (avoidable) penalty of the young Chargers' season.
Backed up in their own endzone on fourth and long, the Commanders punted the ball away to Ladd McConkey, who is filling in at returner for the injured Derius Davis. McConkey fielded the punt on a bounce and proceeded to make multiple Commanders miss, culminating with a hurdle over the punter for six.
There was just one problem. Wax did the only thing he couldn't do in that situation: run into the punter without touching the ball.