Chargers OLB Melvin Ingram was slapped with a roughing-the-passer penalty against Drew Brees that nullified an interception and TD return by San Diego ILB Demorrio Williams. (US Presswire)

The Chargers' play wasn't horrible in their 31-24 loss to the Saints (1-4) on Sunday night. There were bright spots in all areas of the game, but the entire team lacked consistency, which made their overall effort average at best and dropped their record to 3-2. Average isn't good enough and will get you beat every time, even when you're playing an 0-4 team.

Offense: C

QB Philip Rivers completed 27 of 42 throws for 354 yards and two TDs with one INT for a passer rating of 96.7. The running attack combined for 117 yards on 18 carries (6.5 yards per carry on average) and one TD. Although the offense was more balanced than it normally is, the O-line wasn't stellar. Rivers was sacked five times. The Saints defense wasn't able to sack Packers QB Aaron Rodgers once in Week 4, and Rodgers has already been sacked 21 times this season.

Previous game’s grade: B-

Defense: C-

The defense limited the Saints' running game to 53 yards on 21 carries (2.5 yards per-carry average). The D-line also continued to apply pressure with three more sacks and several rushed throws. CB Quentin Jammer had his first INT of the season. QB Drew Brees, however, was 29 of 45 for 370 yards and four TDs. Despite Brees being Brees, the Chargers probably would have won had OLB Melvin Ingram not been called for roughing the passer on a play that negated an INT by ILB Demorrio Williams that he returned 26 yards for a touchdown. Worse, the defense was unable to rebound from this mistake with three minutes to go in the third quarter. Brees led the Saints to 17 unanswered points in their final three drives.

Previous game’s grade: B+

Special Teams: B

P Mike Scifres pinned the Saints inside the 20 on three of four punts. K Nick Novak had three touchbacks in five kickoffs. WR Eddie Royal averaged just eight yards on two punt returns, but Saints RB Darren Sproles averaged just 1 yard on two punt returns. KR Richard Goodman averaged 25.4 yards on five returns with a long of 38, and Sproles was held to a 24.5 average on two returns and a long of 25. Novak, however, hit just one of two field goals. His miss was from 55 yards -- long, but makeable in a dome.

Previous game’s grade: A-

Coaching: C-

Early on it looked as if coach Norv Turner had a winning game plan, but typical of a Turner-coached team, the Chargers weren't able to adjust when things went wrong. The last time the Chargers have won or tied a game with a last-possession TD was Week 9 of 2009 vs. the Giants at the Meadowlands. San Diego had an opportunity to go ahead or tie the game on their final two possessions, but an interception, three costly penalties and a sack fumble sealed their fate. It was a closing-minute performance that resembled many of the Chargers losses under Turner, which separates San Diego from the true contenders and is emblematic of why the Chargers may never reach a Super Bowl with Turner as their leader.

Bottom line: Turner has repeatedly said his team would be very good this season. The time for excuses was over at the end of last season when owner/president Dean Spanos decided to retain Turner and general manager A.J. Smith. Both are on thin, cracking ice and the sun, as usual, is out in San Diego. The Chargers cannot afford to lose at home against the Broncos (2-3) next Monday. Now is the time to win.

Follow Chargers reporter Dan McLellan on Twitter @CBSChargers and @sandiegosports.