Anthony Lynn with incomprehensible calls after Chargers convert 4th-and-27

It is hard to believe the play-calling by Anthony Lynn at the end of the Chargers’ loss to the Bills

The only possibility is Anthony Lynn was so surprised by the Los Angeles Chargers converting a fourth-and-27 in the final minute Sunday against the Buffalo Bills he was unprepared for what to do after it.

Here is Justin Herbert throwing a prayer and having it answered by Tyron Johnson. The play with a minute left and no timeouts covered 55 yards and put the Chargers at the Bills’ 2.

And this is what Lynn and the Chargers’ offensive braintrust cooked up for the rest of the drive, which culminated in a 27-17 loss and some stunning calls:

Rather than spiking the ball to stop the clock, they called a running play that saw Austin Ekeler gain a yard as time ticked away,

  • 1st & Goal at BUF 2

    (0:24 – 4th) A.Ekeler up the middle to BUF 1 for 1 yard (Q.Jefferson; T.Edmunds).

  • 2nd & Goal at BUF 1

    (0:08 – 4th) J.Herbert pass incomplete short left to M.Williams [Q.Jefferson]. PENALTY on BUF-Q.Jefferson, Roughing the Passer, 0 yards, enforced at BUF 1 – No Play.

  • 1st & Goal at BUF 1

    (0:05 – 4th) (Shotgun) J.Herbert pass incomplete short left to M.Williams.

    2nd & Goal at BUF 1

    (0:03 – 4th) J.Herbert up the middle to BUF 1 for no gain (V.Butler).

At this point, the Chargers are 3-8 and one has to wonder when the time will run out on Lynn. Los Angeles is 8-19 in its last 27 games. By comparison, Adam Gase and his hapless Jets are 7-20 over the same frame.