The Chargers dropped their third consecutive game on Sunday, losing to the Buccaneers by the score of 38-31.
Everything was in Los Angeles’ favor during the first half, as they led by 17 points at one point. However, miscues and a defensive meltdown backfired as quarterback Tom Brady orchestrated a major comeback.
The defense was stout in the first half, but they fell apart right out of the locker room. Brady was lights out, picking apart defenders at all areas of the field. As a result, he finished with 369 yards and five touchdowns.
Coach Anthony Lynn blamed the poor defensive performance on blown assignments, adding they gave up some explosive plays in the second half.
There were a few “what ifs” in this game and one them came with eight minutes remaining in the fourth quarter when L.A. elected to punt on 4th-and-1 at their own 34-yard line, down by four points.
Lynn said he considered going for it, but he thought he had enough time left on the clock to punt it away. Tampa Bay turned the punt into three points, as Brady led the team 72 yards down the field.
“When we have them against the ropes we need to learn to knock them out,” Lynn said. “We had a chance to win. You go out there and get your butt kicked sometimes that happens, but in these games, we had a chance to win these games.”
One of the very few positives from the game was rookie quarterback Justin Herbert, yet again. Herbert finished with 20-of-25 passing for 290 yards and three touchdowns.
“I thought he played well, but we lost the game,” Lynn said. Anytime we lose a game, it’s not good enough, so I can’t say someone played outstanding and we go out and lose the damn football game.”
Lynn went more in depth what how he felt about Herbert’s performance. “I thought he handled the situation we put him in well. He made some great throws early, we took some shots, he stood in the pocket, he got rid of the ball and that’s what good quarterbacks do.”
Lynn was non committal following the game, but he will have a tough decision to make over the next couple of days as he will have to announce the team’s starting quarterback moving forward, with Tyrod Taylor close to being completely healthy.
“I can’t answer that right now. My mind is still on this game.”