Anthony Lynn on Los Angeles Chargers blowing another double-digit lead: Got to figure this out as a group
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Los Angeles Chargers coach Anthony Lynn finally had it after his team lost a double-digit lead for the fifth time this season on Sunday.
Asked if it was time to start making changes with coaches or personnel after the Chargers lost to the Denver Broncos 31-30 on a 1-yard pass from Drew Lock to KJ Hamler on the final play of the game, a frustrated Lynn replied, “It’s not time to make those changes.
“This is what we have, this is our staff, these are out players. So right now what we gotta do as a group is figure this out — why we’re blowing these leads that we’re getting, and why we’re not finishing games, like we need to, in the fourth quarter. We did it last week and we didn’t do it this week. It’s too soon for changes right now.”
When prompted again about not contemplating changes, he continued, “What do you wanna do — go hire new players, go hire new coaches right in the middle of the season? You can’t do that. This is what we have and we got to figure this s— out right now.”
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The Chargers (2-5) are the first team in NFL history to trail after leading by at least 16 points in four consecutive games. In fact, no other team had done so in even three straight games.
Los Angeles lost Sunday’s game after blowing a 21-point lead. They also lost after having 17-point leads against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints in Weeks 4 and 5, respectively, then squandered a 16-point advantage to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 7 before recovering and winning.
The Chargers also blew an 11-point lead to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2 as well. They lost that game in overtime.
L.A.’s players were just as frustrated and disappointed as their coach. After leading by 21 early in the game, the Broncos led by Lock, staged a steady comeback. The Broncos appeared to have been stopped on a last play, but the referees called pass interference on Brandon Facyson on fourth down in the end zone with one second left, giving Denver one more chance. The Broncos then scored.
“I wish I knew,” said receiver Keenan Allen, who caught nine passes for 67 yards and a touchdown, on why the Chargers keep losing big leads. “I don’t know.”
“It’s very disappointing in the locker room,” Lynn said. “These guys feel bad now.”
Rookie quarterback Justin Herbert — who threw for 278 yards and three touchdowns, with two interceptions, on 29-of-43 passing — vowed to “do better, watch more film and get back at it.”
He said, even though he sounded upbeat, if anyone thinks he is, that person is wrong.