Chargers at a loss when it comes to explaining blown leads
The Los Angeles Chargers are showing they can’t hold on to any lead at an unprecedented level.
Anthony Lynn’s team is the first in NFL history to squander four straight leads of 16 points or more. On Sunday, they had a 21-point advantage at Denver before the Broncos rallied for a 31-30 victory with the game-winning touchdown coming on the final offensive play of the game.
According to Pro Football Reference, the Chargers had a 99.3% win probability when they were up 24-3 with 7:33 remaining in the third quarter. It is the fifth time in franchise history they have blown a lead of at least 21 points.
So, even though Justin Herbert threw three touchdowns for the fourth straight game and the rushing attack had their best game since Austin Ekeler was injured four weeks ago, Los Angeles finds itself reeling at 2-5.
“We just need to find a way to get it done, you know, find a way to get the win,” center Dan Feeney said. “We have to put teams away when we have the opportunity, not letting teams hang around and give them chances.”
In the first half of games this season, the Chargers are allowing a league-low 137.9 yards and have outscored teams 101-72. After halftime, they are allowing 226.1 yards — third worst in the league — while being outscored 113-78.
The Chargers made a staff change midway through last year when they fired offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt. Lynn though has expressed support for defensive coordinator Gus Bradley and has ruled out going down the same road again, even though Lynn said all options are on the table to turn things around.
“Making the staff move is not always the right thing to do,” he said. “This is what we have. This is our staff. These are our players, so right now, as a group we have to get things figured out.”