Late in Sunday’s loss to the New England Patriots, the Los Angeles Chargers defense got a rare stop.
Cam Newton threw an incomplete pass on third-and-five to set up a punt late in the third quarter. The game was well out of reach at that point with New England leading, 35-0. But at least the Chargers had a chance to get their defense off the field.
Except they didn’t. The Chargers sent 12 men on the field to return the punt. As any football fan knows, that’s one man too many for a legal formation. It resulted in a five-yard penalty that acted as a de facto turnover as the Patriots maintained control of the ball.
The play had zero impact on the outcome of the game that New England won 45-0. But it was indicative of the problems plaguing the Chargers all day — and all season — that had head coach Anthony Lynn making this statement to reporters after the game.
That was his answer to a question asking him specifically if he expects to still be employed on Monday.
As for beyond Monday? Lynn wasn’t so sure. He told reporters that he’s in regular contact with owner Dean Spanos and that’ll he’ll work on what he can control.
“That’s out of my control, my job status,” Lynn continued. “But I talk to Dean all the time. It’s my job to get this team back on track, and if I’m here I will.”
After Sunday’s ugly loss dropped the Chargers to 3-9, Lynn’s seat turned up to one of the hottest in the NFL, rivaling perhaps only that of New York Jets head coach Adam Gase.
The Chargers have arguably the brightest young quarterback prospect in the league in Justin Herbert, who’s in the midst of a fantastic rookie campaign. Wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, running back Austin Ekeler and tight end Hunter Henry make the core of a skill talent group that a lot of NFL teams would happily trade for.
They have one of the game’s most valuable assets in a dominant young pass rusher in Joey Bosa.
And yet they sit with the fourth-worst record in football following Sunday’s loss. It adds up to a second-straight lost and disappointing season following up last year’s 5-11 campaign in Lynn’s third year on the job.
This season is one that’s marked by poor execution in close losses that have hinged on a handful of plays. Except for Sunday, of course. Sunday was anything but a close call.
And it may have been the sloppiest of performances yet on a day racked by special teams mistakes including a blocked field goal to end the first half that turned into a Patriots touchdown with no time left on the clock.
Sports Illustrated’s Fernando Ramirez tallied the Chargers special teams errors on Sunday. They were rampant.
#Chargers less than special teams through three quarters:
Missed FG
Punt return for TD
10 men on PR
False start on punt
FG blocked for a TD
Holding on kickoff return
12 men on the field for PR
Can’t make this stuff up. #NEvsLAC— Fernando Ramirez (@RealFRamirez) December 6, 2020
Lynn took the blame for the special teams mistakes after the game.
“I made a (coaching) change at special teams,” Lynn said. “I’ve got a lot of guys doing different things. Today got confusing on the field. It was unacceptable.”
Taking blame for continued mistakes isn’t going to cut it in the NFL. Especially amid a season where the lone bright spot is the end result of a gross negligence.
The only reason the Chargers are getting a look at Herbert this season is because someone on the team’s medical staff punctured Tyrod Taylor’s lung with a pain injection in Week 2. If it were up to Lynn, he would’t have given Herbert a look early in the season.
Of course Lynn didn’t puncture Taylor’s lung. He didn’t have the needle in his hand. But if happened under his watch.
And this stuff all adds up to a bigger picture.
It’s a picture that has Lynn convinced he’ll have a job tomorrow. But not necessarily for much longer.
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