Jim Harbaugh Puts Chargers' Loss 'on Me' After Fourth-and-1 Gamble Backfires
Leading 17-10 in the fourth quarter, Los Angeles went for it from its own 41 and Justin Herbert was stopped in the backfield. Denver tied it five plays later and won 23-17. The Chargers are 0-5 for the first time since 2003.
Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said a fourth-and-1 call from his own 41 with a 17-10 lead and 10:33 left turned Sunday's 23-17 loss to Denver. Justin Herbert was tackled in the backfield, the Broncos scored five plays later, and Harbaugh said afterward: "100 percent put this on me."
What did Harbaugh say?
That when he saw Denver's front shift he should have called timeout and punted, and that he was "more mad at myself" than he could remember being. ESPN Analytics gave the Chargers an 82 percent win probability going for it against 79.8 percent punting, and also agreed with a later fourth-and-6 attempt from the 31 that ended in Herbert's sixth interception of the season. Herbert defended the call and said it was on the players to gain the yard.
Where are the Chargers?
At 0-5 for the first time since 2003 after two straight 11-win seasons, with 10 consecutive losses dating to last year and an offensive line that started four rookies. Harbaugh said the team "played so valiantly." They visit Kansas City next Sunday.
Players in this story
Sources
- ESPN: Chargers' Harbaugh laments momentum-swinging 4th-down call
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