Instant Reactions From The Coach: Chargers Lose Home Finale

Philip Rivers Legacy. Los Angeles Chargers QB Philip Rivers During Training Camp In 2018. Photo Credit: Monica Dyrud
Los Angeles Chargers QB Philip Rivers During Training Camp In 2018. Photo Credit: Monica Dyrud

The Coach

The Chargers lost another close game. This can be a template intro for almost every post-game article for 2019. While the ground game for LA was essentially non-existent, Melvin Gordon punched in two scores inside the five-yard line which wound up being the only two touchdowns of the day for the Chargers, falling to the Raiders 24-17. Now with ten losses on the year, the Chargers have double-digit losses for the first time under Anthony Lynn.

The Chargers were stopped three times inside the ten-yard line late in the game. Incomplete passes to Mike Williams and Keenan Allen plus a Rivers’ throw away led to a Michael Badgley field goal. The Raiders recovered the ensuing onside kick and then proceeded to run out the rest of the clock.

In the final game at Dignity Health Stadium, the Chargers now look ahead to the new Sofi Stadium. Oakland is somehow still alive in the playoff race but the Bolts have one last game to play before packing it in for the 2019 season. Without a win in the division so far, they will go 0-6 if they lose to the Chiefs.

It is tough to find motivation this late when you know there is not any postseason to play for, but the war cry for the Bolts this week should be to end the year with a victory inside Arrowhead Stadium. Losing twice to every single division opponent is not something a team wants to endure. If Anthony Lynn can get his guys to finish the season strong, they can avoid the goose egg in the division win column.

It has been a really weird season for the Chargers, with only one of their ten losses being more than seven points.  The offseason will probably be even weirder with the impending decision on Philip Rivers and his future most likely being the biggest headline. Before we get there though, there is still a game left to be played. Buckle up, it could be the last time we see Rivers.