Chargers coach Anthony Lynn is accustomed to receiving questions about why his team continues to lose double-digit leads.
Lynn hasn’t found the answers, with the Chargers losing 31-30 to the Denver Broncos on Sunday after building a 21-point advantage. The ongoing issue has now created other pressing questions for the Chargers’ four-year head coach.
“When you’re not winning, you should be, to be honest with you,” Lynn said when asked if he’s concerned about his job security. “But I don’t let that consume me. I’m never going to turn this around or do what I need to do here if that’s all I’m thinking about.”
Lynn displayed many emotions during his postgame news conference. He was disappointed for his players, apologetic to the fan base and frustrated when pressed about making coaching staff changes.
“Right now, it’s not time to make those changes because this is what we have,” Lynn said. “This is our staff. These are our players. Right now, what we gotta do as a group is figure this out. Why are we blowing these leads that we’re getting and why we’re not finishing games like we need to in the fourth quarter?
“What do you want to 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. We’re gonna have to figure this (expletive) out right now.”
Lynn made a change last season when he fired offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt halfway through a disappointing 5-11 season. When reminded about that, Lynn said, “Anything can be on the table.”
The Chargers’ recurring issues continued Sunday with conservative play-calling on offense and the defense unable to get stops when it mattered most.
The Chargers (2-5) became the first team in NFL history to blow leads of 16 points or more in four consecutive games. The Chargers are 3-14 in one-score games dating back to the start of last season.
Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Quinn lost his job earlier this season partly because his team struggled to close out games.
It would be a surprise if the Chargers decided to make such a drastic coaching change during the season. Lynn is admired by general manager Tom Telesco and owner Dean Spanos. He also deserves plenty of credit for having rookie quarterback Justin Herbert prepared.
But the Chargers’ inability to protect leads might be festering in the locker room. Players are at loss for words, especially in a game where they led in most statistical categories Sunday.
“Everything is on the positive side, so I don’t know how we get the (win),” Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen said. “I don’t know, I don’t know.”
When there are no answers that’s usually when the seat begins to get warm for the head coach.
“I know we can figure this out,” Lynn said. “I saw too much good on the football field. I saw these guys start fast like they’ve always done.”
GORDON GETS REVENGE
Broncos running back Melvin Gordon struggled against his former team, but he’s probably savoring the victory against the team that let him walk in free agency.
Gordon had eight carries for 26 yards and contributed six catches for 21 yards. Gordon also converted a crucial first down during the Broncos’ game-winning drive.
The Chargers held the Broncos to 2 rushing yards for nearly three quarters. Denver got the ground game going after Phillip Lindsay’s 55-yard rushing touchdown trimmed the Chargers’ lead 24-10 with 6:05 left in the third quarter.
The Chargers had arguably their best rushing performance of the season with 210 yards. Justin Jackson had a team-high 89 yards and Troymaine Pope contributed 67 yards.
The Broncos lost the rushing-total battle with 108 yards, but Gordon was the one who left with a smile.
BOSA EXITS GAME
The Chargers didn’t have their best pass rusher during the Broncos’ fourth-quarter rally. Joey Bosa left the game because he was evaluated for a concussion.
Lynn didn’t provide an update on Bosa after the game.
Anthony Lynn’s job security in question after Chargers’ latest blown lead posted first on https://anaheimsignsorangecounty.blogspot.com
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