INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The Los Angeles Chargers faced a dismal end to their game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, culminating in a 40-17 defeat that saw Justin Herbert throw his first interception in three months late in the third quarter.
The game began with promise for the Chargers, who held a 17-13 lead at halftime. However, a brutal second half unfolded, marking their third loss in four games and highlighting their struggles as they aim for a stronger finish in their first season under head coach Jim Harbaugh.
“It’s tough to go through a game like this,” Herbert commented post-game. “We got beat badly, and we need to learn from this experience and ensure it doesn’t affect our next match.”
After a solid first half, the Chargers found themselves unable to contain Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers, who scored an overwhelming 30 points in the latter half of the game. The Tampa Bay offense, relentless in their approach, exploited the Chargers’ defense, which, despite being touted as one of the league’s top scoring defenses, surrendered season highs of 40 points and 506 yards.
Mayfield’s performance included 288 yards and four touchdowns, while the Buccaneers’ rushing attack was equally punishing, accumulating 223 yards on 39 carries. Throughout the match, Tampa scored on eight out of their first ten possessions, maintaining control without ever needing to punt.
Defensive back Derwin James voiced his frustrations, stating, “We didn’t perform adequately today defensively. They came at us hard, and we struggled to stop both the run and the pass. Today was definitely one of our worst matches as a secondary.”
The Chargers allowed over 500 total yards and more than 200 rushing yards in a game for just the seventh time in franchise history. Disturbingly, this occurrence has happened three times in the past four seasons, including a similar matchup against Mayfield in 2021, where they won an offensive shootout.
“When opponents rush for 200 yards against you, that’s an unsettling feeling,” lamented linebacker Khalil Mack. “It’s frustrating.”
This performance was a stark departure from the usual effectiveness of the Chargers’ defensive coordinator Jesse Minter’s unit, which had held their first nine opponents to fewer than 20 points each. However, recent games have seen three of their last five opponents surpass the 30-point mark.
Offensively, the Chargers fared no better, mustering only 64 yards during the second half and failing to score in the final 37 minutes. With key player J.K. Dobbins sidelined, the running game was ineffective. Additionally, Herbert, who is dealing with an ankle injury, struggled to make effective passes without a robust group of playmakers.
The interception that ended Herbert’s impressive streak at 357 pass attempts marked an unfortunate turning point in the game. Just when the Chargers were trailing by only six points, Herbert retreated into a collapsing pocket and threw a risky pass that was intercepted by Tampa Bay’s Jamel Dean.
“I always try to play fearlessly as a quarterback and take my shots,” Herbert stated. “But I need to be smarter in some situations and know when to throw it away. I can’t lose that aggressive mindset, but I should’ve handled that play better.”
The team is now looking ahead, recognizing the immediate need to move past this defeat. A challenging matchup against the Denver Broncos is on the horizon, with both teams vying for playoff positions.
Previously, the Chargers defeated the Broncos 23-17 in October, showcasing a strong lead before narrowly holding on for the victory. “Next week is a must-win,” James asserted emphatically. “It’s critical for our season, and I’m eager to prepare for it. Today just wasn’t our day.”
