Chargers Fall to 0-6; Jim Harbaugh Won't Commit to Mike McDaniel Calling Plays
Update: the Chargers lost 22-6 at Kansas City to fall to 0-6 for the first time since 2000. Asked if Mike McDaniel will keep calling plays, Jim Harbaugh said, "We're going to look at everything."
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.
What changed after Week 6?
Harbaugh stopped short of repeating that McDaniel's job is safe. "We have to address everything, and especially offensively," he said after a season-low six points and 259 yards. "The job I'm doing, it starts with me." Justin Herbert threw a league-high eighth interception, the line started four rookies for a second straight week, and Ladd McConkey left with a concussion in his return from a foot injury. The Chargers average 15 points a game, 30th in the league, and have lost 11 straight.
Players in this story
Sources
- ESPN: Chargers' Harbaugh laments momentum-swinging 4th-down call
- ESPN: Harbaugh mum on McDaniel, says Chargers need 'to address everything'
Los Angeles Chargers betting odds
Super Bowl futures, win totals & where to bet
FanDuel Sportsbook: Get $200 in Bonus Bets When You Wager $5 for 4 Days. New customers only. Sign up for FanDuel Sportsbook, verify your account, and make a deposit of at least $5. Place a single online real-money wager of $5+ between 3 AM ET and 11:59 PM ET each day for 4 consecutive days starting from your first eligible wager. Maximum bonus of $50 per day ($200 total). Bonus issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets that expire 7 days after receipt. The 4-day period begins once you're opted in to the promotion. Eligibility and state restrictions apply. See the current offer and full terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com.
21+ and present in select states. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). FanDuel is offering online sports wagering in Kansas under an agreement with Kansas Star Casino, LLC. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, KY, MI, NJ, OH, PA, IL, TN, VA, VT), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-522-4700 (WY), or visit www.1800gambler.net (WV).
Fanatics Sportsbook: Up to $1,000 in FanCash Matched Bets. New customers in AZ, CO, CT, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV or WY. Apply the promotion in your bet slip and place a $1+ cash wager (min odds -200) daily for 10 consecutive days starting the day of account creation. FanCash rewards equal the qualifying wager amount (max $100 FanCash per day). FanCash issued under this promotion expires at 11:59 p.m. ET 7 days from issuance. Terms, including FanCash terms, apply - see the Fanatics Sportsbook app.
21+ and present in a state where Fanatics Sportsbook operates. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Touchdown Week may earn a commission when you sign up through our links, at no cost to you. Please bet responsibly.
