The Los Angeles Chargers and Detroit Lions faced off in a back-and-forth game in Week 10.
While it looked like either team could pull off a victory, the Lions prevailed, winning 41-38.
The Lions’ offense was ultimately too much to handle for the Chargers, something head coach Brandon Staley recognized after the game.
According to the “Bolt Beat,” a Chargers news site, Staley said, “I didn’t do a good enough job for us on defense today.”
Brandon Staley on today’s defensive performance:
“Yeah, I didn’t do a good enough job for us on defense today. That was the story.”
— Bolt Beat (@BB_Chargers) November 13, 2023
Staley believed this was the difference between an emotional Chargers win and a devastating loss.
The Lions’ offense was responsible for 533 yards in this one, including a 333-yard passing performance from Jared Goff.
While Goff is a veteran quarterback with several big games in his career, this one must have hurt for Staley’s Chargers.
This game was an opportunity to get themselves over .500 on the year, a chance to reignite their playoff chances.
While they are not necessarily eliminated from the postseason at this point, their road just got a lot more difficult.
The Chargers are now in third place in their division, where the Kansas City Chiefs hold a commanding 7-2 record and a strong lead on the rest of their rivals.
Their next three games are against the Green Bay Packers, Baltimore Ravens, and New England Patriots.
The good thing for the Chargers is that the Packers and Patriots are struggling this year.
If they can capitalize on their collective downfalls, they could keep their postseason hopes alive.
That is, if Staley can help get his defense back on track.
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Chargers Are Dealing With Sudden Joey Bosa Issue