Los Angeles Chargers coach Brandon Staley came under fire from fans after the team blew a 27-point lead and lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday night, 31-30, in their playoff matchup.
Staley conceded the shock loss in the postgame press conference and received a lot of support from quarterback Justin Herbert. The third-year quarterback seemed to speak for himself and the rest of the team when he expressed his support for Staley.
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Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert throws a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of a wild card playoff game, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023, in Jacksonville, Florida.
(AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
“We believe in Coach Staley,” Herbert said via NFL Network. “We believe in the front office.”
Herbert went 25-for-43 with 273 passing yards and a touchdown pass in the game. The touchdown pass went to Gerald Everett in the first half. Austin Ekeler scored two first-half touchdowns, but the Chargers only scored three second-half points and allowed 24.
“Obviously it was difficult for us,” Herbert said. “As an offense, we need to do more in the second half, and you know that falls on us offensively and as a quarterback. I needed to perform better.”
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) walks off the field after a wild card playoff loss against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023, in Jacksonville, Florida.
(AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
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“I have to give them more than three points in the second half, so I feel horrible for the defense for the incredible effort they put in today. But [we] We have to be better as a team.”
Staley has already been questioned about his play. The coach who usually goes for the 4th down didn’t go for it once in the game and opted for a Cameron Dicker field goal in the fourth quarter. But Herbert understood that the offensive fights also fell on his shoulders.
“As an offense, we need to move the ball better,” he said. “Through the air, on the ground, you just have to be able to move the chains, and we didn’t do that enough. We didn’t score enough in the red zone.”
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert throws a pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of a wild card playoff game, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023, in Jacksonville, Florida.
(AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
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“When we get three points in the second half as an offense, that’s up to us. Not executing, not converting on third down when we needed it, some penalties, but tough, tough.”
Associated Press contributed to this report.