Chargers

The Jaguars have four players on their team that used to be Cardinals.

After seven seasons with the Cardinals, he was an in-season signing for the Jags. He signed a big contract with the Jaguars last offseason and had a career season. Kirk was drafted by the Cardinals and played four seasons for them.

The NFL wild-card weekend rolls along Saturday night with the Jaguars hosting the Chargers in the 4 seed-5 seed matchup of the AFC playoffs.

The AFC side features two matchups between divisional opponents, as the Bills host the Dolphins and the Bengals host the Ravens. Here’s a rundown of the leading candidates, and why they deserve the distinction of Coach of the Year. Most seasons, by the time December rolls around, it’s pretty clear who truly deserves consideration as Coach of the Year. Is Mahomes’ regular season EPA rate a good omen heading into the postseason? 1 seed in the AFC and the betting favorite to win Super Bowl LVII. After 18 weeks and 17 games, the NFL regular season has come to an end. His alignment with first-year head coach Doug Pederson has been a significant catalyst in his growth and the team’s sudden success. 1 pick in the 2021 draft took off as the Jaguars won seven of their last nine games, and he is validating the hype as the best QB prospect of the last decade. In reality, though, Kirk has lived up to a four-year, $72 million deal that ranks 19th at his position in average annual value, according to Over The Cap. But Allen has battled injuries all year and will now not have the benefit of Willims drawing attention away from him. The next-best trio, by record, lost 25 percent of the time. [NFL](https://theathletic.com/nfl/) wild-card weekend rolls along Saturday night with the [Jaguars hosting the Chargers](https://theathletic.com/nfl/game/jacksonville-jaguars-vs-los-angeles-chargers/Ezxg4KqzvUgQQfqw/) in the 4 seed-5 seed matchup of the AFC playoffs.

Five player prop bet picks for the Saturday night playoff game between the Chargers and Jaguars.

If there’s one thing the Jaguars defense struggled with more than covering running backs in the passing game, it’s covering tight ends. Lawrence threw for more than 250 yards eight times during the 2022 season, but needed at least 37 attempts in all of those performances. Hasty has been a steady part of the Jaguars offense since James Robinson was traded to the New York Jets in October. While Jacksonville loves to pass to set up the run, Lawrence’s worlload looks likelier to be 30 or so pass attempts on Saturday rather than 40. Still, the Jaguars have been susceptible to running backs picking up chunks in the pass game. Jacksonville’s unlikely run to reach the postseason was capped last week with a fifth straight win that earned the team the AFC South crown.

IMO Seau and LT are obvious. IMO you guys are short-changing Alworth big time.He played 136 regular season and 7 playoff games in 11 seasons (1962-1972).

But I would point out a big point that gets overlooked when people talk about Rivers for the HOF — Rivers played for the collective worst set of NFL head coaches of any QB in history who warranted serious QB consideration: Schottenheimer (1 as a starter), Norv (6), McCoy (4), Lynn (4), Reich (1). I love Gates and WInslow, but I can’t choose either of them over the best QB in Chargers history. None of the players named in this thread other than Seau had more than 3 1st team All Pro selections (Seau had 6). It is difficult to fairly compare QBs of different eras, i.e., to compare Rivers and Fouts. Alworth led the league in major categories in a season 9 times: receptions (3), receiving yards (3), receiving TDs (3). When Alworth retired after the 1972 season, he ranked very high in the major receiving categories: receptions (4), receiving yards (2), and receiving TDs (3).

The Los Angeles Chargers will be without a key playmaker in Saturday's AFC Wild Card game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, thanks to a terrible decision.

5 seed, having already clinched a better AFC record and thus the tiebreaker over the Ravens for the top Wild Card spot. [AFC Wild Card opponent would be the Jacksonville Jaguars](https://blackandteal.com/2023/01/13/longtime-nbc-announcer-returning-jaguars-chargers-playoff-game/). 6 seed in the AFC playoffs.

The football shaped Bolt donuts stuffed with Bavarian cream are available for $3.70 each while supplies last at Randy's Donuts Inglewood location only.

for more features. Thanks for reading CBS NEWS.

The NFL wild-card weekend rolls along Saturday night with the Jaguars hosting the Chargers in the 4 seed-5 seed matchup of the AFC playoffs.

The AFC side features two matchups between divisional opponents, as the Bills host the Dolphins and the Bengals host the Ravens. Here’s a rundown of the leading candidates, and why they deserve the distinction of Coach of the Year. Is Mahomes’ regular season EPA rate a good omen heading into the postseason? 1 seed in the AFC and the betting favorite to win Super Bowl LVII. After 18 weeks and 17 games, the NFL regular season has come to an end. His alignment with first-year head coach Doug Pederson has been a significant catalyst in his growth and the team’s sudden success. 1 pick in the 2021 draft took off as the Jaguars won seven of their last nine games, and he is validating the hype as the best QB prospect of the last decade. In reality, though, Kirk has lived up to a four-year, $72 million deal that ranks 19th at his position in average annual value, according to Over The Cap. But Allen has battled injuries all year and will now not have the benefit of Willims drawing attention away from him. The next-best trio, by record, lost 25 percent of the time. That’s the most such playoff teams in a single season in NFL history. [NFL](https://theathletic.com/nfl/) wild-card weekend rolls along Saturday night with the [Jaguars hosting the Chargers](https://theathletic.com/nfl/game/jacksonville-jaguars-vs-los-angeles-chargers/Ezxg4KqzvUgQQfqw/) in the 4 seed-5 seed matchup of the AFC playoffs.

Mike Tierney released his NFL picks and NFL predictions for Jacksonville vs. Los Angeles in the NFL playoffs 2023.

- Jaguars vs. Jaguars picks, all from the expert who is 33-14 on picks involving the Jaguars](https://www.sportsline.com/insiders/chargers-vs-jaguars-game-line-odds-jacksonville-expert-releases-pick-for-nfl-wild-card-showdown/#ttag=01102023_agg_cbssports_picks_football_nfl_miketierney_JaguarsChargersExpert), and find out. [NFL playoffs](/nfl/standings/playoffrace/) 2023? 24 or worse in total defense (353.3 yards allowed per game), passing defense (238.5 yards allowed per game), third down efficiency allowed (43.2%), and red zone efficiency allowed (59.6%). Jacksonville is excellent through the air on offense behind quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who has 15 passing touchdowns and only two interceptions in the last nine games. Jacksonville is in the top 12 in allowing fewer than 21 points per game, and is in the top five with 27 takeaways and a 14.4% turnover creation rate. Jaguars](https://www.sportsline.com/nfl/game-forecast/NFL_20230114_LAC@JAC/) and just locked in his picks and NFL playoff predictions. Quarterback Justin Herbert became the third quarterback in history to throw at least 25 passing touchdowns in each of his first three seasons. Now, here are several [NFL odds](https://www.sportsline.com/nfl/odds/) betting lines and trends for Chargers vs. [You can head to SportsLine now to see his picks](https://www.sportsline.com/insiders/chargers-vs-jaguars-game-line-odds-jacksonville-expert-releases-pick-for-nfl-wild-card-showdown/#ttag=01102023_agg_cbssports_picks_football_nfl_miketierney_JaguarsChargersExpert). Before you make any Chargers vs. In the process, Jacksonville became only the third team in NFL history to make the NFL playoff bracket after starting 2-6.

The Los Angeles Chargers kick off their Wild Card playoff game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday, Jan. 14 at 5:15 p.m. PT.

Besides the built-up momentum, the playoff meeting between the Bolts and Jacksonville is a tale of two young franchise quarterbacks. Although it’ll be a close game, I’m taking the Chargers to come out on top because Herbert has been under head coach Brandon Staley’s scheme longer than Lawrence has been under Doug Pederson’s scheme. The duel between Justin Herbert and Trevor Lawrence is bound to deliver, even with Herbert facing an uphill battle with Mike Williams out. Ultimately, I think this game will involve a ton of flashy plays from two of the best young quarterbacks in the league. Jacksonville’s defense plays man coverage more than most teams in the league. Herbert is far more effective against man coverage (fifth in expected points per play vs.

A pair of hairdos take centerstage on Saturday night, when Justin Herbert and the Chargers take on Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars in Jacksonville in the AFC's ...

[Buy tickets](https://www.ticketsmarter.com/sports/football/nfl?utm_source=sportingnews.com&utm_medium=inarticlelink&utm_campaign=tsn) [fuboTV](https://www.fubo.tv/stream/nfl/?irad=356362&irmp=1131770&sharedID=editorial) [Buy tickets](https://www.ticketsmarter.com/sports/football/nfl?utm_source=sportingnews.com&utm_medium=inarticlelink&utm_campaign=tsn) [fuboTV](https://www.fubo.tv/stream/nfl/?irad=356362&irmp=1131770&sharedID=editorial) [Buy tickets](https://www.ticketsmarter.com/sports/football/nfl?utm_source=sportingnews.com&utm_medium=inarticlelink&utm_campaign=tsn) [Buy tickets](https://www.ticketsmarter.com/sports/football/nfl?utm_source=sportingnews.com&utm_medium=inarticlelink&utm_campaign=tsn) [fuboTV](https://www.fubo.tv/stream/nfl/?irad=356362&irmp=1131770&sharedID=editorial) [Buy tickets](https://www.ticketsmarter.com/sports/football/nfl?utm_source=sportingnews.com&utm_medium=inarticlelink&utm_campaign=tsn) [Buy tickets](https://www.ticketsmarter.com/sports/football/nfl?utm_source=sportingnews.com&utm_medium=inarticlelink&utm_campaign=tsn) Fox Sports app, Fox - Start time: 8:15 p.m. Start time ET, 5:15 p.m. [DAZN (Canada)](http://prf.hn/click/camref:1100lfPvV) They're set to kick off at 8:15 p.m. ET (5:15 p.m. Here's how to catch the wild-card matchup:

Follow along for live in-game updates of the Los Angeles Chargers at Jacksonville Jaguars Wild Card Round matchup.

- 5:22 pm: Chargers take advantage of the early takeaway with an Austin Ekeler touchdown. Jaguars](https://www.si.com/nfl/chargers/news/chargers-jaguars-mike-williams-back-injury-news) - 5:40 pm: How about this start for the Chargers? Five minutes in and the Chargers have picked off Lawrence twice. picks off Trevor Lawrence as he forces a pass to beat the blitz. - Score Update: Chargers 7, Jaguars 0 - 5:15 pm: The Chargers won the toss and defer to the second half. - Score Update: Chargers 10, Jaguars 0 - Score Update: Chargers 17, Jaguars 0 This page will undergo updates in real time with information and analysis. - Score Update: Chargers 24, Jaguars 0 - 6:23 pm: Asante Samuel Jr.

The Los Angeles Chargers and Jacksonville Jaguars are battling from TIAA Bank Stadium, as the first day of Super Wild Card Weekend wraps up.

Follow along in the live blog below, as we break down this matchup as it happens. The former No. It's been all Chargers so far, as Brandon Staley's squad secured a 27-7 halftime lead.

The Jaguars' first home playoff game since 2018 has been a crashing disappointment. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw three interceptions in the first ...

It was Herbert’s first touchdown pass of the game as the Chargers’ first two trips to the end zone came on [Austin Ekeler](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/football/nfl/player/9043/austin-ekeler) runs. [Justin Herbert](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/football/nfl/player/49430/justin-herbert) hit tight end [Gerald Everett](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/football/nfl/player/9289/gerald-everett) for a nine-yard touchdown with just over seven minutes left to play in the first half to stretch Los Angeles’ lead to 24-0 in Jacksonville. [Trevor Lawrence](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/football/nfl/player/63171/trevor-lawrence) threw three interceptions in the first quarter to help the Chargers open up a three-score lead and the deficit kept growing in the third quarter.

The Chargers final injury report featured wide receiver Mike Williams as the only players to receive a game designation. However, the significance of not ...

Jaguars](https://www.si.com/nfl/chargers/news/chargers-jaguars-mike-williams-back-injury-news) - WR Mike Williams The Chargers final injury report featured wide receiver Mike Williams as the only players to receive a game designation.

The playoff debuts for quarterbacks Justin Herbert and Trevor Lawrence got off to very different starts. By Mike Gavin • Published 50 mins ago • Updated 46 ...

Lawrence finally got the Jaguars on the board late in the second, finding Evan Engram for a nine-yard touchdown pass to cut the deficit to 27-7. The Jaguars are hosting just the fifth playoff game in franchise history, and first in 23 seasons. That led to a 23-yard field goal by Dicker to increase the lead to 27-0. Samuel picked Lawrence on the next drive, but the Chargers' offense was unable to capitalize. 1 overall pick in the 2021 draft, and Herbert, the sixth overall pick in the 2020 draft, got off to very different starts. Lawrence threw four interceptions in the first half - three by Asante Samuel Jr.

Here are the Los Angeles Chargers' first-half highlights from Saturday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw four interceptions, Austin Ekeler scored two touchdowns and the Chargers are blowing the Jaguars out in Jacksonville.

Lawrence finished the half 10-of-24 for 77 yards while [Justin Herbert](https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/football/nfl/player/49430/justin-herbert) is 15-of-24 for 139 yards and a touchdown in his postseason debut. Barring a major turnaround by the Jaguars, however, the Chargers aren’t going to need him. It’s 27-7 at halftime with a trip to the divisional round waiting for the winning side.

It was at that time that the Jaguars capped off a 14-play, 89-yard drive with a Trevor Lawrence touchdown pass to Marvin Jones Jr. to make it a 27-14 game, ...

-- The Jaguars have continued to drive, now at the Chargers 34, and they went for it on fourth-and-7. -- The Chargers are continuing to move the ball well, now at the Jaguars 10-yard line following a side-arm pass from Herbert to Allen. The Jaguars have to find a way to open them up. -- The Jaguars defense stepped up in a big way there with a three-and-out for the Chargers offense. -- The Chargers take what probably should have been a free play and pick up another 13 yards to Joshua Palmer on a comeback route down to the Jaguars 8. -- Jamal Agnew tries to give the Jaguars a boost there, with a good return up to midfield. Following a punt forced by the Jaguars defense, Jacksonville muffs the punt as a player got hit on the helmet, and the Jaguars have it first and goal. -- The Chargers take a knee to kill the clock and head to the locker room up 27-7. Out of the shotgun, the Jaguars miss to Zay Jones, and it will stay a 10-point game. -- The Jaguars stack up the Chargers on the stretch run, and the Chargers will let the game clock run to triple zeroes going into the fourth quarter. -- On an incredible call, the Jaguars forgo the sneak for a split-I call to Etienne. The Chargers were offside, and the Jaguars decline.

The best Super Wild Card Weekend bets for Los Angeles at Jacksonville.

He's hit this number in three out of the past four games. The model enters Super Wild Card Weekend in the 2023 [NFL playoffs](/nfl/standings/playoffrace/) on an incredible 161-113 run on top-rated NFL picks that dates back to the 2017 season. 1 seed [Kansas City Chiefs](https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/teams/KC/kansas-city-chiefs/). We can tell you the model is leaning Over the total, but to see everything the model has to say, He threw three against the Chargers earlier this year. It is also on a 15-6 roll on top-rated NFL picks since Week 7 of this season. He entered the 2022 NFL season 232-204-10 against-the-spread since the start of the 2018 season. The Jaguars dominated the Chargers in blowing them out in Week 3, but this will be a lot closer. "This is a game featuring two of the best young quarterback in the league. Justin Herbert might throw for 500 yards on Saturday and that's because he'll be going up against a Jaguars defense that has surrendered the fifth-most passing yards in the [Justin Herbert](/nfl/players/2221960/justin-herbert/) and [Trevor Lawrence](/nfl/players/2967185/trevor-lawrence/) battled in Week 3 earlier this year, with the Jaguars leaving California with a 38-10 victory. [Los Angeles Chargers](https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/teams/LAC/los-angeles-chargers/) and [Jacksonville Jaguars](https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/teams/JAC/jacksonville-jaguars/) will face off on Super Wild Card Weekend on Saturday night, as the two will battle for a potential date with the No.

The Jacksonville Jaguars defeated the Los Angeles Chargers to advance to the AFC Divisional Round for the first time since the 2017 season.

[suffered a back injury](https://www.nfl.com/news/chargers-wr-mike-williams-back-downgraded-to-out-for-wild-card-game-vs-jaguars)causing him to miss the wild-card game. [Mike Williams](https://www.nfl.com/players/mike-williams/)(back), the offense was once again restricted. bought the inside run, and [Travis Etienne](https://www.nfl.com/players/travis-etienne/)dashed to the edge for a [25-yard gain](https://www.nfl.com/videos/travis-etienne-reaches-corner-for-25-yards-on-fourth-and-1)setting up the game-winning field goal. Tight end [Gerald Everett](https://www.nfl.com/players/gerald-everett/)led the way with 109 yards receiving and a TD. Instead of going for it on fourth-and-3 late to build a bigger lead and burn clock, the former face of going-for-it elected a field goal that, even if made, would have turned a 10-point lead into 13. The second-year corner was a menace in the first half, bullying Jaguars receivers and sniping passes. [Cameron Dicker](https://www.nfl.com/players/cameron-dicker/)missed a field goal with just under nine minutes remaining, breathing more life into the Jags' comeback. Lawrence [dove into the end zone for the conversion](https://www.nfl.com/videos/trevor-lawrence-s-airborne-two-point-stretch-cuts-bolts-lead-to-two-points-late-)to cut the deficit to two. The first came on a ball that was batted twice at the line. For a young quarterback to stare disaster in the eyes and overcome them portends big things for the former No. The Jags scored TDs on their first three drives of the second half. After a late touchdown cut the deficit to 30-26, Pederson elected to go for 2 points after a [Joey Bosa](https://www.nfl.com/players/joey-bosa/)unsportsmanlike conduct placed the ball at the 1-yard line.

The Chargers didn't get any points, but the penalty let them burn another five minutes of clock.

Trevor Lawrence saw his first NFL playoff action on Saturday night against the Los Angeles Chargers. It did not get off to the best start.

Jacksonville would finally reach the end zone before halftime, cutting the Los Angeles lead to 27-7 on a Lawrence touchdown pass to Engram. With the Jaguars now trailing by 24, Lawrence tries to squeeze in a throw on 3rd and 10 to Engram. Lawrence was not the only Jacksonville player turning the ball over, however. Lawrence tries to throw a crosser, and Samuel just reads the quarterback’s eyes and jumps the route: This is a great design to throw against man coverage, which Lawrence expects given the presnap indicator. The teams would then trade punts on the next two drives, setting the stage for the third interception of the first half from Lawrence. One such way is when a defense will have a defender trail a receiver who goes in motion before the snap. Jacksonville got a little offense going on their next possession, but faced a fourth down in Los Angeles territory. was, well, a little physical at the top of this route from the receiver. Joey Bosa tips the ball as well, before it settles into the waiting arms of linebacker Drue Tranquill. The Jaguars offense was on the field to start the game, and on the second play from scrimmage, Jacksonville dialed up a run/pass option design. Defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day gets a hand on the throw, tipping it into the air.

The Jacksonville Jaguars pummeled the Los Angeles Chargers 38-10 in a late September regular-season game. In January, the Jaguars rallied back from a 27-0 ...

Lawrence’s second-half performance was a demonstration of why he was such a highly-touted quarterback coming out of Clemson and why the Jaguars selected No. Just to have the resiliency, the fight, the desire and the ability to continue to play. Lawrence and the Jaguars showed tremendous resilience in the second half. 1 overall in the 2021 NFL draft. "I wouldn’t have been able to do what I did today and what the offense was able to do to bounce back and also the defense, if we didn’t believe in one another. "I threw four picks in the first half and those guys beside me on offense and the guys on the other side of the ball never lost faith in me. He didn’t flinch, kept his composure, delivered timely and accurate passes and played turnover-free football in the second half. But he’ll be the first one to tell you that it’s not about him. But Lawrence’s ability to bounce back from a nightmarish first half was a tremendous display of resiliency. The Jaguars were down 27-0 late in the second quarter and trailed 27-7 at halftime after committing five total turnovers in the first two quarters. When you know you have guys who believe in you no matter what the circumstances are.” The Jaguars quarterback

Justin Herbert doesn't deserve this Wild Card game meltdown to the Jaguars, but it just keeps happening to the Chargers.

It took the Jaguars just five plays on their next drive to find the end zone off a blown coverage by the Chargers that ended in a 39-yard touchdown to a wide open Marvin Jones. The Jaguars ran out the clock before hitting a walk-off field goal to send the Chargers home On the Jaguars fourth drive of the game, Lawrence threw his third interception of the game, his second to Samuel, deep inside Jaguars territory. Both teams traded three-and-outs on their next drives with the Chargers’ third down failing on a second pass batted at the line by the Jaguars defensive line. After a short pass to Donald Parham, Austin Ekeler took it in for the game’s first touchdown with his 14th rushing touchdown on the season. The Chargers did everything they needed to do to coast to a victory on Saturday night.

Get a recap of the Los Angeles Chargers vs. Jacksonville Jaguars football game.

But he was the steady hand in charge after a debacle of a first half. It capped a 27-point comeback, the largest in franchise history and the third largest in playoff history. Teams with that turnover deficit had been 0-19 in the Super Bowl era. Lawrence was downright dreadful to begin Jacksonville’s first playoff game since losing in the 2017 AFC title game. He finished 28-of-47 passing for 288 yards, a shocker considering the way he started. Or the third. The No. Or the second. The Jaguars (10-8) won their sixth consecutive game and fifth straight at home — all five in come-from-behind fashion. Or even the fourth. "We said in the locker room that’s kind of how our season’s going. We’re never out of the fight.

Union-Tribune columnist Nick Canepa grades the Chargers after their 31-30 loss Saturday night at the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Joe Lombardi calling a jet sweep on third-and-short was so stupid he was sent to the principal’s office. stepped in front of receivers and got the second and third picks of the first quarter, and then picked another, then got a hand on a large two-point pass. He also lost a timeout on a hopeless challenge. Ja’Sir Taylor matadored a tackle and had a PI. Tranquil had that first INT, then lost the tight end on a big catch. The first time Austin “T.D.” Ekeler touched the ball he ran 13 yards for a score.

Will Sean Payton be the next head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers? That's the question seemingly on everyone's mind as the Jacksonville Jaguars eliminated ...

There is no way Brandon Staley can keep his job after blowing this lead. [January 15, 2023] Sean Payton wants the Chargers job. It feels like only a matter of time before both sides begin exchanging pleasantries. Jacksonville’s game-winning field goal kick hadn’t even finished sailing through the uprights before hundreds of messages erupted on social media congratulating Payton on being hired by the Chargers. coach Brandon Staley’s job status in jeopardy.

The NFL playoffs began Saturday as the 49ers beat the Seahawks. The Jaguars took down the Chargers with a last-minute field goal.

Saturday night may have topped them all. — The tortured history of the Los Angeles Chargers ran headlong Saturday night into The Chargers have endured playoff heartbreaks so ingrained they require only one image to open the wounds: Nate Kaeding’s shank, Marlon McCree’s fumble, Philip Rivers’s torn ACL.

Head coach Brandon Staley had all the momentum to keep his job, then he blew it and a 27-0 lead.

Was talking to Drue Tranquill in the locker room last week, and he was lamenting not getting an INT in the regular season. Not so the case on Saturday as Everett was Justin Herbert’s star weapon against the Jaguars, finishing with six catches for 109 yards and a touchdown. Given the history of the Chargers, it is a wonder if something was in the air on Saturday night that seeped into Dicker’s kick just as he started his backswing. They are the only two players to ever intercept more than two passes in a playoff game. The Chargers only even managed to score 30 points in large thanks to the first half performance by the defense. On the same night that Dicker was good from 50, he also pushed a 40-yarder left that absolutely had to go in. Staley’s defense was then torched for a 68-yard touchdown drive, a 70-yard touchdown drive, and the game-winning 61-yard field goal drive that included a fourth-and-one conversion by Travis Etienne. I know that Staley had the support of a lot of Chargers fans going into the game. Staley had a 27-point lead, then a 30-14 lead with 2:58 remaining in the third quarter. In a game in which Asante Samuel had three interceptions and Justin Herbert played solid football at the quarterback position, LA found a way to lose. With a 27-0 first half lead, including four interceptions by the defense off of Trevor Lawrence, Staley had all the momentum in the world to quiet talk of firing him after some questionable Week 18 decisions and to try and hire Sean Payton as his replacement. But after snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, Staley is not one of them.

During the pregame show prior to tonight's Chargers-Jaguars playoff game, I said that folks around the league werevery curious as to whether the Chargers or ...

And that may be all the more reason to do it. Here’s the question. Will ownership move on from Staley, and will they cough up the cash necessary to bring Payton to town?

Jaguars game-winning field goal completes comeback against Chargers on Saturday night.

grabbing three of four interceptions Lawrence threw in the first half and running back [Austin Ekeler](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/3068267/austin-ekeler) converting two of those takeaways into touchdowns, quickly silencing an amped-up TIAA Bank Field crowd and enabling the Chargers to take a 27-7 lead into halftime. But the Jaguars responded with a run of their own, scoring a touchdown to close out the first half and then adding 24 more points for a historic comeback. His first pass was intercepted and he would go on to throw three more in the half, which made him the third quarterback in the Super Bowl era to throw four interceptions in the first half of a playoff game (Gary Danielson and Craig Morton were the others). But that went out the window with the big deficit, though the Jaguars did try to run the ball between the tackles occasionally in the second half while going to the hurry-up offense. Lawrence became the first quarterback in the Super Bowl era to throw three interceptions in the first quarter of a playoff game, and at points in the first half had passer ratings of 0.0 and 0.6. They got a short field on two of Lawrence's four interceptions, and the Jaguars managed to pressure Herbert on only four of his dropbacks. Indeed, nothing went right for the Jaguars in the first 30 minutes. The Jaguars won that game 62-7 and sent Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino into retirement. It was the third-largest comeback in playoff history. [Trevor Lawrence](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4360310/trevor-lawrence) throwing four interceptions in the first half -- including three in the first quarter -- and then the Jaguars rallying from a 27-0 deficit to beat the [Los Angeles Chargers](/nfl/team/_/name/lac/los-angeles-chargers) on [Riley Patterson](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4243371/riley-patterson)'s last-second 36-yard field goal? [Justin Herbert](https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/_/id/4038941/justin-herbert) completed 15 of 24 passes for 139 yards in the first half. [Los Angeles Chargers](/nfl/team/_/name/lac/los-angeles-chargers) saw their postseason disintegrate in the second half as the [Jacksonville Jaguars](/nfl/team/_/name/jax/jacksonville-jaguars) stormed back for a 31-30 victory Saturday night.

The Jacksonville Jaguars came all the way back from one of the worst starts to a playoff game you'll ever see, with Trevor Lawrence shaking off four early ...

To recap the AFC Wild Card bout between Los Angeles and Jacksonville, here is everything to know. It was over when... Riley Patterson made the 36- ...

Taylor also had a bad missed tackle of Marvin Jones and a pass interference penalty that kept Jacksonville’s drive alive in the fourth quarter. was a bright spot on the defense. - Quarterback Justin Herbert finished the game 25-of-43 passing for 273 yards and a touchdown. - Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson made the precise adjustments, and his team executed. Jacksonville had back-to-back-to-back touchdowns to cut its deficit to two points after a successful two-point conversion, and Patterson’s field goal as time expired sealed the deal. - It was a tale of two halves.

The Chargers held a 27-point lead but played a horrible second half and lost their wild-card playoff game on a last-second field goal, 31-30, ...

As a team, the Chargers finished with 67 yards in 23 carries, an average of 2.9 per attempt. Bosa slammed his helmet to the turf. Tight end Gerald Everett had six receptions for 109 yards and a touchdown. After a pause, he added: “I don’t know. That moment helped swing the game with Jacksonville scoring two more touchdowns in the third quarter on Lawrence passes to Marvin Jones Jr. “Everybody likes to say it’s part of the business, but you’re up four touchdowns, you’re supposed to win. “We can’t lose our composure like that,” Staley said. “As the quarterback, I need to perform better. I feel horrible for the defense.” We just didn’t do that.” Lawrence hit Evan Engram for a nine-yard score with 24 seconds left before halftime. The 14-play drive also consumed 53 yards as the Chargers converted a third and nine (on a Herbert scramble of 13 yards) and a third and four (on a Herbert pass to Keenan Allen for six yards).

The infraction from the Chargers defensive end helped Jacksonville in its come-from-behind victory.

As a result, Lawrence snuck the ball into the end zone, cutting the Jaguars’ deficit to 30–28. That’s until Jags head coach Doug Pederson put together a master class in play calling and Trevor Lawrence redeemed himself in the second half after throwing four interceptions in the first 30 minutes of action. Los Angeles led 27–7 at halftime and appeared to be on its way to the AFC divisional round after a strong first-half performance.

Riley Patterson kicked a 36-yard field goal as time expired and the Jacksonville Jaguars recovered from a 27-point deficit to post a dramatic 31-30 victory ...

"Coach believed in me on that fourth-and-1 to give me the ball and to make something happen for my teammates." Samuel recorded his first pick with 10:02 left in the quarter, setting up Dicker's 22-yard field goal. Lawrence's nightmare first half began with an interception in which two Chargers deflected the ball before it was grabbed by Drue Tranquill. "We didn't play a good second half of football as a team," Chargers coach Brandon Staley said. Dicker's 23-yard field goal made it 27-0 with 4:25 remaining. intercepted three passes and Austin Ekeler rushed for two touchdowns for the fifth-seeded Chargers. Jacksonville's Trevor Lawrence overcame four first-half interceptions to throw for 288 yards and four touchdowns to lead his team to the third-largest comeback victory in postseason history. Justin Herbert passed for 273 yards and one touchdown, Gerald Everett caught six passes for 109 yards and Cameron Dicker kicked three field goals. He set up Patterson's winning kick by breaking loose for a 25-yard gain on fourth-and-1 to the Los Angeles 16-yard line. rushed for 109 yards for the fourth-seeded Jaguars. We know we are always counted out of these games. We just kept believing in each other.

The Chargers had built a commanding 27-0 lead in the first half, backed by four interceptions off Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

"I think he felt like there were a bunch of things that kind of accumulated throughout the game and tried to talk through it with the officials," Staley said of Bosa. Jacksonville converted the two-point that made it a 30-28 game – just one drive before hitting the game-winning field goal. Staley emphasized after the game just how crushing the penalties were that allowed Jacksonville additional opportunities. We just didn't play a good second half of football in any phase. Ultimately, this game was a tale of two halves. In the second half, we just didn't finish the game. Unfortunately, this is the tough side of things." He pointed to his team's inconsistent tackling, allowing explosive plays and not remaining discipline that led to the late-game collapse. "It was frustrating," Staley said of the team's rushing performance. "Anytime you're up 27-7 at halftime and you've got four takeaways and you end up winning the takeaway margin, it's going to be a killer," Chargers coach Brandon Staley said after his team's Wild Card Round loss. "Certainly with the way we started the game, that's the team that I know that we're capable of being. "A tough go for us.

The Chargers will want to quickly forget about their playoff loss to the Jaguars, but the ramifications could be big for the players and Brandon Staley.

The first half was as thorough a throttling as we’ve seen in a long time. His team was in a sneak formation but got the ball to him on the outside for a huge gain. The game was a goner. The 6-foot-6 Lawrence jutting his right arm across the goal line for a two-point conversion that put his team in position to win the game with a field goal. Jaguars running back Travis Etienne running around the edge for 25 yards on a fourth and one on the winning drive. [31-30 loss](https://www.latimes.com/sports/chargers/story/2023-01-14/chargers-blow-27-point-lead-jaguars-nfl-playoffs-recap) to the Jacksonville Jaguars to the chant of “Duuuval,” a haunting refrain in reference to the local county that surely echoed in their heads all the way back to the West Coast. Those are merely footnotes when it comes to the Jaw-dropper in Jacksonville. This is the toughest way to lose, in the playoffs.” One play at a time, all the way down the field. It’s going to be one play at a time.’ That’s what it took. “I knew it was going to take a lot to turn it around. [Chargers coach Brandon Staley](https://www.latimes.com/sports/chargers/story/2023-01-13/chargers-at-jacksonville-afc-wild-card-playoff-preview) already was under heavy scrutiny for playing his starters deep into a meaningless finale at Denver, a move that cost the team [star receiver Mike Williams](https://www.latimes.com/sports/chargers/story/2023-01-13/chargers-receiver-mike-williams-ruled-out-wildcard-game-against-jaguars).

Jacksonville completed one of the largest comebacks in NFL history on Saturday night.

[Josh Palmer](/nfl/players/2867325/josh-palmer/) down the field on third-and-3. Staley opted for a 40-yard field goal, which [Cameron Dicker](/nfl/players/2961997/cameron-dicker/) pulled wide to the left. [FOUR](https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/jaguars-trevor-lawrence-has-historically-bad-start-to-nfl-playoff-debut-with-three-first-quarter-picks/) [Trevor Lawrence](/nfl/players/2967185/trevor-lawrence/) passes in the first half. After taking their 27-0 lead, for example, the Chargers actually had a higher dropback rate (75%) than did the Jaguars (70%). Lawrence saw an opening for a jump-sneak and thrust the ball over the goal line while leaping in the air, making it a two-point game. That's 335 yards on 45 plays (7.4 per play), which combined to take 17:27 off the clock and yield 31 points. [Christian Kirk](/nfl/players/2180820/christian-kirk/) that pulled the Jags within four points. That's a total of 144 yards on 34 plays (4.2 per play), which combined to take 15:27 off the clock and yield just three points. The Chargers as a whole gained 19 yards on 10 rushing attempts after taking their 27-0 advantage. Lawrence was picked off by [Drue Tranquill](/nfl/players/2142299/drue-tranquill/) in the second play of the game, then by [Asante Samuel Jr](/nfl/players/2967549/asante-samuel-jr/). Los Angeles turned those four picks into 24 points, then added a field goal -- which came courtesy of a muffed punt, and after [Justin Herbert](/nfl/players/2221960/justin-herbert/) missed a wide-open [Keenan Allen](/nfl/players/1737096/keenan-allen/) in the end zone for what should have been a surefire touchdown -- to extend the lead to four scores with 4:25 remaining in the first half. After leading, 27-0, at one point during the first half, the Chargers went home on the losing end of a humiliating 31-30 defeat.

Riley Patterson kicked a 36-yard field goal as time expired and the Jacksonville Jaguars recovered from a 27-point deficit to post a dramatic 31-30 victory ...

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence had a terrible start in the wild card matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Then on the ensuing drive, the Jaguars got the ball down to the Chargers territory, but a throw on fourth-and-seven resulted in Asante Samuel, Jr. It went from bad to worse in the second quarter, however. He tried to fire a quick pass to Jacksonville's top receiver Christian Kirk in the slot, but saw his pass tipped and picked off by Drue Tranquill.

The Chargers held a 27-point lead but played a horrible second half and lost their wild-card playoff game on a last-second field goal, 31-30, ...

As a team, the Chargers finished with 67 yards in 23 carries, an average of 2.9 per attempt. Bosa slammed his helmet to the turf. Tight end Gerald Everett had six receptions for 109 yards and a touchdown. After a pause, he added: “I don’t know. That moment helped swing the game with Jacksonville scoring two more touchdowns in the third quarter on Lawrence passes to Marvin Jones Jr. “Everybody likes to say it’s part of the business, but you’re up four touchdowns, you’re supposed to win. “We can’t lose our composure like that,” Staley said. “As the quarterback, I need to perform better. I feel horrible for the defense.” We just didn’t do that.” Lawrence hit Evan Engram for a nine-yard score with 24 seconds left before halftime. The 14-play drive also consumed 53 yards as the Chargers converted a third and nine (on a Herbert scramble of 13 yards) and a third and four (on a Herbert pass to Keenan Allen for six yards).

The Chargers head coach was getting praised at halftime for "masterclass" but that evaporated quickly into mockery after loss to Jaguars.

The Chargers were out-played in every facet of the game that didn’t include Samuel making elite cornerback plays in the first 20 minutes. The Chargers intercepted Trevor Lawrence four times in the first half, three by Asante Samuel, and Staley’s team took an early 27-0 lead on the road. And the Chargers still lost to the Broncos, 31-28. He led his QB back methodically, play by play.— Alex Insdorf (@alexinsdorf99) The expectations for Staley’s Chargers were high this year, and that’s what he signed up for by accepting the job as L.A.’s head coach, but then the Chargers fell to a 6-6 record after a Week 13 loss to the Raiders. Staley was out-coached moment after moment by Jacksonville’s Doug Pederson. He made adjustments. His first season was littered with controversial coaching decisions and the Chargers missed the playoffs with a 9-8 record, losing three of their last four games. To the 5-12 Broncos. [LA Rams](https://www.turfshowtimes.com/) to the number one defense in his first season as a defensive coordinator. Jackson, and drafting guard Zion Johnson in the first round to help protect Herbert. [January 15, 2023]

Riley Patterson kicked a 36-yard field goal as time expired and the Jacksonville Jaguars recovered from a 27-point deficit to post a dramatic 31-30 victory ...

"Coach believed in me on that fourth-and-1 to give me the ball and to make something happen for my teammates." Samuel recorded his first pick with 10:02 left in the quarter, setting up Dicker's 22-yard field goal. Lawrence's nightmare first half began with an interception in which two Chargers deflected the ball before it was grabbed by Drue Tranquill. "We didn't play a good second half of football as a team," Chargers coach Brandon Staley said. Dicker's 23-yard field goal made it 27-0 with 4:25 remaining. intercepted three passes and Austin Ekeler rushed for two touchdowns for the fifth-seeded Chargers. Jacksonville's Trevor Lawrence overcame four first-half interceptions to throw for 288 yards and four touchdowns to lead his team to the third-largest comeback victory in postseason history. Justin Herbert passed for 273 yards and one touchdown, Gerald Everett caught six passes for 109 yards and Cameron Dicker kicked three field goals. He set up Patterson's winning kick by breaking loose for a 25-yard gain on fourth-and-1 to the Los Angeles 16-yard line. rushed for 109 yards for the fourth-seeded Jaguars. We know we are always counted out of these games. We just kept believing in each other.

The Jacksonville Jaguars completed the third-largest comeback in NFL history by erasing a 27-point deficit to defeat the Los Angeles Chargers in Saturday's ...

4 seed in the playoffs. as the Chargers scored 27 unanswered points to silence the fans at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville. The postseason opener for Lawrence, the No. for a six-yard touchdown that made it a two-possession game at 27-14 with 5:11 left in the third quarter. The Chargers went three-and-out, giving the ball to Jacksonville at their own 21-yard line with 3:09 to go. Lawrence and the No.

Trevor Lawrence celebrates on the field after the Jaguars defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 31-30 in the AFC Wild Card playoff game at TIAA Bank Field Saturday ...

In the second half, Lawrence threw three more touchdowns to eventually make it a 30-28 game. Lawrence settled down and threw a touchdown right before halftime to cut the deficit to 27-7. The Jaguars had as bad of a first half as a team can possibly have.

The Chargers' history of blown leads and baffling losses surfaced again, and Coach Brandon Staley's role in the collapse could place his job in jeopardy.

“We got to be able to get our cleats in the grass and not have breakdowns,” Tranquill said. To the end, the Chargers had no answer for the Jaguars’ fast-paced attack, which challenged Staley’s reputation as a defensive guru. Late in the second quarter, leading 27-0, the Chargers had a chance to control the ball into halftime. Staley eschewed his trademark fourth down aggression and opted for a 40-yard field goal, which Cameron Dicker hooked left of the goal posts. On the Jaguars’ first possession of the second half, which followed the Chargers’s stalled drive, Bosa lined up in the neutral zone on what would have been a drive-killing sack by Mack. Here was the Chargers in a nutshell: a misguided coaching decision built atop a lack of depth at a premium position. One Charger blurted to a teammate, “That’s something we got to answer for for the rest of our f------ lives.” The Chargers’ litany of self-inflicted damage could be repurposed as an instruction manual for how to squander a season. [Patrick Mahomes won the Super Bowl](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nfl/patrick-mahomes-chiefs-comeback/2020/02/02/cc3ac448-45fb-11ea-8124-0ca81effcdfb_story.html?itid=lk_inline_manual_15) in his third season. He thought about the game that had just transpired, a dream that had dissolved into a nightmare. The He had only begun to reckon with the fallout of an impossible collapse.

The NFL world reacts to the Los Angeles Chargers blowing a 27-0 lead to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Super Wild Card Weekend.

It was also the first time in NFL playoff history that a team was plus-five in the turnover margin and lost the game. Everything seemed balmy for the Los Angeles squad in the first half, as they forced Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence into four interceptions and took a 27-0 lead with 4:28 remaining in the second quarter. As if Los Angeles Chargers fans hadn't been tortured enough over recent years, on Saturday night, in their first playoff appearance since 2018, they had to watch their team blow a 27-point lead to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Two hours and a methodical, historic and eventually inevitable Jacksonville comeback later, Los Angeles was heading home instead. "I'm hurting for everybody in ...

Which is all to say: That the Chargers were in the postseason and in a position to throttle a division winner on the road after the 2022 season they had battled through was impressive in itself. For a franchise well-versed in heartbreaking defeats, Staley and the Chargers experienced a new low in Jacksonville, one they hope they can recover from next year. "I think he felt like there were a bunch of things that kind of accumulated throughout the game and tried to talk through it with the officials. The Chargers didn't get a single stop on the Jags' four second-half marches and aided Jacksonville's comeback by committing boneheaded penalties at the wrong time. The Chargers benefited from outstanding field position en route to picking up points on five on their first seven drives; three marches started inside the Jags' red zone, and none began behind L.A.'s 32-yard line. Jacksonville's comeback was the third-largest in NFL postseason history, trailing only Andrew Luck's Colts defeating the Chiefs nine years ago (-28) and Frank Reich's Bills ousting the Oilers 30 years prior (-32).

After watching Brandon Staley get outclassed during a playoff collapse, Chargers leadership must decide whether it can afford to keep him.

Ultimately, taking on the history of a franchise might have been too great a task for a coach who didn’t have much a history of his own. Perhaps the Chargers replace Calculating how quickly he can make that transformation is the other. The Chargers’ Curse that Staley strove to eradicate resurfaced stronger than ever, his new-age approach producing the same old results. That’s the ground Staley has to make up if the Chargers are to have any chance of reaching a Super Bowl. [Trevor Lawrence](https://www.nfl.com/players/trevor-lawrence/)’s passes in the first half. This wasn’t a case of a quarterback throwing an errant pass or a running back failing to hold onto the football. He has already demonstrated a willingness to change, his tempered aggression on fourth down a notable example. The Jaguars increased their pressure on Herbert and kept In other words, the Chargers only have one more year during which their quarterback will be one of the league’s most underpaid players. Here’s what was especially stunning: The Chargers blew their edge without committing a single turnover. However, when Peterson increased the tempo of his offense, the Chargers had no answers for the Jaguars’ no-huddle plays.

They still lost. Brandon Staley stood outside the locker room in stunned silence as his players filed past him after Saturday's playoff loss. (Robert Gauthier / ...

Davis suffered a pectoral injury in the third quarter and had to leave the game. And then, with the game in the balance, the Chargers, well, Chargered, in the two-minute drill. The Chargers faced a fourth-and-3 on Dicker’s attempt, but Staley opted not to go for it in a continued deviation from his 2021 process. The Jaguars scored a touchdown on that drive to cut the Chargers’ lead to 27-14. The second unsportsmanlike moved the Jaguars’ two-point attempt from 2-yard line to the 1 yard, and Lawrence converted on a sneak to make it 30-28. Staley has always maintained that he wants to be a physical “line of scrimmage team.” When they needed to be that team the most, they failed. At this stage of the second quarter, though, Carter was out of the game with an ankle injury, so [Michael Bandy](https://theathletic.com/nfl/player/michael-bandy-c0KL2h04S6tOxXb1/), a former undrafted free agent who started the season on the practice squad, was in at Carter’s spot. This was the pivot point in the game. And it unraveled in the second half. [Justin Herbert](https://theathletic.com/nfl/player/justin-herbert-9NHrY7HxyKCR40Kh/)’s first-down pass was batted at the line. “It just comes down to what you actually do in the moment and what you don’t allow in the moment.” I was there to interview the head coach about [fourth-down decision-making and analytics](https://theathletic.com/3495423/2022/08/15/chargers-brandon-staley-fourth-down/), but early on in the conversation, Staley’s words drifted to something broader, something more deep-seated — something that might seem intangible but has left real, permanent wounds for anyone associated with this franchise.

Los Angeles blew a 27-point lead on Saturday against the Jaguars.

The defeat was the latest difficult loss for a Chargers organization that is full of them. Los Angeles built a 27-0 lead in the second quarter thanks in large part to four first-half interceptions by Trevor Lawrence. [key two-point conversion](https://www.si.com/nfl/2023/01/15/joey-bosas-unsportsmanlike-penalty-costs-chargers-loss-jaguars). [Kyle Van Noy](https://www.si.com/nfl/player/kyle-van-noy) added, via [The Athletic’s Daniel Popper](https://theathletic.com/4092222/2023/01/15/chargers-jaguars-playoffs-comeback-brandon-staley/). When the Chargers spoke with the media afterward, two key defensive players didn’t sugarcoat what happened. [Chargers](https://www.si.com/nfl/team/los-angeles-chargers)‘ season ended Saturday night after the team [squandered a 27-point lead](https://www.si.com/nfl/2023/01/15/jaguars-comeback-playoff-win-trevor-lawrence-arrives) to the [Jaguars](https://www.si.com/nfl/team/jacksonville-jaguars), the third-biggest blown lead in NFL playoff history.

What are the main takeaways we learned from the Los Angeles Chargers' Wild Card Round loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars?

"I think he felt like there were a bunch of things that kind of accumulated throughout the game and tried to talk through it with the officials," Staley said of Bosa. Bosa walked near the sideline and slammed his helmet down with both hands, drawing his second of two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties on the night. The franchise now enters an offseason with a multitude of questions. Mike Williams didn’t make the trip to Jacksonville after suffering a fracture in his back in last week's Week 18 game that had no playoff seeding implications. "It was frustrating," Staley said of the running game. With 3:18 left in the second quarter as the game sat at 27-0, the Chargers held a 98.8% chance of winning, per Next Gen Stats. "We just didn't play clean enough football in the second half in all three phases," Chargers coach Brandon Staley said of what allowed Jacksonville back in the game. Just didn't play a good second half of football in any phase. Dicker also missed a 40-yard attempt with 8:47 left in the fourth quarter. We had far too many penalties in the second half that really hurt us and didn't play well enough in the red area, didn't perform well there in the two minute at the end of the game." This is the toughest way that you can lose in the playoffs." He became the first player with three interceptions in a single postseason game since Ty Law in the 2003 AFC Championship vs.

Chargers head coach Brandon Staley said after Saturday night's epic collapse against the Jaguars that it hurt to see his players and coaches in pain.

But the big question is whether Staley will be there for that growth and improvement. Staley said he believes the Chargers will grow and get better from the loss. “I’m hurting for everybody in that locker room,” Staley said.

It was somewhat of an open secret that current Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley was coaching for his future on Saturday night.

Penner would have to successfully sell Payton on the fact that the Broncos' mission to salvage Russell Wilson is a viable one. Potential drawbacks for Payton being interested in the Chargers include the team's salary-cap restraints, especially as Herbert inches closer to what is likely to be a record-breaking raise. Herbert, of course, has youth on his side, but Wilson's proven track record could still prove attractive to a savvy, experienced coach like Payton. Leading the [Jacksonville Jaguars](https://www.si.com/nfl/team/jacksonville-jaguars) at one stage by a seemingly unassailable 27-0 margin, Staley appeared to be an increasingly solid bet to keep his job. Such fiscal concerns don't really register with the Broncos' multi-billionaire Walmart/Penner ownership group. Despite another notable Chargers collapse, it does little to alter how attractive the head-coaching job in L.A.

ESPN's Adam Schefter doesn't expect the Chargers to pursue Sean Payton. The foremost NFL splash reporter doesn't believe L.A. will do what's needed to chase ...

The Rooney Rule will be front and center, and it would not be surprising if Black coaches refuse Chargers' interview requests unless L.A. publicly proclaims ...

But it would not be remotely surprising if Black coaches refuse Chargers’ interview requests unless the Chargers publicly proclaim they will not hire Sean Payton. In 2003, the league fined Lions president Matt Millen $200,000 for doing what the public is now demanding the Chargers do: hire a winning coach who was the biggest name on the market. The combination of Payton and Justin Herbert would make the Chargers a completely different franchise. If the Chargers ignored the Rooney Rule entirely, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell would surely penalize them severely, as he should. Is he willing to make Payton the highest-paid coach in the sport? (At that time, it was Steve Mariucci.) The social climate has changed since ’03, and many Black coaches are justifiably less patient and more angry about the league’s lack of progress over an incredibly long period of time. As the owner of the second team in a one-team market, Spanos should see it as an investment. Now he is being pilloried for the Chargers’ second-half meltdown against Jacksonville and a series of decisions that led to it. If the Chargers fire Staley and start negotiating with New Orleans, the Saints might view this like the NBA’s Pelicans and Thunder viewed the Anthony Davis and Paul George trades: When the other team is so clearly committed to acquiring your asset, you hold the leverage. In a draft of coaches, Payton, who reached the playoffs nine times and won Super Bowl XLIV with the Saints, would go far ahead of Staley. Questioning a coach’s choices, especially after we know the outcomes, is the easiest game in sports. Last year, Staley was the darling of many open-minded football fans for