NFLOct 11
Harbaugh Accepts Full Blame After Chargers Fall to Broncos
Fourth-down decisions in the final quarter shifted momentum and left the team at 0-5 heading into a matchup with Kansas City.
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Critical Call Backfires Late
The Chargers held a 17-10 lead with just over 10 minutes left when the coach chose to go for it on fourth-and-1 from the 41-yard line. The quarterback was stopped immediately, and the Broncos responded with a touchdown five plays later to tie the score at 17. A second fourth-down attempt later in the quarter, this time on fourth-and-6 from the 31, also failed and ended with an interception.
Coach Owns the Outcome
After the 23-17 defeat, the head coach said he had never been angrier at himself and took complete responsibility for the calls that flipped the game. He noted the team had played with effort and had the momentum before those plays, but he failed to put the players in position to win. The loss dropped the team to 0-5, its first such start since 2003.
Team Shows Resolve Despite Setback
The quarterback defended the decision and said it was on the offense to convert on those plays. An earlier third-and-9 run of eight yards had set up the first fourth-down attempt.
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