The Los Angeles Chargers couldn't keep the pedal to the metal after a good start, with a second-half offensive lull leading to a 30-23 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Monday.
Jim Harbaugh's club scored the first 10 points of the game, but an inability to punch it into the end zone while the Ravens gobbled up touchdowns like they were Thanksgiving drumsticks proved the difference.
"We would have liked to have had more points. We just needed a few more conversions," Harbaugh said after the loss dropped his club to 7-4.
The Ravens outgained the Chargers by 130 total yards in the second half on Monday night -- 217 yards to 83. The bulk of L.A.'s yards came on the final TD drive, trailing by 14 points. Two fourth-quarter three-and-outs proved costly.
"I appreciate the way the guys battled and fought there at the end," quarterback Justin Herbert said. "It's an unfortunate ending. We wanted to score more points and we didn't do that. You've got to take a look back at getting those opportunities in the red zone and making sure that we're converting on third down. I thought we did a good job of limiting turnovers, keeping the ball and doing everything we can. We've just got to score more points."
Playing without running back J.K. Dobbinsin the second half following a knee injury sapped the Chargers offense of a dynamic backfield weapon. The difference in the final two quarters without the back was palpable. Drops and an inefficient passing attack didn't help matters either. Herbert completed 21 of 36 passes for 218 yards while taking four sacks.
Herbert's crew moved the ball early and punched it into the end zone on their only two red zone trips of the day, but between the bookend touchdowns, the club struggled to sustain drives and stalled out. L.A. went 5 of 14 on third downs for the contest.
"I think there are opportunities to go out there and we've shown capable of going out there and scoring in the second half," the QB said. "It's obviously a tough game and we'd love to score more points. We just got to keep executing and do everything we can. I thought we did a good job moving the ball. We just got to go score points in the red zone. We can't rely on (kicker) Cameron Dicker to bail us out like that."
The Chargers fell to 1-4 versus teams that are .500 or better in 2024. They're 6-0 against teams under .500. Three of L.A.'s remaining six games are against teams .500 or better as it clings to a playoff spot.
