Jim Harbaugh has brought a tougher mindset to the Los Angeles Chargers. Now, the next challenge for him is teaching the team how to win close games.
On Sunday night, the Chargers lost 19-17 to the Kansas City Chiefs, marking their 10th straight loss in regular season games decided by three points or fewer. This is the longest active streak in the NFL, and it’s tied for the fourth-longest streak in NFL history.
The Buffalo Bills hold the record for the longest streak with 13 consecutive losses by three or fewer points from 2001 to 2006.
“Didn’t finish the game. Didn’t win the game when we needed to,” said safety Derwin James Jr. “We’re not trying to get moral wins. We have to get the mistakes corrected. We can’t depend on, ‘Oh, we played a great game and it came down to the last play.’ We also know there’s a sense of urgency and we need to come out and respond.”
The Chiefs have won six games in a row against the Chargers (8-5), with two of those wins coming down to the last play and four decided in the final minute.
This was the second time this season that the Chargers lost because of a walk-off field goal. The other time was a 17-15 loss to Arizona in Week 7.
Los Angeles’ last close win came against Tennessee in Week 15 of the 2022 season, when Cameron Dicker kicked a field goal on the last play for a 17-14 victory.
“The confidence is there, but we have to go out and prove it on the field. There’s no such thing as almost. The lesson learned is it comes down to the little things,” said safety Elijah Molden.
The Chargers’ offense showed some improvement in the second half, with two touchdown drives, even though they were missing wide receiver Ladd McConkey and running back J.K. Dobbins.
Rookie Kamani Vidal had seven carries for 27 yards after halftime, while receivers Josh Palmer and Quentin Johnston combined for 11 catches and 126 yards.
The defense held Patrick Mahomes to just one touchdown pass, but the Chiefs managed to convert eight of their 15 third-down attempts, including three on their final drive.
This loss leaves the Chargers in the running for the sixth seed in the AFC. Baltimore and Denver are also 8-5, but the Ravens hold the tiebreaker because they beat the Chargers two weeks ago. Los Angeles defeated the Broncos in Week 5.
After the loss, Harbaugh turned to a 16th-century Scottish sailor for inspiration in his message to the team.
“Reminded them of Sir Andrew Barton. ‘Fight on my men,’ Sir Andrew said. ‘I am a little wounded but not slain. I lay down and bleed a while and will rise and fight again,’” Harbaugh said.
