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Tampa Bay running back Bucky Irving (7) finds running room as the Chargers Tarheeb Still (29) attempts to make the tackle during the second half at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. The visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 40-17 in a National Football League (NFL) game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Tampa Bay cornerback Jamel Dean, left, intercepts a Justin Herbert pass intended for Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston, right, during the second half at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. The visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 40-17 in a National Football League (NFL) game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield escapes the grasp of the Chargers Troy Dye during the second half at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. The visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 40-17 in a National Football League (NFL) game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield reacts after making a run during the second half at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. The visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 40-17 in a National Football League (NFL) game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Tampa Bay wide receiver Mike Evans catches a third quarter touchdown pass as the Chargers Kristian Fulton defends at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. The visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 40-17 in a National Football League (NFL) game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Charger quarterback Justin Herbert gets a pass off during the second half as Tampa Bay’s Christian Izien defends at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. The visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 40-17 in a National Football League (NFL) game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Tampa Bay tight end Cade Otton is upended by the Chargers AJ Finley, right, and Junior Colson, left, during the second half at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. The visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 40-17 in a National Football League (NFL) game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Tampa Bay tight end Cade Otton is upended by the Chargers AJ Finley, right, and Junior Colson, left, during the second half at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. The visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 40-17 in a National Football League (NFL) game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Tampa Bay tight end Cade Otton is stopped by the Chargers Daiyan Henley (0) after being upended by AJ Finley and Junior Colson during the second half at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. The visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 40-17 in a National Football League (NFL) game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Tampa Bay running back Bucky Irving (7) breaks away for a long run during the second half as Chargers Daiyan Henley (right) and Tarheeb Still (left) move in to make the stop at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. The visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 40-17 in a National Football League (NFL) game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The Chargers Ja’Sir Taylor (36) hits Tampa Bay returner Trey Palmer (10) too soon as he tries to catch a punt during the second half at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. Taylor was given a penalty on the play. The visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 40-17 in a National Football League (NFL) game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The Chargers Ja’Sir Taylor (36) hits Tampa Bay returner Trey Palmer (10) too soon as he tries to catch a punt during the second half at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. Taylor was given a penalty on the play. The visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 40-17 in a National Football League (NFL) game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is sacked by Tampa Bay’s Logan Hall during the second half at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. The visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 40-17 in a National Football League (NFL) game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert sits on the bench as the final minutes run off the clock against visiting Tampa Bay at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. The visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 40-17 in a National Football League (NFL) game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The Chargers Stone Smartt fumbles late in the fourth quarter after being hit by Tampa Bay’s Anthony Nelson, left, and C.J. Brewer, right, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. The visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 40-17 in a National Football League (NFL) game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Charger quarterback Justin Herbert is sacked by Tampa Bay’s Lavonte David during the first half at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. The Los Angeles Chargers host the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a National Football League (NFL) game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Charger quarterback Justin Herbert is sacked by Tampa Bay’s Lavonte David during the first half at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. The Los Angeles Chargers host the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a National Football League (NFL) game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
The Chargers Stone Smartt fumbles late in the fourth quarter after being hit by Tampa Bay’s Anthony Nelson, left, and C.J. Brewer, right, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. The visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 40-17 in a National Football League (NFL) game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is sacked by Tampa Bay’s Logan Hall during the second half at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. The visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 40-17 in a National Football League (NFL) game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield reacts after making a run during the second half at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. The visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 40-17 in a National Football League (NFL) game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Charger wide receiver Ladd McConkey makes a leaping catch as Tampa Bay’s Lavonte David defends during the first half at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. The Los Angeles Chargers host the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a National Football League (NFL) game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Charger head coach Jim Harbaugh works the sidelines after visiting Tampa Bay during the first half at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. The Los Angeles Chargers host the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a National Football League (NFL) game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Charger wide receiver Ladd McConkey celebrates after catching a first quarter touchdown pass from Justin Herbert as Tampa Bay’s Kaevon Merriweather defends at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. The Los Angeles Chargers host the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a National Football League (NFL) game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Charger tight end Tucker Fisk is tackled following a short reception against visiting Tampa Bay during the first half at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. The Los Angeles Chargers host the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a National Football League (NFL) game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
Charger quarterback Justin Herbert is sacked by Tampa Bay’s Lavonte David during the first half at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. The Los Angeles Chargers host the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a National Football League (NFL) game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
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Tampa Bay running back Bucky Irving (7) finds running room as the Chargers Tarheeb Still (29) attempts to make the tackle during the second half at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. The visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 40-17 in a National Football League (NFL) game. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)
INGLEWOOD — One by one, the Chargers talked about what happened during their 40-17 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday at SoFi Stadium. One by one, they accepted the fact that their play wasn’t good enough to win. One by one, they spoke from the heart about their worst defeat of the season.
“The way I played today just wasn’t good enough,” said outside linebacker Khalil Mack, an 11-year NFL veteran, a player who has been selected to play in the Pro Bowl eight times, including his first two seasons with the Chargers. “We didn’t do enough to affect the quarterback or stop the run, so that’s the result.”
Safety Derwin James Jr. stood nearby. He sounded a more optimistic view.
“We’re not panicking,” James said. “We still control our own destiny.”
Quarterback Justin Herbert entered the postgame press conference dressed all in black, an outfit perhaps befitting his mood and that of his teammates. He stressed the need to respond to the Chargers’ second consecutive loss after a 19-17 defeat as time expired on Dec. 8 to the Kansas City Chiefs.
“We got beat today and we have a very important game coming up on Thursday and we have to be at our best for it,” Herbert said, referring to the Chargers’ game against the Denver Broncos on “Thursday Night Football” at SoFi Stadium, the first game in what’s become a three-game homestretch.
The Chargers’ route to the playoffs got a lot bumpier Sunday.
Their loss to the Buccaneers dropped them to 8-6 and into third place in the AFC West with their home finale looming Thursday against the Broncos, who are 9-5 and second in the AFC West. Their final games are on the road against the New England Patriots (3-11) and the Las Vegas Raiders (2-11).
NFC South-leading Tampa Bay (8-6) won its fourth consecutive game.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield threw four touchdown passes, including two in the pivotal third quarter to veteran wide receiver Mike Evans. Mayfield completed 22 of 27 passes for 288 yards by game’s end. The Buccaneers, who also rushed for 223 yards, outscored the Chargers 17-0 in the third quarter.
Herbert and the Chargers had zero response in the second half. Herbert threw two touchdown passes in the first half, but the Chargers couldn’t hold onto a 17-13 halftime lead. In addition, Herbert threw his first interception since the Chargers’ victory over the Carolina Panthers in Week 2.
Herbert completed 21 of 33 passes for 195 yards.
The Chargers rushed for 32 yards and were 0 for 6 on third-down conversions.
Not good enough, according to Herbert.
“It’s tough to put up points when you’re 0 for 6 on third downs,” Herbert said.
Compounding matters, the Chargers also were 0 for 2 on fourth downs.
Mayfield drove the Buccaneers 70 yards in seven plays on the opening possession of the game, completing a 26-yard touchdown pass to Jalen McMillan to give Tampa Bay a 7-0 lead.
As far as the Chargers were concerned, the worrisome aspect was how easily Mayfield moved the ball.
It was a sign of things to come in the third quarter.
Herbert had rallied the Chargers with scores on their first three possessions, building a 17-13 lead by the end of the half. Herbert threw touchdown passes of 7 yards to Ladd McConkey and 13 yards to Quentin Johnston, and Cameron Dicker kicked a 41-yard field goal between the touchdown passes.
The Chargers never got close to another score, however.
Tampa Bay seized control in the second half.
Mayfield sandwiched touchdown passes of 57 and 35 yards to Evans around Chase McLaughlin’s 42-yard field goal, enabling the Buccaneers to take control of the game in the third quarter. Evans caught nine passes for 159 yards and running back Bucky Irving rushed for 117 yards on 15 carries.
McLaughlin kicked four field goals.
It was the most points the Chargers had given up all season, topping the 30 points they gave up in a loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 12. The Buccaneers outgained the Chargers by 506-206. Tampa Bay didn’t punt once in 10 possessions (scoring on eight of them) but did turn the ball over twice in the first half.
The Chargers gave up more than 500 total yards and 200 yards rushing in a game for only the seventh time in franchise history.
“We didn’t play well enough, we didn’t coach well enough,” Coach Jim Harbaugh said. “Now, it’s how we respond. It’s a response now. I’m not going to go through each play or each phase. We understand what took place and what our response is going to have to be. In all phases, we didn’t get the job done.”
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