LA Chargers: Limiting Darren Waller and 4 keys to beat the Las Vegas Raiders

4. Don’t let off the gas with a lead

The LA Chargers have a problem — they don’t know how to play with a lead. It is no coincidence that the team became the first in NFL history to blow a 16-point (or more) lead in four straight games.

The only reason they didn’t go 0-4 in those games is that Justin Herbert turned it on against Jacksonville and the Chargers got a fortunate fumble recovery on a kickoff.

This has led many Charger fans to demand the removal of Anthony Lynn and rightfully so. You can make excuses for the team up to a certain point but the fact of the matter is that it has become a trend the last two seasons and the buck has to stop at the head coach.

Hopefully, Lynn feels that pressure and coaches differently the rest of the season. The team is already 2-5. They need to play to win the game not to not lose.

That has been my personal gripe with Anthony Lynn — that he often coaches not to lose rather than to win. Case and point: punting on fourth and one against the defending Super Bowl Champions in overtime.

The Chargers usually get a bit passive in play calling with a lead and it is obvious that something switches in their minds that leads to that. Perhaps it is Philip Rivers trama (as much as I love the guy) and they don’t want Herbert to throw an interception with a big lead.

There is nothing to lose at this point. If the Chargers take another 10+ point lead then they have to do what all the good teams always do: keep the pressure up.