Current:Home > FinanceChargers still believe in Staley after historic 63-21 loss to rival Raiders -ProfitLogic
Chargers still believe in Staley after historic 63-21 loss to rival Raiders
View
Date:2025-04-12 17:18:17
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Los Angeles Chargers defensive leader Khalil Mack said he didn’t have his unit ready after Thursday’s historic 63-21 loss to their AFC West rival Las Vegas Raiders.
In an even bigger statement, he made it clear the team still believes in coach Brandon Staley.
“Of course we believe in him,” Mack said. “And he believes in us. This can’t be a disconnect, when you love this (expletive) the way that I do.”
Now it’s a matter of whether or not team owner Dean Spanos believes in the guy who is well on his way to his worst record since taking over in 2021 after the Chargers allowed more than 57 points for the first time in franchise history.
“I don’t know,” Staley answered when asked if he expected to still be coach of the Chargers on Friday.
“Yes,” he added, when asked if he thought he should be. “I know that what I’ve done here for three years and I know what I put into this. ... I believe in myself. But again, this isn’t about me This is about a group that’s hurting in there.”
On the contrary, it’s every bit about Staley, as speculation has been building for weeks about his future since the Chargers went into a tailspin after opening the season 4-4.
Los Angeles has now lost five of six, and has been outscored 171-102 along the way.
“We came here expecting to win,” said Staley, whose three-year record with the Chargers fell to 24-25. “I came in here expecting to win. We just got our (butts) kicked. That’s all that happened. This is the NFL. People get hurt. (Stuff) happens. We’ve got to finish and play better than that.”
Added Mack: “This is embarrassing. It was probably one of the nastiest, ugliest losses of my career.”
The Chargers’ defense came into the game allowing the 16th-most points per game (21.7), the fifth-highest passer rating to opponents (96.6), and the fifth-most yards per play (5.6).
To go along with their 63 points, Raiders rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell finished with a 120.7 rating and Las Vegas averaged 6.0 yards per play.
Meanwhile, Easton Stick threw for 257 yards, completing 23 of 32 attempts, including three touchdowns and one interception.
Though the Chargers finished with 326 yards of offense, most of their production came during fourth-quarter garbage time.
They also committed five turnovers, with four lost fumbles and Stick’s interception returned for a touchdown.
“It’s tough when you go down three turnovers in the half,” Stick said. “It starts and ends with me. Really frustrating.”
The Chargers trailed 42-0 at halftime, also the most points they’ve allowed in the first half of a game in franchise history.
“We got our (butts) kicked, that’s all I got for you,” disgruntled running back Austin Ekeler said as he exited the locker room.
The Chargers went 9-8 in Staley’s first year in 2021 and 10-8 last season when they made the playoffs.
And at 5-9, they’re assured of a losing record for the fifth time in nine years.
After their primetime debacle in Las Vegas, there’s effectively zero chance the Chargers are going to the postseason.
“We love coach, I love coach,” Stick added. “Tonight was really tough. We’re the ones on the field and it starts with me.”
Nevertheless, with plenty of time to prepare for Buffalo’s visit on Dec. 23, only one question remains for the Chargers.
Has it become a matter of when, not if, Staley is fired?
___
AP NFL coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
veryGood! (43771)
Related
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- Is Donald Trump’s Truth Social headed to Wall Street? It comes down to a Friday vote
- Is black seed oil a secret health booster? Here's what the research says
- Family member arraigned in fatal shooting of Michigan congressman’s brother
- The 401(k) millionaires club keeps growing. We'll tell you how to join.
- Southern Baptists pick a California seminary president to lead its troubled administrative body
- Wales' election of its first Black leader means no White man runs a U.K. government for the first time ever
- Women's college basketball is faster than it's ever been. Result: More records falling
- NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
- Lawsuit from family of Black man killed by police in Oregon provides additional details of shooting
Ranking
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- Shohei Ohtani interpreter fiasco is a menacing sign: Sports' gambling problem has arrived
- Grassley releases whistleblower documents, multi-agency probe into American cartel gunrunning
- Georgia Senate lawmakers give final passage to bill to loosen health permit rules
- NFL Week 15 picks straight up and against spread: Bills, Lions put No. 1 seed hopes on line
- Southern Baptists pick a California seminary president to lead its troubled administrative body
- Georgia lawmakers advance bills targeting immigrant-friendly policies
- Review: ‘Water for Elephants’ on Broadway is a three-ring circus with zero intrigue
Recommendation
Kylie Jenner Shows Off Sweet Notes From Nieces Dream Kardashian & Chicago West
Post Malone teases country collaboration with Morgan Wallen: 'Let's go with the real mix'
Angela Chao Case: Untangling the Mystery Surrounding the Billionaire's Death
Savor this NCAA men's tournament because future Cinderellas are in danger
US appeals court rejects Nasdaq’s diversity rules for company boards
Skater accused of sex assault shouldn't be at world championships, victim's attorney says
Michael Strahan's Daughter Isabella Shares Update On Chemotherapy Timeline Amid Cancer Battle
Grassley releases whistleblower documents, multi-agency probe into American cartel gunrunning