The Art of Losing

By Timothy An

Michelangelo, considered one of the greatest sculptors of all time, meticulously crafts his sculptures in such a way to put his audiences in awe of the masterpieces he creates. Leonardo Da Vinci changed art forever in his ability to capture the attention of his audiences through his visually remarkable paintings. The Los Angeles Chargers have been able to surprise the sports world again and again by creating beautiful works of art on the television screen that continually create jaw-dropping spectacles for their audiences throughout the world. 

Like famous painters and sculptors, the Chargers have provided us with beautiful pieces of artwork on a weekly basis. They have officially mastered the art of losing. The problem for the Chargers isn’t that they simply lose games, they use their innovative minds to find the most improbable, creative ways to lose games and this has been happening since the Norv Turner era. After their latest heart-breaking loss to the Denver Broncos occurring on a last-second touchdown pass from Drew Lock to KJ Hamler, I think it’s time to take a trip down memory lane and look back at the trail of masterpieces the Chargers have created for football fans over the past decade. 

Week 8: Kansas City Chiefs (2011)

The Kneel-Down Fumble

With 1:03 remaining in the 4th quarter, quarterback Philip Rivers needed to kneel the ball down two times to secure a game-winning 30-yard field goal opportunity for kicker Nick Novak to win the game. In classic Rivers fashion, as he went down to take the knee he fumbled the ball, taking the game to overtime where the Chiefs took the victory. The implications of this loss were huge, as the Chargers ended the season in a 3-way tie for the division lead, losing the tiebreaker to the Denver Broncos, eliminating them from playoff contention. 

Week 6: Denver Broncos (2012)

The 35 Point Miracle

The Chargers entered halftime against the Peyton Manning-led Broncos with a 24-0 lead. Then, Philip Rivers happened. Rivers’ three interceptions and fumble in the second half allowed the Broncos to score 35 unanswered points and make a miraculous second-half comeback against the Chargers. 

Week 12: Baltimore Ravens (2012) 

The Fourth-and-29

Ray Rice scrambles for a first down on 4th and 29 (The Daily Press)

This game was over. The Chargers held a 13-10 lead with 1:58 left in the fourth quarter as the Ravens were stuck facing a 4th-and-29 at their own 37-yard line. All the Chargers had to do was allow less than 29 yards. Joe Flacco went back to pass and threw a check down at the line of scrimmage to Ray Rice, just what the Chargers wanted. As a fan we were all thinking about how bone-headed of a move it was to throw a check down on a 4th-and-29… all the Chargers had to do was tackle Rice somewhere before the 30 yards he had to go to get this first down. However, in classic Chargers fashion, 7 defenders get outran by Rice, who then proceeds to truck two defenders for the first down. The Ravens then kick a field goal and win the game in overtime. 

Week 1: Houston Texans (2013)

The 21-Point Comeback

It’s always good to win the first game of the season on national television for Monday Night Football. Especially if you have a 28-7 lead mid-third quarter. In classic Philip Rivers fashion, the Chargers decided to forget how to play offense and proceeded to go three-and-out four times and throw one pick-six to allow the Texans to come back and kick a game-winning field goal as time expired to win the game. 

Week 16: Oakland Raiders (2015)

The Lambo Shank

The Chargers led their division rival Oakland Raiders by 5 points with 8 minutes remaining in the ball game. Josh Lambo proceeded to nail a 53-yard field goal to stretch the lead to 8 points, but it was called back due to a defensive penalty for the Raiders. You would think this was a good thing, giving the Chargers an opportunity to score a touchdown and make it a two-possession game. For a little bit, it did seem like a good thing as Rivers threw a dime to TE Ladarius Green who caught the touchdown pass. However, it was overturned as an incomplete pass and led to an easier 47-yard field goal attempt for Lambo. Lambo proceeded to shank this kick, allowing the Raiders to come back and take this game to overtime where they won. 

Week 1: Kansas City Chiefs (2016)

The 99.7% Win Probability

In the first game of the 2016 season, the Chargers held a dominating lead over the Chiefs, 24-3, midway through the third quarter. This lead was at 27-10 midway through the 4th, giving the Chargers a 99.7% chance to win the ball game. Through bad defensive play, an awful running game, and a 17-yard punt, the Chargers gifted the Chiefs a way to come back and win their first game of the season. 

Week 4: New Orleans Saints (2016) 

The 98.6% Win Probability

Holding a 34-21 lead over the Saints with 8 minutes remaining, the Chargers had a 98.6% probability to win this ball game. All the Chargers had to do was bleed the clock out to win this game. The Chargers then proceeded to fumble the ball in two consecutive drives, and throw an interception in their final drive to lose the game. 

Week 5: Oakland Raiders (2016)

Mr. Butterfingers: Drew Kaser

Punter for the Chargers, Drew Kaser, had already cost the Chargers big time by shanking a punt for 16 yards on the Chargers own 9 yard-line to allow a Raiders touchdown. With 3 minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Chargers had an opportunity to tie the game and send it into overtime with a 35-yard field goal. Kaser, who was holding on the play, drops the ball after the snap and allows the Raiders to recover to secure the victory in Week 5. 

Week 1: Denver Broncos (2017)

Who is Koo

(Getty Images)

In his debut, rookie kicker Younghoe Koo attempted his first field goal attempt, which also ended up being a game-tying opportunity as time expired. With the Chargers down 3, Koo was brought up to attempt a 44-yard field goal. Koo nailed it right down the middle but was forced to retry his attempt as the Broncos called a timeout seconds before the ball was snapped. Koo then came up for his second attempt at it and was blocked by the Broncos defense, leading to yet another tragic loss for the Chargers

Week 2: Miami Dolphins (2017)

Younghoe Koo: A Redemption Story?

The following week, Koo had a chance to redeem himself from the blocked field goal last week. The Chargers were down 2 with nine seconds remaining as Koo lined up to kick a 44-yard field goal to win the game. Koo missed. Another gut-wrenching loss for the Chargers in back-to-back weeks. 

Week 7: Tennessee Titans (2019)

Thanks, Melvin Gordon

After holding out for 5 games, Melvin Gordon returned to action in Week 6 for limited action against the Pittsburgh Steelers. This Week 7 matchup for the Titans was his second game back and he took 16 carries for just 32 yards. Gordon had a chance to make up for his awful performance with a 1st-and-goal for the Chargers at the Titans one-yard line. Down 3, with 19 seconds left, it looked certain the Chargers would win this game, or at least tie the game. On 1st down, Gordon was handed the ball and stuffed at the goal line. On 2nd down, head coach Anthony Lynn gave Gordon another chance to produce the game-winning touchdown, and Gordon proceeded to get stuffed and fumble the ball, leading to a Titans recovery and victory. 

Week 10: Oakland Raiders (2019)

Rivers 0-for-7

(Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

With 1:07 to go in the fourth quarter, the Chargers were down by 2 and had a chance to win the game with a field goal. Starting on their own 25-yard line, Rivers had an opportunity to move the ball downfield and get the Chargers into field goal range to win the game. Rivers proceeded to throw 4 incompletions in a row. The Chargers were then bailed out by a 4th down penalty on the Raiders, giving them a new set of downs to work with. Rivers proceeded to throw 3 more incompletions, going 0-for-7 on his final drive to lose the Chargers the game. 

Week 11: Kansas City Chiefs (2019)

Another Embarrassing Rivers Performance

In an important divisional matchup against the Chiefs, Rivers had a chance to redeem himself from last week's disappointing performance against the Raiders. Down by 7 with 5 minutes remaining, the Chargers got the ball to have a chance at scoring a touchdown and tying the game up. Rivers proceeded to throw a pick. The Chargers then made a great defensive stop to give Rivers another opportunity. He was picked again. He ended the game with 4 interceptions, solidifying the Charger’s stance to move on from him the next season. 

Week 13: Denver Broncos (2019) 

The Pass Interference

With 9 seconds remaining in the game, the score was tied at 20-20 with the Broncos having possession of the ball. Drew Lock led this offense, starting at their own 28-yard line. Lock proceeded to heave the ball downfield to Courtland Sutton on first down for a miracle catch. Sutton didn’t catch the ball, but Chargers cornerback Casey Hayward was called for defensive pass interference, setting up the Broncos for the game-winning field goal. 

Week 2, 4, 5: Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Bucs (2020)

13-17-17

In 3 of rookie quarterback Justin Herbert’s first four starts, the Chargers have given up huge leads of 13 to the Chiefs, 17 to the Saints, and 17 to the Buccaneers. In all three of these losses, the Chargers have eased up both offensively and defensively after gaining these huge leads. These games have been heartbreakers for Chargers fans, as the Chargers have held a lead to start the fourth quarter in all of these matchups. 

Week 8: Denver Broncos (2020)

Pass Interference

After holding a 24-3 lead in the middle of the third quarter, the game looked like a dominating Chargers victory. The Broncos slowly started creeping back through a couple of Chargers penalties and great throws by Drew Lock. Then, with 2 minutes remaining in the 4th quarter, the Broncos found themselves at their own 19-yard line with a chance to win the game with a touchdown. The Broncos moved the ball quickly down the field until they found themselves stuck at the Chargers 18-yard line for a 4th & 5. Quarterback Drew Lock threw it way over his receivers head, giving the ball back to the Chargers. However, a defensive pass interference was called, putting the Broncos at the one-yard line with one second remaining. Drew Lock rolled out of the pocket, throwing it to KJ Hamler for the game-winning touchdown. 

Where Do The Chargers Go From Here?

With the heartbreaking loss to the Denver Broncos, the Chargers now sit at 2-5 at the bottom of the AFC West. Though they have competed well with some of the top teams in the league (Chiefs, Saints, Bucs), they are pretty much out of playoff contention unless a miracle occurs. I think the Chargers are stuck in a position where a culture change is needed. Anthony Lynn has done a fine job coaching this team, but his inability to close games is a big issue the Chargers and GM Tom Telesco must address. I’ve always believed Anthony Lynn was a top-10 coach in the first three quarters of a game, but now it’s time for the Chargers to get a coach who can finish games out. 

Follow Timothy on Twitter @timothyan1