Chargers Defense Committed Inexcusable Mistakes on the Packers' Game-Winning Touchdown Drive

If you want to see a microcosm of how things have been going for the Chargers defense this season, you don’t need to look much further than the end of their 23-20 loss to the Packers on Sunday. There were several inexcusable yet completely avoidable mistakes that led to 3 big plays, 83 yards, and the game-winning touchdown.

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The first mistake came on a 3rd-and-20 with just under 4 minutes remaining. This was all about understanding the situation. It’s easier said than done, but you don’t do anything that might even resemble a penalty in that situation. Don’t give the referee an excuse to pull the yellow flag from his pants.

That means you don’t get overly aggressive with your contact. You don’t tug a jersey to give yourself a slight advantage in coverage. You don’t get your hands anywhere near an offensive player’s facemask. And you don’t rough the passer. If the offense is going to convert a 3rd-and-20, it better be because they made a great play, not because the defense gave it to them.

Here, you can see that cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. (top of the screen) didn’t quite take that approach: