“We didn’t exactly run it the way we practiced it,” Harbaugh said. “Just came up short. That’s on me.”
Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh looks on during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 in Atlanta.ATLANTA — Jim Harbaugh called himself out for a poor coaching decision Sunday., 17-13, and improved their record to 8-4. But, in the moment, after a faked punt resulted in a pass from punter JK Scott to tight end Stone Smartt that came up a yard short, it was a cringe-worthy decision.
For some reason, with the Chargers ahead 17-13 but facing a fourth-and-4 from their 36-yard line, Harbaugh went for broke. Scott accepted the snap from Josh Harris, rolled to his right and hit Smartt along the sideline. Smartt would have had the first down if not for Kevin King’s superb tackle.Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins threw the third of his four interceptions, this one snared by newly-signed defensive back Marcus Maye in the back of the end zone with 9:03 remaining in the game.
“I thought it was a good time, catching them by surprise, and they did a good job defending it,” he said. “We didn’t exactly run it the way we practiced it. Just came up short. That’s on me. Those coaching decisions are good when they’re right. It’s a beautiful thing. Our defense gets a turnover.”It would have been easy to dismiss the Chargers’ patchwork secondary going into Sunday’s game. Cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. has been limited to four games this season because of a shoulder injury.
But the Chargers’ defensive backs intercepted Cousins four times, each as important as the others and none more so than Derwin James Jr.’s interception with the Falcons driving for a potential winning touchdown inside the game’s final minute. James’ interception was his first this season.
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