Chargers ‘not second-guessing anything’ after playoff loss
San Diego Chargers head coach Mike McCoy and quarterback Philip Rivers made no excuses following the team’s loss to the Denver Broncos.
The San Diego Chargers fell to the Denver Broncos on Sunday, failing to complete a second half comeback and allowing Denver to advance to the AFC Championship. After the 24-17 loss, San Diego head coach Mike McCoy said that the Chargers "got beat in all three phases of the game at different times."
Divisional round weekend
Chargers-Broncos 49ers-Panthers Colts-Patriots Saints-Seahawks That’s definitely true, as the Broncos managed to be ahead in just about every significant category, especially in the first half.
“We got off to a poor start,” McCoy said. “We’re not making any excuses, we got beat by a better football team today.”
McCoy was also asked about the fact that the Chargers ran the ball a lot in the first half, but opened things up -- to success -- in the second half.
“Where we were, at a certain point of time in the game, we opened it up to do certain things. Like any week, we have a plan going in, sometimes they work better than others in the first half,” McCoy said. “You make adjustments at halftime and do what you think gives you the best opportunity to win.”
McCoy added that he is “not second guessing anything.”
San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers said that the Chargers just didn't take advantage of their possessions early in the game. He said that the Chargers "weren't in a rhythm," and that the team didn't manage their first and second downs well enough.
Rivers also acknowledged that his team was able to mount a comeback.
“It’s no consolation for losing but we got going pretty good and they knew it,” Rivers said. “If we’d have got it one more time I believe deep down we’d have tied that thing up. But we didn’t. Those are a bunch of what-ifs.”
The Chargers obviously wanted the win and wanted to make it to the AFC Championship. Given that many doubted they even had a chance of making the playoffs, though, this was an achievement.
“To bounce back from 5-7, to get in this position is nothing to be ashamed of,” Rivers said. “Obviously we’re not satisfied and that’s not okay, but there’s nothing to be ashamed of.”
