INGLEWOOD — Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has gone 11 straight games without throwing an interception. He attempted 357 consecutive passes without being intercepted, but then threw a pass that Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Jamel Dean intercepted in the third quarter of Sunday’s 40-17 loss to Tampa Bay.
Thus ended the longest consecutive no-pick passing streak in Chargers history and the fifth longest in NFL history.
“That’s how it is,” Herbert said. “I always do my best to protect the ball and not put our team in danger. Unfortunately, this one escaped me. You play quarterback without fear. I’m going to try my shots downfield. I have to be smart and understand that maybe a disposable product is better.
“You can’t accept the aggressive mentality of throwing the ball down the court, especially to one of your point guards.”
Herbert was trying to connect with wide receiver Quentin Johnston on a second-and-10 pass from his 10-yard line. Dean made a rushing catch at the Chargers’ 42. Tampa Bay cashed in on the turnover, with Baker Mayfield throwing one of his four touchdown passes.
In the final analysis, Herbert blamed himself for not producing enough offense and not handling some of the pressure the Chargers’ defense was under, especially in the third quarter. The Buccaneers scored 17 points in the third quarter, the most the Chargers have given up in a quarter this season.
“There were a lot of times this year where we didn’t put up points and our defense came out and caused turnovers and made big stops,” Herbert said. “They played almost perfectly all year. It’s tough, but we have to do a better job on offense.
CURIOUS DECISION
Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker entered Sunday’s game having converted eight of nine field goal attempts of 50 yards or more this season. So it seemed like an odd decision to throw for fourth down from the Buccaneers 42-yard line with 3:43 left in the first half.
Granted, it would have been a daunting task for Dicker to convert from 60 yards in that situation, but he would have started on artificial turf under a roof and with minimal breeze flowing through the openings at the top of each end of SoFi. Stadium. So the Chargers scored fourth and sixth.
“I mean, it either would have been a 60-yard field goal or it was,” coach Jim Harbaugh said when asked after the game why he didn’t send Dicker in for a field goal . “Our defense made two good stops and turned the ball over twice. I imagined sending the ball deep and recovering the ball.
Tampa Bay scored a field goal that cut the Chargers’ lead to 17-13 at halftime.
ADDITIONAL POINTS
Rookie cornerback Tarheeb Still’s fourth interception of the season led to a second-quarter touchdown pass from Herbert to Johnston that put the Chargers ahead 17-10. The Chargers, however, failed to cash in on Rachaad White’s fumble on the Buccaneers’ next possession, punting instead of attempting a field goal. …
Cam Hart, a rookie cornerback, suffered a concussion in the second quarter when he fell while defending a pass and the back of his head hit the artificial turf. Left guard Zion Johnson injured his ankle when several players collided with him in the third quarter. Neither player returned to the game.
