Did Brandon Staley cost the Chargers the game? | First Take

The First Take crew discusses Los Angeles Chargers head coach Brandon Staley's decision to call a timeout late in overtime vs. the Las Vegas Raiders.

[alisteroidthecheatertestos]

Staley was brought in because of being a defensive genius but has one of if not the worse run defenses in the NFL. Also, although he’s aggressive, it eventually catches up to you and you end up shooting yourself in the foot. He’s the reason why they lost that Chiefs game too which would’ve been a huge win and changed the playoff scenario.

[FeR-ktjt]

He cost them going for it on 4th on their own 20. Then killed them by calling a timeout when the Raiders clearly was going to let the time run out, thus a tie . Raiders did the right thing by sending them home .

[hottakes]

Just sad for Herbert man. Dude played like a top 5 QB this season but the Chargers defense and Special Teams were bottom 5 this season.

[boxxboyy]

Its impressive that Herbert finds ways to win in spite of the coach. But this was unforgivable.

[jaeslice]

As a charger fan I feel bad for herbert that kid is freaking special and even though I dig Staley as a coach he for sure cost us this game

[nadiapassarellicarvalho]

I hate to see Herbert out of the playoffs....this kid deserves better

[ASM]

“Tell me you are a Steelers fan without telling me you are a Steelers fan”

Brandon Staley: Aight Bet

[johnpestano]

Props to the Raiders they went through some 💩 and still made the playoffs.

[DuranHands]

Can never assume the other team is going to do you any favors. Especially a divisional rival like the Raiders. It’s just not something you expect as a head coach. You play to win. He was trying to set up a personnel formation for a run that if they had stopped would have meant a really long FG try or a punt. Both of which probably leading to a tie anyways.

The story of this loss and of this season is the Defense. It just couldn’t come through in big time games and big time scenarios. Things things like giving up a first on 3rd and 23, giving up 11 on a 3rd and 4 with an obvious run, even not just falling on that fumble from Carr at the end. Was never a D that you can put real confidence in. Herbert most definitely proved he can. And that’s something we really couldn’t get from Rivers all those seasons (bless him he’s a great man). But to see that level of grit out of your young QB means a lot for this franchise.

Staley is a young HC learning the HC game. They usually don’t come complete straight out of the box like Herbert did haha. But he’s got player respect and he’s got vision. Time will tell but this team is going somewhere so long as Spanos doesn’t get cheap.

[acts]

You know what cost them the game? Not tackling them on 3rd & 4. If the players stop the run, then the Raiders don't get the first.

[neroltecneops]

Its a reflection of the deterioration of society. Starting with the Spanos family.
Lost to a man who gets his hair cut in a pet shop
Truly a dismal, pathetic, beaten down, battered, and shameful game, where the Head Coach gets stopped in his own territory to give up 3 in an irony of ironies the amount they fall to.
Go Clippers, I mean Chargers

[leo]

Staley 100% cost the chargers the game!

[joerodgers]

Bruh the real question is what does Ryan Clark have hanging off his neck 💀

[lakerschargers]

Raiders were going to run the ball on 3rd down regardless of the timeout. They could have easily ran 10 yards without the timeout called and still kicked a FG. Can someone explain why that timeout was so bad? Raiders were not in a formation to take a knee on that 3rd down so how is Staley supposed to know their intentions? Chargers showed they were willing to take a tie when they let the previous 2 minutes of the game go down without a timeout.

[Marcelo-ollf]

He has cost them like 4 games this season

[jx]

These analysts are stupid. The raiders would have ran the ball and got the first down and kick the field goal regardless of the timeout.

[nothing]

Staley going for it on 4th as much as he did was absolutely the right decision. He gets crucified whenever it doesn't work out but never gets praised when it works. The chargers this year were 22/34 on 4th down which is great. Well over half of the time you're extending the drive and keeping the ball in Herbert's hands rather than giving it up to the other team. That's why the chargers took a leap forward and why they'll continue to do so under Staley in the coming years.

Their only problem is defense, especially run defense which is why they lost this game. Not because of a timeout or a turnover on downs. If you're giving up 100+ rushing yards and 30 points often you shouldn't expect to win many games.

[JRKA]

Receivers dropping passes including a potential game winning pass cost them the game. They abandoned Eckert late in the game too. They were going to lose once Raiders got inside the 40. With Carlson it was over.

[Bodhi]

Staley is a complete psychopath. Going for it on 4th down on your own 20 is madness. No way players trust this guy. Complete chaos

[ruddthebest]

Being analytical or relying on analytics means analyzing every single scenario and make the best call to give the best chance to win.. it doesn’t meant to go for it everytime on 4th down. Staley is reckless and a gambler and not analytical dude . Dude is lucky that he has a QB that converted 6!! 4th downs plays. With another QB he would have only had 3-4 wins with his coaching decisions