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Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. (3), who had the game-sealing interception, celebrates with cornerback Tarheeb Still (29), who had two interceptions, including one returned 61 yards for the deciding score. (Danny Karnik / Associated Press)
Just when it appeared the takeaways had dried up for the Chargers, the defense tapped into a new well with four interceptions in a 17-13 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Led by two interceptions from rookie Tarheeb Still, the ball-hawking defense ended a three-game drought without a takeaway and helped overcome an inconsistent offense that was held without a touchdown.
Three things we learned from the win:
Next men up are new guys
Chargers safety Tony Jefferson (23) tackles Falcons receiver Drake London (5) in the second half. Jefferson recorded eight tackles. (Danny Karnik / Associated Press)
The ever-changing Chargers secondary got a boost from two more sudden additions Sunday as safeties Tony Jefferson and Marcus Maye were the latest embodiment of the Chargers’ next-man-up mentality.
A day after getting signed to the active roster from the practice squad, Jefferson finished with eight tackles in his first regular-season start since Dec. 14, 2022.
Maye’s fourth-quarter interception in the end zone preserved the Chargers’ four-point lead after giving the Falcons great field position following a failed fake-punt pass attempt. The veterans gave the Chargers a lift with starting safety Alohi Gilman (hamstring) on injured reserve.
The Chargers claimed Maye off waivers from the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday, and he arrived in L.A. on Wednesday night. He watched practice Thursday and participated in a walk-through Friday before flying back to the East Coast for Sunday’s game.
Read more: Tarheeb Still’s second interception, a 61-yard pick-six, lifts Chargers over Falcons
Despite limited time on the field with his new teammates, Maye said he knew “a good bit” of the defense that coach Jim Harbaugh said…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/chargers-takeaways-defenses-turnover-splurge-110005713.html
Author : LA Times
Publish date : 2024-12-02 11:00:00
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