McCoy: Chargers outplayed, outcoached in loss to Raiders
SAN DIEGO (AP) -- The game film pretty much summed up what everyone saw Sunday afternoon when the San Diego Chargers were embarrassed by the Oakland Raiders.
"Yesterday's game was unacceptable, especially the first half," coach Mike McCoy said Monday, a day after the Raiders scored on their first seven possessions and had a 31-point lead before winning 37-29.
"We got outplayed and outcoached in the first half," McCoy said. "It's very difficult to have success when you start the game like we did, whether it's turnovers or giving up seven straight scores. That starts with me as the head coach. We're not going to sit around and dwell on this."
Philip Rivers threw two interceptions in the first half, leading to 10 points. Running back Melvin Gordon, the team's first-round draft pick, was held out the first half. McCoy said it was because of the way the game plan unfolded, but many suspect Gordon was still being punished for fumbling twice -- and losing one of them -- in a 27-20 loss at Green Bay a week earlier. Gordon has lost three four fumbles this year and has yet to score a touchdown.
If the Chargers (2-5) lose Sunday at Baltimore, it will be their first four-game losing streak in McCoy's three seasons.
Stretching to last season, the Chargers have lost eight of their last 11 games overall and five of their last seven AFC West games.
Some people are starting to wonder if all the talk about the team's possible relocation to Los Angeles is affecting the players. On Friday, the team said it would indeed file for relocation in January because it believes Oakland and the St. Louis Rams also will apply to move to L.A.
It will then be up to NFL owners to decide who moves.
Coincidentally, the Chargers and Raiders are possible future stadium mates. In February, they announced plans to build a joint $1.7 million stadium in the industrial suburb of Carson if they can't get new stadiums in their home markets.
"We have a job to do as players and coaches, and we said that from the very first day when it first came out this offseason," McCoy said. "That's to go out there and play on Sundays and do what we can to win football games. That's our job and that's what we're going to continue to do."
The Chargers walked away from negotiations with city and county officials in mid-June. Mayor Kevin Faulconer has taken his case straight to the NFL, including meeting with Commissioner Roger Goodell and members of the Committee on Los Angeles Opportunities.
