GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Justin Herbert threw for more than 300 yards, the defense held its ground outside of a few key plays and kicker Cameron Dicker had a perfect night.
The combination should have been enough for the Los Angeles Chargers to win, yet they found a way to leave the desert with a disappointing loss.
Plagued by missed opportunities all game, the Chargers lost 17-15 to the Arizona Cardinals on Chad Ryland's 32-yard field goal as time expired on Monday night.
“It was a game of near misses and close calls,” Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said. “It came down to a lot of details.”
The Chargers (3-3) got very little from the running game, stuffed all night while gaining 59 yards on 22 carries against the NFL's fourth-worst rushing defense.
Herbert tried to make up for it, throwing for 349 yards on 27-of-39 passing while hitting nine different receivers.
The problem: finishing drives.
The Chargers entered the game 28th in the NFL in the red zone and made it worse by repeatedly stalling drives.
Los Angeles had 395 total yards and crossed into Arizona's end eight times in nine drives, yet stretched their run of possessions without scoring a touchdown to 15 straight.
Dicker did his part by making five field goals, including a team record-tying 59-yarder in the first quarter and a 40-yarder with 1:58 left in the game.
The Chargers also lost two key fumbles after turning it over twice in the first seven games.
Defensive lineman Teair Tart had an interception on Arizona's first drive, but Cardinals running back James Conner tracked him down from behind and stripped the ball, recovered by the Cardinals (3-4). Receiver Jalen Reagor had the other after hauling in a 41-yard catch, losing the ball at Arizona's 3-yard line into the end zone for a touchback.
“We did a lot of good things, but we've got to score points in the red zone,” Herbert said. “We've got an amazing kicker, but we've got to do a better job for our defense, our special teams and score in the red zone.”
The Chargers' defense held its ground — except at key moments.
Agile Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray eluded Los Angeles' pass rush all night, hitting Chris Dortch on a 5-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter, breaking off a 44-yard scramble for another score early in the fourth.
Murray was held to 145 yards on 14-of-26 passing, but ran for 64 yards on six carries.
The Chargers took the lead on Dicker's last field goal, yet couldn't prevent the Cardinals from marching down the field for the winning kick.
Los Angeles cornerback Cam Hart was called for unnecessary roughness early in the drive for a hit to the head and Murray picked the Chargers apart with throws over the middle. Conner, who ran for 101 yards on 19 carries, turned a short catch into a 33-yard gain to the Los Angeles' 22 and Murray had to simply take a couple of knees to set up Ryland's winning kick.
“You've just got to build a callous,” Harbaugh said. “There's a taste in the mouth and you've just got to suck it up.”
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) throws a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Glendale Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh reacts to a call during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Glendale Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) runs from Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Tarheeb Still (29) during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Glendale Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Arizona's Kyler Murray rolled out to his left before turning on the jets, beating a Chargers defender to the sideline and then coasting for a spectacular 44-yard touchdown, casually holding the ball with one hand like it was a backyard game.
Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon admitted that's not the way his players are taught to protect the ball.
Then again, Gannon didn't teach Murray how to run like that, either.
“Until he fumbles, I'll let him ride,” Gannon said with a wry grin. “That was a pretty spectacular play.”
Murray ran for the game-changing touchdown early in the fourth quarter and then led the Cardinals on a drive that set up Chad Ryland's 32-yard field goal as time expired, and Arizona rallied for a 17-15 win over Los Angeles on Monday night.
Cameron Dicker kicked his fifth field goal of the night — this one from 40 yards — to give the Chargers a 15-14 lead with 1:54 left. But the Cardinals (3-4) quickly moved into field goal range, aided by an unnecessary roughness call on Cam Hart that cost Los Angeles (3-3) 15 yards.
Arizona followed that with a bruising 33-yard catch and run by James Conner, who finished with 101 yards on the ground and 51 yards receiving. Conner's big gain eventually set up Ryland's short field goal and a Cardinals celebration. Conner delivered a sterling speech to the team on Sunday night and backed up those words on Monday.
“That's just the way the season's been going,” Conner said. “As a captain on this team, that's the job description. Just tried to rally the troops.”
It was a frustrating night for the Chargers' offense, which gained 395 yards but couldn't find the end zone. Justin Herbert completed 27 of 39 passes for 349 yards. It was coach Jim Harbaugh's first loss on Monday night, dropping him to 6-1 for his career.
Dicker booted field goals of 59, 50, 28, 47 and 40 yards, the first of which tied a franchise record for distance.
The Chargers came into the game with one of the NFL's top defenses and had another good night, but the offense usually couldn't execute when it mattered most. Los Angeles has gone 16 consecutive offensive drives without a touchdown.
“I thought we did a lot of good things, but we've got to score points in the red zone,” Herbert said. “That's the biggest takeaway from tonight's game. We've got an amazing kicker, but we've got to do a better job for our defense and special teams. We've got to score points.”
Murray ran for his spectacular touchdown early in the fourth quarter for the 14-9 lead. It was Murray's second long touchdown run in three weeks after he scored on a 50-yard sprint against San Francisco.
“It's a good feeling, just putting the ball in the end zone,” Murray said. “Wish we could have done that more tonight, but a win's a win.”
It was also Murray's 20th career game with a touchdown pass and run.
Murray completed 14 of 26 passes for 145 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
Dicker's 28-yarder late in the third quarter gave the Chargers a 9-7 lead. Los Angeles gained possession after stopping Cardinals backup quarterback Clayton Tune on third-and-1 and fourth-and-1. The Cardinals sometimes use Tune in short-yardage situation because he's bigger than Murray.
Arizona scored on a 5-yard touchdown pass from Murray to Greg Dortch in the second quarter to take a 7-6 into halftime. It was Dortch’s first touchdown catch of the season.
Dicker made two field goals in the first half for the Chargers, including the 59-yarder. That was the longest kick of Dicker's career after he previously made two from 55 yards.
Los Angeles fumbled away a pair of great opportunities early in the first quarter.
On Arizona's opening drive, Murray had a pass deflected by Khalil Mack and intercepted by Teair Tait. The 304-pound defensive lineman started running downfield, but was stripped from behind by Conner before Arizona's Michael Wilson grabbed the fumble.
Then, on the Chargers' first drive, Herbert hit Jalen Reagor for a 42-yard gain, but Arizona's Starling Thomas stripped Reagor and the ball bounced into the end zone for a touchback.
“It was a game of a lot of near misses and close calls,” Harbaugh said. “Both teams played well. Came down to a lot of details, not just one play.”
Chargers: OLB Joey Bosa (hip) and TE Hayden Hurst (groin) were inactive.
Cardinals: CB Sean Murphy-Bunting (neck) left in the first half. LB Dennis Gardeck (knee) left in the third quarter.
Chargers: Host New Orleans on Sunday.
Cardinals: At Miami on Sunday.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Glendale Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, left, talks with Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) after an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Glendale Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins (27) is tackled as he runs up field during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Glendale Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh, left, talks with down judge Dana McKenzie, right, during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Glendale Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Greg Dortch catches a 5-yard touchdown pass in front of Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Ja'Sir Taylor (36) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Glendale Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Jalen Reagor (89) runs from Arizona Cardinals cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting (23) after catching a pass during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Glendale Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Fans cheer during the first half of an NFL football game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Los Angeles Chargers, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Glendale Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner fumbles the ball as he is hit by Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. (3) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Glendale Ariz. The Cardinals recovered the fumble. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray throws a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Glendale Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) is sacked by Arizona Cardinals defensive end Ben Stille (90) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Glendale Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Los Angeles Chargers place kicker Cameron Dicker (11) kicks a 50-yard field goal during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Glendale Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, in Glendale Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
