NFL teams
Eric D. Williams, ESPN Staff Writer 6y

Chargers' Anthony Lynn scolds Melvin Gordon for goal-line struggles

CARSON, Calif. -- As a former running back in the NFL who played behind Hall of Famer Terrell Davis while with the Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers coach Anthony Lynn understands what it takes to be an elite back in the league.

And that's why Lynn was so strong in his admonishment of running back Melvin Gordon after he failed to get into the end zone from a yard out on four straight runs on the Chargers' first drive of the game in a shutout win over the Broncos on Sunday.

"If I get a good back on the 1-yard line, I put it on the back," Lynn said. "I don't give a damn what the offensive line does or the fullback, I put it on the back."

The Chargers ended up turning the ball over on downs. However, Gordon was bailed out when the Chargers' defense forced the Broncos to punt, and Travis Benjamin returned the punt 65 yards for a score.

"I've got to make it happen," Gordon said. "It falls on me. On the third attempt, I got a one-on-one battle and I lost. It's just me, bro. As a back, I kind of pride myself on when I get in that area to make it happen, regardless of how it's blocked.

"My mindset is 'Get in and find a way.' And I fell short of that for the first time in a while. So I've just got to bounce back and regather. And I'll be good. And when I get back in the situation again, I'll make the best of it."

Gordon said looking back he should have made one attempt to jump over the pile, especially on the fourth-down run. Gordon jumped over the pile for a 1-yard score in a win against the Oakland Raiders last week, but got hit in the groin and said he'd rather not take a leap at the goal line.

Entering into Sunday's contest, Gordon had been mostly effective in goal-line situations. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Gordon was 7-for-12 getting into the end zone from the 1-yard line in his career, including 2-for-2 this season.

But Lynn wasn't holding back in his assessment of Gordon's work near the goal line against the Broncos.

"That was absolutely terrible," Lynn said. "Anytime we have the ball on the 1-yard line and I give it to my back four times in a row and we don't get it in, that's awful."

Here are the snap counts for the Chargers' Week 7 win against the Broncos:

OFFENSE (Based on 58 snaps)

Quarterback – Philip Rivers 58.

Running back – Melvin Gordon 40, Austin Ekeler 18, Derek Watt 13.

Wide receiver – Keenan Allen 47, Tyrell Williams 43, Travis Benjamin 22, Mike Williams 14.

Tight end – Hunter Henry 47, Sean McGrath 23, Antonio Gates 18

Offensive line -- Russell Okung 58, Spencer Pulley 58, Michael Schofield 58, Kenny Wiggins 55, Matt Slauson 39, Dan Feeney 26, Sam Tevi 1.

Offensive analysis – Chargers finished with just 242 total yards on offense, according to ESPN Stats & Information, the fewest in a win since 2012. ... The Chargers did not turn the ball over against the Broncos for just the second time this season, and have two turnovers in the past three games. ... Undrafted rookie Ekeler finished with 38 yards on seven carries for a 5.4 per carry average.

DEFENSE (Based on 64 snaps)

Line -- Melvin Ingram 51, Joey Bosa 50, Darius Philon 33, Brandon Mebane 27, Tenny Palepoi 26, Damion Square 25, Chris McCain 23, Jerry Attaochu 21.

Linebacker -- Hayes Pullard 48, Jatavis Brown 18, Kyle Emanuel 17, Korey Toomer 15.

Secondary -- Trevor Williams 64, Casey Hayward 64, Jahleel Addae 64, Tre Boston 63, Adrian Phillips 46, Desmond King 47, Rayshawn Jenkins 2.

Defensive analysis -- Addae led the Chargers with nine combined tackles, including a tackle for a loss, against the Broncos. ... Ingram is No. 4 in the NFL with 8.5 sacks, while Bosa is No. 6 with 7.5 sacks. ... The Chargers held the Broncos to 3 of 14 on third down (21 percent) and 0 of 2 on fourth down.

^ Back to Top ^