Tarheeb Still is in tears.
After intercepting Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins in the second quarter to give the Chargers some much-needed momentum, Still largely watched as Atlanta threw the ball to the other side of the field or ran the ball.
This was a good strategy for the Falcons, who continued to move the ball effectively against Jesse Minter's defense. Atlanta put together another long drive late in the third quarter, taking a 10-9 lead and converting a fourth down to move the ball over midfield.
The Chargers, meanwhile, had asked Ladd McConkey to take over the entire offense. A normally dormant Falcons pass rush sacked Justin Herbert four times, making things difficult for LA all day.
Los Angeles needed a spark.
Still, they delivered as the Falcons tacked on a second fourth down, completing a 4th-and-5 pass from the Chargers' 40-yard line. Still and safety Marcus Maye confused Cousins in coverage, giving the rookie the best opportunity to jump a curl route and run almost into the end zone from 61 yards out.
After that, the Chargers decided to go for two. Justin Herbert fired a shot over the middle to Joshua Palmer to make it 17-10 for the Chargers with 1:39 left in the third quarter.
