Chargers set for return game against Falcons – Daily News

Khalil Mack smiled and then laughed, calling himself a loser after the Chargers’ loss last Monday night to the Baltimore Ravens, a loss that snapped their four-game winning streak and forced them to regroup in a short week before facing Atlanta. . Falcons on Sunday.

Joey Bosa, Mack’s outside linebacker, said there’s no point dwelling on the past other than working to fix everything that went wrong during the Chargers’ 30-23 loss to the Ravens. Bosa said it’s time to move on and prepare for the Falcons and all the challenges they may present.

Mac and Bosa have walked this path many times throughout their careers. They understand that they can slide over bumps and potholes and be better prepared for the ride. They also know that it is possible to get bogged down in the difficulties of the route from weeks 1 to 18.

“I feel like that’s life,” said Mack, an eight-time Pro Bowl selection in his 11 NFL seasons. “Life is full of adversity, and football is no exception. Many adversities will befall you. It’s about how you change direction and how you react, and that’s what we’re looking forward to this week – reacting.”

Bosa, a four-time Pro Bowl selection in his ninth season, agreed.

“Watch the game, see what we can do and move on,” Bosa said of reviewing the game against the Ravens. “There’s still a lot of ball to be played. It is impossible to stay on one game. You need to move on and make the most of the next opportunity. This is definitely a turning point. It’s important to win at this time of year to get where you want to be, especially to get a good playoff spot.”

Ah, the playoffs.

Last year, the Chargers made the playoffs with back-to-back wins over the New Orleans Saints, Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans and Cincinnati Bengals. Last week’s loss to the Ravens could be a temporary setback or a sign of trouble to come.

The Chargers must determine their next course of action.

Mac and Bosa, being veteran leaders, seemed to grasp this concept in separate interviews. It was clear to them that a win over the Falcons on Sunday would put them back on track to make the playoffs. But they also felt that this could not be guaranteed by any stretch of the imagination.

The Chargers will have to roll up their sleeves and get back to work.

Refusals will not be accepted.

“You sleep easier at night when you know you have accountability both in the locker room and upstairs (with the coaches),” Mack said. “Everyone is on the same page. (Defensive Coordinator Jesse) Minter came and fixed it. Now it’s all about Atlanta. There is a sense of urgency. It’s all about this week.”

When asked if the Chargers defense got a wake-up call against the Ravens, Bosa said, “I was talking about how we all really need to do our jobs, and I think all of us, including myself, got a little lazy about that.” . When it comes to tackling, it’s clear they have excellent players. We kind of let them act.”

If acceptance is the final stage of grief, and it is, then the Chargers appear to be in a good position heading into their game against the Falcons. Mentally, that is. Physically it may be a different story. The Chargers are battered and bruised at a number of key positions on both sides of the ball.

Running back J.C. Dobbins will not play because of a sprained knee suffered in the first half against Baltimore. Denzel Perryman is out with a groin injury and fellow midfielder Diane Henley is questionable with a calf injury. Safety Aloha Gilman is out with a hamstring injury.