Anthony Lynn on Chargers’ loss to Ravens: ‘I think this can be a wake-up call’

Maybe it was exactly what the Los Angeles Chargers needed.

They had been cruising along, especially on offense, and had a postseason berth already locked up. And then, in Week 16, the Chargers came up against the dominant defense of the Baltimore Ravens, who were the more desperate team as they try to reach the playoffs.

‘For them to play a little more desperate than we did is inexcusable’

The result was a 22-10 loss that Chargers coach Anthony Lynn hopes will serve as a vivid reminder to his team of how it needs to perform if it has any intention of a deep run after Sunday’s season-finale against the Denver Broncos.

“I’m glad we can do it now than later and we’ll see how we respond.”

“I think this can be a wake-up call (about what can happen) if you don’t bring it,” Lynn told Ross Tucker and Ed McCaffrey on The Opening Drive. “You may think you’re bringing it. I mean, we had a great week of practice and we talked about how physical this team was going to be and it was a challenge. But for them to play a little more desperate than we did is inexcusable.

‘I think it’s a good lesson for us to learn’

“They needed that win (for a chance) to get in and we’re already in. But I think when you’re a championship team, you play at a certain level, regardless. And, so, we’ve talked about it. I think it’s a good lesson for us to learn and I’m glad we can do it now than later and we’ll see how we respond.”