Chargers can’t find a way to finish: Takeaways from overtime loss to Chiefs

Chargers coach Brandon Staley, left, congratulates quarterback Justin Herbert after a touchdown drive against the Chiefs.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

The Chargers finished two for five on fourth down, inviting questions about the impact of those three failures, two of which came on fourth-and-goal situations at or inside the five-yard line.

Staley has remained aggressive on fourth down throughout his rookie year as a head coach, the Chargers now 15 of 26 for the season. Their 15 conversions lead the NFL. Their 57.7% success rate ranks 12th.

“From where my mindset is, I know that the quickest way to win a game like that is to score touchdowns, not field goals, especially considering who’s on the other side,” Staley said. “To me, when you feel like you’re in an advantage situation, when you don’t feel like it’s a gamble . . . then that’s going to be our mindset.”

The Chargers passed on nine potential points with those three misses. They could have attempted two short field goals and what would have been a 46-yarder.

But Staley repeatedly has talked about his preference to keep the ball in the hands of Herbert, saying the young quarterback gives the Chargers their best chance.

“I don’t think that any decision that I made tonight was a gamble,” Staley said. “We felt like it was an advantage situation for us. That’s why we did it. . . . That’s the way we’re going to do things around here. I know our team embraces that mindset. We’re going to continue to do it every game we play.”