Chargers lose to Packers as defense falters in closing minutes

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Justin Herbert’s passing and running rallied the Chargers for a late lead they could not hold Sunday over the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Herbert scrambled for an 11-yard gain to get the Chargers in scoring position and then hit Keenan Allen for the go-ahead 10-yard touchdown.

It was then up to the Chargers’ defense to preserve the lead with 5:24 remaining in the game. The Chargers lost last week to the Detroit Lions when Jared Goff directed a drive for the winning field goal in the final four minutes, after Herbert threw his fourth touchdown of the game.

The Packers took back the lead on Jordan Love’s 24-yard touchdown pass to Romeo Doubs with 2:33 left and then held on for a 23-20 victory over the Chargers. Love threw for 322 and two touchdowns for the Packers, who handed the Chargers their second consecutive loss and dropped them to 4-6 overall.

The key play on the Packers’ winning drive was a pass interference penalty on the Chargers’ Asante Samuel Jr. on a third-and-20 play that resulted in a 24-yard gain and kept Green Bay’s drive alive. Love’s pass was incomplete, but Samuel was penalized, giving Green Bay (4-6) a first down at its own 39.

Chargers outside linebacker Joey Bosa injured his right foot only four plays into the Packers’ first possession of the game, limping to the sideline before collapsing in a heap in front of the bench. He was then taken from the field on a cart and was later ruled out of a return to the game.

Bosa sat out of the Chargers’ victory over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 4 because of a broken big left toe. He was injured when he was accidentally stepped on during the Chargers’ victory over the Minnesota Vikings in Week 3. He played only five games last season because of a groin injury.

The teams were tied 10-10 at halftime, matching field goals and big plays for touchdowns. Cameron Dicker kicked a 25-yard field goal and Herbert threw a 51-yard touchdown pass to Stone Smartt for the Chargers. Jayden Reed rushed for a 32-yard TD and Anders Carlson kicked a 28-yard field goal for the Packers.

Dicker’s 26-yard field goal gave the Chargers a 13-10 lead, but the Packers countered with Love’s 11-yard touchdown pass to Christian Watson. However, Carlson’s extra point sailed wide right and Green Bay held a 16-13 lead over the Chargers going into the fourth quarter.

The Chargers drove to the Packers’ 2-yard line on their first possession of the fourth quarter, but running back Austin Ekeler fumbled and Green Bay recovered at its own 6. Ekeler slipped on the natural grass as he took a handoff from Herbert, but got to his feet before he was hit and lost the ball.