INGLEWOOD, Calif. – The Giants arrived here after their week of practice at the University of Arizona as a closer-knit team that was refreshed and ready to face the Los Angeles Chargers.
"It was a positive week," coach Joe Judge said. "We actually had a really good week as a team. There was a lot of good prep work that happened there. A lot of good things internally with the team. I was very encouraged and pleased with how those guys worked throughout the week, how they handled themselves, conducted themselves. It was a good week of preparation."
Judge concluded his thoughts by saying, "obviously, it's all about how you carry that preparation over and execute."
About that last point…
The Giants could not put a happy ending to their feel-good week Sunday afternoon in SoFi Stadium. They fell behind early, gave up a late first-half score, and trailed in the fourth quarter by 30 points before two late touchdowns narrowed the final score to a still unsightly 37-21.
The defeat left the Giants at 4-9 with a home game against Dallas, the NFC East's first-place team, up next.
"I think we all would agree that we had a great week, great week of preparation, great team bonding, but it's the NFL," running back Saquon Barkley said. "Their team came out, had a great game plan, and executed and got the job done. So, hats off to them."
View all the action from the Week 14 matchup between the Giants and Chargers in Los Angeles.
New York Giants quarterback Mike Glennon throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull )
New York Giants running back Devontae Booker (28) carries during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New York Giants quarterback Mike Glennon throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull )
New York Giants quarterback Mike Glennon throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull )
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry, center, breaks up a pass intended for Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Josh Palmer (5) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
New York Giants quarterback Mike Glennon (2) throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
New York Giants safety Logan Ryan (23) enters the field during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) breaks up a pass intended for Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Josh Palmer (5) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) and nose tackle Austin Johnson (98) celebrate after a defensive stop during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New York Giants quarterback Mike Glennon (2) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The New York Giants line up against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
New York Giants quarterback Mike Glennon throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull )
New York Giants quarterback Mike Glennon throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull )
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) carries past Los Angeles Chargers middle linebacker Kenneth Murray (9) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New York Giants center Billy Price (69) signals during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull )
New York Giants fullback Eli Penny (39) catches a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) looks on from the bench during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Dec. 12, 202), in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis
New York Giants head coach Joe Judge walks on the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis )
New York Giants fullback Eli Penny (39) catches a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
New York Giants fullback Eli Penny (39) celebrates his touchdown catch with tight end Chris Myarick (41) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
New York Giants fullback Eli Penny (39) celebrates his touchdown catch with New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
New York Giants defensive back Keion Crossen (31) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New York Giants linebacker Cameron Brown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis )
New York Giants quarterback Mike Glennon (2) is chased by Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New York Giants fullback Eli Penny (39) catches a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Donald Parham, right, is tackled after a catch by New York Giants cornerback Aaron Robinson (33) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis )
New York Giants tight end Kyle Rudolph runs after a catch during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New York Giants safety Logan Ryan (23) defends during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Kyzir White (44) tackles New York Giants wide receiver John Ross (12) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis )
New York Giants safety Logan Ryan (23) defends during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs a route during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New York Giants quarterback Mike Glennon (2) throws a pass during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
New York Giants safety Logan Ryan (23) walks on the field the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New York Giants quarterback Mike Glennon (2) throws a pass during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is tackled by New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New York Giants running back Devontae Booker (28) runs past Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Joe Gaziano (92) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley, left, is hugged by teammates after catching a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) catches a touchdown in front of Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Michael Davis (43) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Josh Palmer (5) is tackled by New York Giants safety Logan Ryan (23) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard (3) is tackled by Los Angeles Chargers inside linebacker Amen Ogbongbemiga (57) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
LB Benardrick McKinney
DL Leonard Williams
QB Jake Fromm
RB Saquon Barkley
RB Saquon Barkley
TE Kyle Rudolph
T Nate Solder
QB Mike Glennon
QB Mike Glennon
HC Joe Judge
LS Casey Kreiter, HC Joe Judge, P Riley Dixon, K Graham Gano
HC Joe Judge
DL Dexter Lawrence
TE Chris Myarick
WR Sterling Shepard
CB James Bradberry
RB Saquon Barkley, WR Darius Slayton
DL Leonard Williams
DL Dexter Lawrence
DL Raymond Johnson III, DL Leonard Williams, DL Austin Johnson
TE Kyle Rudolph
DL Dexter Lawrence
QB Mike Glennon
QB Mike Glennon
QB Mike Glennon
QB Mike Glennon
WR Sterling Shepard
WR Sterling Shepard
CB James Bradberry
CB James Bradberry
S Xavier McKinney
CB James Bradberry
RB Saquon Barkley
T Korey Cunningham
CB Aaron Robinson
RB Saquon Barkley
TE Chris Myarick
WR Sterling Shepard
RB Saquon Barkley
QB Jake Fromm
WR Sterling Shepard
G Ben Bredeson
RB Saquon Barkley
RB Saquon Barkley
RB Saquon Barkley
TE Evan Engram
CB James Bradberry
CB James Bradberry
CB James Bradberry
G Ben Bredeson
S Xavier McKinney
S Xavier McKinney
RB Saquon Barkley
DB Logan Ryan
S Xavier McKinney
RB Saquon Barkley
DB Logan Ryan
G Will Hernandez
T Korey Cunningham
G Will Hernandez
S Julian Love
TE Chris Myarick
WR Kenny Golladay
T Andrew Thomas
WR Kenny Golladay
TE Evan Engram
QB Jake Fromm
CB James Bradberry
QB Mike Glennon
TE Kyle Rudolph
WR Sterling Shepard
TE Evan Engram
FB Eli Penny
LB Oshane Ximines
LB Quincy Roche
FB Elijhaa Penny
FB Elijhaa Penny
RB Devontae Booker
RB Gary Brightwell
WR Kenny Golladay
LB Elerson Smith
DL Leonard Williams
DL Dexter Lawrence
CB Darnay Holmes
CB Adoree' Jackson
S Julian Love
WR Kenny Golladay
FB Cullen Gillaspia
LB Blake Martinez
CB Adoree' Jackson
DL Leonard Williams
CB Darnay Holmes
S Julian Love
S Julian Love
S Julian Love
RB Devontae Booker
RB Gary Brightwell
RB Saquon Barkley
T Matt Peart
LB Azeez Ojulari
DL Raymond Johnson III
DL Austin Johnson
LB Reggie Ragland
LB Reggie Ragland
DB J.R. Reed
DB J.R. Reed
WR Kadarius Toney
QB Jake Fromm
DL Danny Shelton
T Andrew Thomas
WR Darius Slayton
S Xavier McKinney
LB Tae Crowder
QB Mike Glennon
G Will Hernandez
LB Tae Crowder
TE Evan Engram
QB Mike Glennon
WR Sterling Shepard
The Chargers improved to 8-5 and remained in the middle of the AFC playoff race. Los Angeles totaled 423 yards and 26 first downs. Justin Herbert completed 23 of 31 passes for 275 yards and three touchdowns and became the first quarterback in NFL history with at least 30 touchdown passes in each of his first two seasons.
Austin Ekeler scored on a one-yard run, rookie Joshua Palmer (12 yards), Jalen Guyton (59 yards), and Jared Cook (one yard) scored on passes from Herbert, and Dustin Hopkins kicked three field goals from inside 30 yards.
Mike Glennon again played quarterback for the Giants because Daniel Jones was inactive with a neck injury. He completed 17 of 36 passes for 191 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception and scored his first career touchdown on a seven-yard run.
The Giants tied the score at 7-7 on Eli Penny's three-yard touchdown reception, the first of his career. But that was the visitor's final hurrah. Los Angeles responded by scoring 30 consecutive points before late touchdowns by Barkley and Glennon tightened the final score.
Perhaps nothing encapsulated the day – and the season – more than the eight-play sequence late in the second quarter.
The Giants trailed, 17-7, and had a chance to cut into the Chargers' lead when they took possession after a punt at the Los Angeles 41-yard line with 1:40 remaining in the first half.
On first down, Glennon's pass for Sterling Shepard fell incomplete. Glennon then threw to the right side for Barkley, who caught the ball but lost two yards. The Giants had an opportunity on third down, but an open Devontae Booker couldn't secure a Glennon pass that was thrown behind him. Riley Dixon's 18-yard punt gave the Chargers a first down on their 25 with 40 seconds left.
"It was disappointing to me because we got the ball back at the (41-) yard line," Glennon said. "That is on us as an offense. We need to get points in that situation. Whether it is a field goal or a touchdown, it has to be something. To go three-and-out and give the ball back to them, that falls on me. In situations like that, we need to get points."
They couldn't, but the Chargers did. Herbert quickly connected for a 17-yard gain with Guyton, who stepped out of bounds to stop the clock. A one-yard sack by Azeez Ojulari and an incompletion set up a third-and-11. One stop and at worst the Giants would go to the locker room with no more than a 10-point deficit.
But Herbert and the Chargers conceded nothing. Herbert moved to his right to evade rushing linebacker Lorenzo Carter and threw deep down the center of the field for Guyton. Carter did put Herbert on the ground, but it was too late because the ball was already in the air. Guyton caught it at the goal line despite safeties Logan Ryan and Xavier McKinney being in close proximity. Los Angeles' lead ballooned to 24-7 and the Giants never seriously challenged.
"We were in a cover two, two-high defense, pretty safe defense," Ryan said. "I saw they had Guyton in the slot, speedster. Herbert's got one of the strongest arms in the league and the ability to roll to his right and throw it across the field. It's an opportunity there and we practiced it. We prepared for it. If someone's running down the middle to try to go steal it from the backside. We don't want him to get out of the pocket there and I felt like I had a good shot at it at about 50 yards where I felt like the ball was going to go based on that play and that crow hop, got it an extra 10 and I just didn't track the ball well. He kind of threw it down the middle of our defense between me and Zay."
"It's just very frustrating. I'm frustrated with myself. As a pro athlete, you have to make split-second decisions and you get judged on them and I didn't make the right one there. I'm frustrated for my teammates. I'm frustrated for the coaches. We practiced that play, and we were prepared for that play, and I just didn't make that play. That's on us. That's on the players there. That's on me. Very frustrating, but the kid's got arm talent and he ripped it down the middle of our defense. We've done a good job all year of preventing plays like that for the most part and unfortunately today, he got that one in."
"Of course, that was a situation we should have capitalized on," Judge said. "We get the field position, hold them defensively, get the ball back for the offense in good field position. We weren't far from field goal position at that point right there. We had a couple of plays on that drive that we needed to make more of. We've got to make those plays in those situations, and ultimately, we didn't do it. You come up short right there."
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