INGLEWOOD, Calif. – By the time Justin Herbert threw his first interception in exactly three months late in the third quarter, the Los Angeles Chargers’ second half against Tampa Bay was already turning into a nightmare.

The Chargers never woke up in Sunday’s 40-17 win over the Buccaneers. Los Angeles faltered after a day that started encouragingly but collapsed spectacularly as it went on – just like some of their seasons in recent years.

“You go through a game like that and it’s tough,” Herbert said. “We were beaten badly and we have to do everything we can to learn from it and not let this game affect our next one.”

After leading 17-13 at halftime, the Chargers (8-6) reached the nadir of their largely encouraging first season under coach Jim Harbaugh with their third loss in four games. Los Angeles was defeated after halftime by Baker Mayfield and the Bucs, who scored the final 30 points in this showdown between would-be playoff contenders.

The NFL’s No. 1 scoring defense surrendered season highs of 40 points and 506 yards to Tampa Bay. Mayfield tore apart the Bolts’ secondary for 288 yards and four touchdowns, while Tampa Bay’s running game was similarly ruthless, racking up 223 yards on 39 carries. The Bucs scored on eight of their first 10 possessions and never had to punt.

The Chargers hadn’t been slapped like this all season.

“I feel like we didn’t get it done on defense today,” safety Derwin James said. “They hit us in the mouth and we didn’t stop the run or the pass or anything. We didn’t stop anything today. … We just need to clean it up on our side as a secondary. I feel like this was one of our worst games as a secondary player.”

For the seventh time in franchise history, Los Angeles gave up more than 500 total yards and 200 rushing yards in a game. This is the third time this has happened in the last four seasons, including a game against Mayfield and his Cleveland Browns in 2021 – although the Bolts won that shootout 47-42.

“When a team rushes at you for 200 yards, that’s something I don’t like,” Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack said. “It’s just frustrating.”

The effort was completely out of character for Chargers coordinator Jesse Minter’s defense, which has been consistently effective all season. Los Angeles held its first nine opponents to 20 points or fewer this season, but three of its last five opponents have scored at least 30 points.

“They’ve played almost perfect all year, and it’s tough,” Herbert said of his defense.

Herbert’s offense fared no better, managing just 64 yards after halftime and failing to score in the final 37 minutes. The running game was ineffective without the injured JK Dobbins, while Herbert – who is hobbling with an injured ankle – appeared to be feeling the difficulties of passing the ball effectively given the lack of elite playmakers at the Bolts’ skill positions.

The end of Herbert’s interception-free streak was another humiliation.

Los Angeles trailed just 23-17 in the third quarter when Herbert fell into a collapsing pocket near the Chargers’ goal line and fired a long pass off his back foot. Tampa Bay’s Jamel Dean was tripped when receiver Quentin Johnston fell while trying to chase down the thrown ball.

The interception ended Herbert’s flawless streak of 357 pass attempts, the fifth-longest in NFL history.

“You play quarterback without fear, and I’ll make my shots,” Herbert said. “I’m going to throw the ball downfield, and I have to be smart about it and understand that throwing it away might be better.” In this situation, you can’t rule out the aggressive mentality of throwing the ball downfield, especially towards you Your playmaker. But I have to do a better job.”

Herbert and his teammates all talked about the importance of quickly forgetting this game. That’s because the Denver Broncos (9-5) will be at SoFi Stadium on Thursday night for a crucial game in both teams’ playoffs.

Los Angeles won 23-17 in Denver in October, taking a 23-point lead in the fourth quarter before hanging on with a tenacity that the Chargers couldn’t muster against Tampa Bay.

“Next week is a must-win game, the most important game of our season,” James said. “I can’t wait to get ready and prepare for it. It just wasn’t our day today.”