Chargers takeaways: Defense’s turnover splurge, next men up key in win over Falcons
LA TimesChargers safety Tony Jefferson tackles Falcons receiver Drake London in the second half. The ever-changing Chargers secondary got a boost from two more sudden additions Sunday as safeties Tony Jefferson and Marcus Maye were the latest embodiment of the Chargers’ next-man-up mentality. Maye’s fourth-quarter interception in the end zone preserved the Chargers’ four-point lead after giving the Falcons great field position following a failed fake-punt pass attempt. Despite limited time on the field with his new teammates, Maye said he knew “a good bit” of the defense that coach Jim Harbaugh said was similar in structure to what the Dolphins were running. “It’s part of the nature of the business that we are in,” said Maye, who safety Derwin James Jr. joked hasn’t said more than 10 words to his teammates while studying the playbook.