Tarheeb Still’s second interception, a 61-yard pick-six, lifts Chargers above Falcons

Tarheeb Still’s modest wave to the stunned Mercedes-Benz Stadium crowd wasn’t just a parting shot for the home fans. It was the rookie cornerback saying hello.

The former fifth-round pick threw two interceptions, including a pick he returned 61 yards for the game-clinching touchdown, in the Chargers’ 17-13 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, leading a defensive performance of ‘clutch that overcame a spray attack.

While the Chargers (8-4) threw four interceptions against Atlanta quarterback Kirk Cousins, they failed to score an offensive touchdown for the second time this season, botching a fake field goal attempt punt in the fourth quarter and were held to 187 yards, their second-lowest total of the season.

None of the shortcomings could dull the wide smile on Jim Harbaugh’s face after the game.

“It’s a beautiful thing,” the coach said. “We are witnessing complementary and winning football.”

The Chargers struggled early, fumbling twice on offense in the first quarter to fall behind 7-0. Still woke the team up by intercepting a pass thrown in triple coverage on the first play of the second quarter, leading to a field goal.

Facing fourth-and-5 with the Chargers trailing by one late in the third quarter, Still jumped in front of a pass intended for receiver Darnell Mooney in the flat, raced into the end zone untouched and raised his left hand toward the crowd before turning to celebrate with his teammates, who greeted him with wide-open arms and headbutts.

“You dream of playing on this stage, at this level,” Still said. “I come to see the guys do it and now it’s my turn to do it, it feels good.”

Still is the second Chargers rookie to record a game multi-interception and return one for a touchdown, joining John Hendy, who did it in 1985. The former Maryland Terrapin star was expected to throw a defensive touchdown, said Quentin Johnston. The receiver has watched Still calmly make these kinds of plays in practice since the offseason.

Even in a tense one-possession game in the fourth quarter, safety Derwin James Jr. surprised the rookie with a smile.

“He’s a ball player,” said James, who had the game-clinching interception on the Falcons’ final drive. “That’s it.”

Harbaugh called general manager Joe Hortiz’s selection of Still with the 137th overall pick in April “a gift from the football gods.”

The first-year general manager’s roster moves paid off again Sunday as veteran safety Tony Jefferson was signed from the practice squad Saturday and finished with eight tackles while entering the starting rotation for Alohi Gilman, injured.

Marcus Maye, who was claimed off waivers from the Miami Dolphins last week, threw an interception in the end zone in the fourth quarter, helping clear up a confusing fake punt that went wrong at the Miami Dolphins’ 36-yard line. Chargers.

Tight end Stone Smartt was stopped a half-yard away on a pass from punter JK Scott, giving the Falcons (6-6) prime field position trailing by four points.

“The defense was unbelievable,” Harbaugh said. “I overcame a coaching decision that I would have liked to take back. I think we will be better with my coaching decisions. Our offense will be better and our defense was there, it played its best when it was needed most.

Cameron Dicker lifted the Chargers to a 9-7 halftime lead. The kicker’s right leg remains the Chargers’ best weapon in the red zone, especially since the team rushed for just 56 yards with running back JK Dobbins (knee) on injured reserve.

Receiver Ladd McConkey starred in his return to Georgia with 117 receiving yards, including 105 in the first half, a record for a Chargers rookie, but the former Georgia Bulldogs star left the game with a neck injury. knee.

The Falcons had 10 sacks before the game, the fewest in the NFL, but dropped Herbert in the backfield five times. The quarterback threw for 147 yards while completing 16 of 23 passes. He was quick to hug his defensive teammates as he ran onto the field to kneel.

“I know this game might not be what (the offense) wanted,” said linebacker Daiyan Henley, who finished with 10 tackles, “but it’s what we needed.”

Boasting the league’s best defense in terms of points allowed, the Chargers have rebounded after giving up 30 or more points in back-to-back games. They hadn’t forced an out in three weeks, a drought that was beginning to eat away at the players.

After the offense delivered a breakthrough moment against the Cincinnati Bengals two weeks ago, James was eager for the defense to get the same opportunity late in the game on Sunday.

After the game-clinching interception, James made sure no one could forget the performance by unbuckling his helmet, leaning close to the cameras in the end zone and flashing a dazzling smile.

“You win in December, November,” James said, “you are remembered.”

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This story was originally published in the Los Angeles Times.