Despite Keenan Allen at his best and quarterback Philip Rivers' milestone-marked afternoon, the Chargers fell, 27-20, to the Houston Texans Sunday.
"Obviously we're coming out sluggish, tired, whatever it is," said Allen. "We've just got to find a way to get over that hump, go execute and win the game."
But aside from the loss, Allen was a bright spot on the afternoon. He caught a career-best 183 yards on 13 receptions Sunday and also had two touchdowns on the afternoon.
"Keenan Allen is a big part of our offense," Lynn said. "We knew we could attack that secondary with Keenan... so that was a big part of the game plan."
After his second touchdown, which extended the Chargers lead to 10 at the half, Allen sauntered over to the right corner of the end zone and celebrated with Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson's signature ball flick, right in front of the former Chargers running back.
Tomlinson, along with other Chargers legends, was in attendance to celebrate the team's Fantennial weekend, which commemorated the NFL's 100th anniversary and the Chargers' 60th season.
Meanwhile, not only were Allen's 183 yards a career high, but he is now tied with former Chargers wide receivers Gary Garrison and Charlie Joiner for the third-most 100-plus receiving yard games in team history. Allen also passed Malcom Floyd and Anthony Miller for sixth on the team's all-time receiving yards list.
When asked what it feels like to have a career game in a loss, Allen remarked that it's "tough."
"In games like this... (my performance) probably gets overlooked," he said. "It's not as meaningful, obviously, with the loss. I try to be as consistent as I can be (and) as available as I can be for the whole season."
Allen's standout afternoon was due in part to Rivers, who ended the afternoon 31-of-46 with two touchdowns.
"I don't know that he can be covered by (one defender)," Rivers said. "I don't say that arrogantly. I think you'd say that about a handful of guys in this league, and he's one of them."
With 318 passing yards on Sunday, Rivers has had over 300 passing yards in a game 64 times, surpassing Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino for fourth-most in NFL history.
Rivers also made his 211th start on Sunday, passing Giants quarterback Eli Manning for second-most in NFL history.
"To come into his house and compete with him is special," quarterback Deshaun Watson said. "(After the game) I think he came looking for me. (Rivers said) great job, continue to grow, (that) I have a bright future and I'll see you in January."
Although Allen and Rivers kept the Chargers close, Watson proved to be a tough test for the Bolts.
Early in the fourth quarter, Watson scrambled around approaching Chargers defenders and completed a short pass to Jordan Akins for a 53-yard touchdown that lengthened the Texans lead to 10. Watson would finish the afternoon 25-of-34 with 341 passing yards and three touchdowns.
When asked what Lynn's message to the team was, Desmond King said his coach emphasized that the team has "a lot of games ahead of us."
"We (are) in a tough position right now," said King. "We can't let this one game affect the rest of the season and use this as motivation. Come back to work tomorrow, correct our mistakes, and move on to Miami."
The Chargers travel to Miami to face off against the Dolphins on Sunday at 10 a.m. PT on CBS.
