SAN DIEGO — The smile had dimmed a bit, but not by much.
San Diego Chargers coach Mike McCoy met the media on Friday, with the remnants of Thursday’s win still evident.
It’s hard to overstate what the 21-13 victory over the Denver Broncos meant. For the team, of course, but for McCoy, especially.
McCoy lived to coach another day after his team ended a string of three straight losses — all in the final minutes. So while McCoy was able to exhale, Tom Telesco deserved a tip of the cap.
The general manager didn’t have the cameras trained on him, but his players were in action. Among the reasons the Chargers were able to snap a three-game losing streak was the Class of 2015.
Nearly every time the Chargers needed a critical play in breaking a 10-game losing skid against AFC West teams, a rookie was there to assist.
Tight end Hunter Henry, a second-round pick, was sure-handed and a load to tackle.
Linebacker Jatavis Brown, a fifth-rounder, had a sack and a forced fumble — in the same series.
Defensive end Joey Bosa, the draft’s third overall selection, had two quarterback hits but not much else on the stat line. But he was occupying two blockers with regularity and opening up pass-rushing lanes for his teammates.
“I think it is a great class with Hunter, me and Jatavis,” Bosa said. “Jatavis had a ridiculous game.”
Defensive end Corey Liuget, a six-year pro, was impressed by the rookie.
“We got a lot,” he said. “It lets us know the front office is picking some good guys in the draft that can come in and play right away.”
While the kids ascend, the veterans will enjoy some time off.
With the Chargers’ second win coming on a Thursday, the team doesn’t play again until Oct. 23 at the Atlanta Falcons. But that can wait.
The Chargers, who had lost games in ways nearly unimaginable, get to marinate with a victory. With a dose of confidence, maybe a run awaits.
“I feel like we can keep getting better,” right tackle Joe Barksdale said.
What did Thursday’s victory mean to McCoy? He got to keep his job.