Chrome open in browser instead of download

Recent changes to Google Chrome altered how PDF files are handled. My extreme preference is that PDF files are only downloaded. I will then open the file in my system default PDF viewer if needed.

When I'm downloading several manuals that pertain to a specific piece of equipment, I do NOT need to view those manuals immediately. My goal is to simply download them to local storage as quickly as possible.

Chrome v56 no longer allows the built-in viewer to completely disabled. The only option is to go to Settings -> Content -> tick the box that says to open the PDF file in the system default PDF application.

This is NOT what I want. Quite simply, I do NOT want the PDF file to open automatically at all. Save the file; do NOT open the file.

I have tried right-clicking the download link for the PDF file and selecting "Save Link as ..." but that behavior has now changed as well. Specifically, most of the time, what gets downloaded is a URL rather than the PDF file.

FWIW - my download setting in Chrome points to the top-level directory in my Download folder and the check box "Ask where to save download file" is ticked.

Is there any way to persuade Chrome to revert back to previous behavior and just download the file to local storage?