Chargers win with a ‘complete effort’
“I think just every week, it’s getting better,” said Herbert, who didn’t wear a glove on his left hand and just went with the finger heavily bandaged for the first time. “I thought we had a great plan. We went out there and executed exactly what we were going to do. I’m not surprised that we had great success moving the ball early.”
By Earl Heath
Contributing Sports Writer
It was a full team effort for the Los Angeles Chargers as they stepped up in all three phases and came away with a 30-13 win against Chicago at So-Fi stadium.
Justin Herbert started hot connecting on his first 15 passes. He would finish the day going 31 of 40 for 298 yards and three TD’s.
In the games first possession Herbert opened rolling to his right, then threw back and hit Austin Eckler with a bubble screen pass, the veteran running back raced down the sideline on a 39-yard jaunt completing a 10-play 92-yard drive that took 4:18 off the clock.
On the second possession Chargers (3-4) took over after a fair Catch interference call against the Bears placing the ball at the 45 yard-line.
Herbert then led them on a nine-play drive play drive connecting with tight end Simi Fohoko giving LA a 14-0 lead after Cameron Dicker’s PAT. In his third year it was his first NFL touchdown. He was signed off of Pittsburg practice squad.
“As soon as I caught the ball I sort of blacked out a bit,” said Fohoko with a laugh. “It was awesome.”
On Chicago’s next possession Bagent tried to hit DJ Moore on and out pattern when corner JaSir Taylor read it prefect and picked off the rookie QB.
However the drive stalled and kicker Cameron Dicker then nailed a 43-yard Field goal giving LA a 17-0 lead. The veteran kicker tallied 12 points on the day with three field goals (43, 53 and 32 yards) to go with three PAT’s.
On the ensuing Bears possession Tyson Bagent led his team to their first score of the game going 75-yards on 14 plays ending with a 11-yard run by Darrynton Evans, a rookie out of Appalachian State.
With 1:47 left in the half-led Herbert then led the Chargers on a 9-play 75-yard that he finished with an 11-yard TD toss to Donald Parham Jr, The Chargers went in at the half leading 24-0.
Herbert is still recovering from an injury left finger, that happened two weeks ago.
“I think just every week, it’s getting better,” said Herbert, who didn’t wear a glove on his left hand and just went with the finger heavily bandaged for the first time. “I thought we had a great plan. We went out there and executed exactly what we were going to do. I’m not surprised that we had great success moving the ball early.”
Newcomer Quinton Johnson had five receptions for 50 yards. It was his best outing as a Charger.
The defense was stingy all day they only gave up 73 yards rushing and 230 passing by rookie QB Bagent.
Eric Kendricks had ten tackles and Kenneth Murray Jr had nine to lead LA.
I think it was (most complete performance) of the regular season,” said coach Brandon Staley. “There are still some things that we need to improve on.”
