Chargers Can’t Overcome Giants
Fresh off a divisional win over Denver, the Los Angeles Chargers stumbled on the road, falling to the New York Giants 21-18 before 81,954 fans in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
By Earl Heath | Contributing Sports Writer
Fresh off a divisional win over Denver, the Los Angeles Chargers stumbled on the road, falling to the New York Giants 21-18 before 81,954 fans in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Quarterback Justin Herbert completed 23 of 41 passes for 203 yards and a touchdown to Quinton Johnston, but was also intercepted twice. Rookie running back Omarion Hampton was a bright spot for the Chargers (3-1), rushing for a career-high 128 yards on just 12 carries, including a 54-yard touchdown run—the longest by a rookie in franchise history.
Dart Shines in Debut
Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart made the most of his NFL starting debut, throwing for a touchdown and running for another to lead the Giants (1-3) to their first win of the season.
“It’s just a football game, that’s the best way to describe it,” Dart said. “Obviously, this experience was a special one, being my first one.”
Dart’s poise showed late in the third quarter. Two plays after an interception of Herbert by Dru Phillips, Dart shoveled a short pass to Johnson for a 3-yard touchdown. Running back Cam Skattebo followed with a two-point conversion—and punctuated it with a backflip in the end zone—to push New York ahead 21-10 with 2:49 left in the quarter.
Chargers Fight Back
The Chargers answered quickly. Hampton broke loose for his 54-yard score, and Herbert added a two-point conversion run to cut the deficit to 21-18. But Los Angeles would get no closer.
Earlier, the Chargers took advantage of a costly Giants penalty. With New York leading 13-3 late in the second quarter, Abdul Carter jumped offside on a fourth down, keeping the drive alive. On the next play, Herbert connected with Johnston on a 36-yard touchdown, trimming the halftime margin to 13-10.
Injuries Temper Game
The Giants’ victory celebration was muted by concern for rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers, who was carted off in the second quarter with a knee injury. For the Chargers, left tackle Joe Alt left the game in the first quarter with an ankle injury and was replaced by Austin Deculus.
“It stinks,” Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said of the loss. “Guys fought. Guys battled. We weren’t able to, and I wasn’t able to put us in position to win the game.”
What’s Next
The Chargers will look to regroup when they return home to host the Washington Commanders next week.
