Los Angeles Chargers (4-3) – New Orleans Saints (2-6): 26-8
It wasn't great for Los Angeles, but it was enough. As is often the case, the New Orleans defense played open days, conceding 378 yards. Justin Herbert (20/32, 279 yards, 2 TDs) played the superhero. He launched – and ran (!) – with pragmatism. It was enough to win against a Saints team in the midst of a spiral of defeats, the sixth in a row.
Rare fact: Los Angeles conceded a safety in the first quarter with its special team. The squad that often pulled the Chargers down did it again with this missed punt converted into a safety by the Saints. LA kicker Cameron Dicker even managed to miss an extra point. All this, fortunately, without major consequences.
Another notable point, the Chargers' best runner in this match has long been… Justin Herbert (4 races, 49 yards)! The Los Angeles quarterback, well helped by a nice 38-yard breakthrough, was only caught in the 4e quarter-time by a very good JK Dobbins (17 races, 57 yards, 1 TD).
Justin Herbert, the rock in the storm
Opposite, it was Alvin Kamara who was the main offensive locomotive: 55 yards in the air, 67 yards on the ground, the versatile runner was everywhere for New Orleans. Chris Olave also did his part (8 recs, 107 yards). But despite this great performance, the Saints did not score a single touchdown. Dennis Allen, whose days are numbered at the head of the team, tried to change quarterback in the 3e by bringing in Jake Haener (9/17, 122 yards), without much success. Spencer Ratteler (12/24, 156 yards) was not catastrophic, however.
The Chargers did everything to scare themselves at the end of the game. But Justin Herbert resisted a sack in his own end zone to avoid a new safety. He was almost intercepted but luck/success was with him and Pete Werner released the ball. Finally, the former Oregon Ducks threw a new touchdown to the untenable Ladd McConkey (6 rec, 11 yards, 2 TD) to seal the fate of the match.
For Los Angeles, the quest for the playoffs continues. And Jim Harbaugh proves that he also knows how to coach a passing team. On the other hand, we no longer know which way to turn in New Orleans. Quickly, the return of Derk Carr!
