Carolina Panthers (0-2) – Los Angeles Chargers (2-0): 3 – 26
Dear readers, let's be honest: this wasn't the game of the year. Really, it wasn't. While the Chargers came out with a score largely in their favor, they didn't have to force it because the adversity was cataclysmic. Only JK Dobbins and his flight lit up this game. On offense, as on defense, Carolina seems extremely weak at the start of the season.
The first half is a long ordeal for the Panthers. However, Los Angeles is not perfect, far from it. Justin Herbert (14/20, 130 yards, 2 TD, 1 int) throws a questionable interception, the Chargers miss an extra-point, are on the verge of releasing a punt… But the score is clear at the break: 20-0 for the visitors. A double by Quentin Johnston (5 rec, 51 yards, 2 TD) in the air and a beautiful run punctuated by a somersault for JK Dobbins (17 carries 131 yards, 1 TD). At least there is a show.
The height of shame: Carolina barely gained 54 yards of offense in 30 minutes. They were penalized 6 times for 55 total yards.
Little alert for Justin Herbert
The second half offers an even sadder spectacle than the first: no touchdowns scored, two field goals for Los Angeles, only one for Carolina. A small fumble lost by Justin Herbert on which the Panthers will not even capitalize. In total, the locals will have found only 7 first attempts during the match.
A small warning, however, for Justin Herbert, who went through the medical tent but quickly returned to the field. It's not as if Jim Harbaugh's attack was in danger of suffering: the Chargers ran 44 times for only 20 passes. But the essential is elsewhere: the Chargers won their first two games.
It's hard to imagine how the Panthers can hope for anything other than the first pick in the draft. Bryce Young (18/26, 84 yards, 1 int) looked like he was in total disarray and the defense didn't really weigh on the Chargers' poor performance. In terms of statistics, Chubba Hubbard came out with a nice line: 10 carries for 64 yards and 4 receptions for 12 yards. Little consolation.
