The Chargers trailed for most of their contest Sunday against the Cardinals but pulled out a 25-24 victory to advance to 6-5.
To recap the thrilling come-from-behind victory, here’s everything to know.
It was over when…
Justin Herbert found Austin Ekeler in the flat for a one-yard touchdown with 15 seconds left, then followed it up with a two-point conversion to Gerald Everett.
Game notes
- Corey Linsley (concussion) was ruled out in the second quarter. Will Clapp came in to replace the veteran, but you could tell the difference in the line’s communication without Linsley in the game. Trey Pipkins (knee) also missed some time but returned to the game at right tackle.
- Los Angeles once again struggled to stop the run, allowing James Conner to rush for over 100 yards for the first time since 2020 and giving up 5.3 yards per carry. Conner ended up finishing with 120 yards. Kyler Murray’s legs also proved to be an issue, even when the Chargers had a spy on the field. Murray finished with 56 yards and a rushing touchdown.
- On offense, the Chargers essentially refused to run the ball because of its ineffectiveness, despite Arizona giving up nearly 115 yards on the ground per game coming into the contest. LA had just 13 carries for 65 yards, good for five per carry. If you remove Herbert’s 23-yard scramble, that’s just 3.5 yards per carry.
- Herbert played the hits, for the most part, targeting Austin Ekeler fifteen times and Keenan Allen seven times. DeAndre Carter had ten targets and Josh Palmer had seven of his own. All other players saw eight targets combined. It was a relatively effective strategy, as Herbert completed nearly 75% of his passes.
- Los Angeles once again struggled to get off the field on third down, allowing the Cardinals to convert seven of their twelve third-down opportunities. Most of those chances came with 5 yards or less to go because of the Chargers’ inability to stop the run.
- Derwin James was all over the field, as usual, forcing a fumble on the first drive of the game and coming down with a fourth-down interception in coverage on DeAndre Hopkins.
- DeAndre Carter generated momentum late with a 20-yard punt return to put the Chargers on the Arizona 43 with 1:48 to go in the fourth quarter. The offense scored a touchdown with 15 seconds remaining, then Justin Herbert found Gerald Everett on the two-point conversion to take the lead.
3 stars of the game
QB Justin Herbert: 35/47 for 274 yards and 3 TDs, 4 rushes for 38 yards
WR DeAndre Carter: 7 receptions for 73 yards and 1 TD, 25 punt return yards
S Derwin James: 8 total tackles, 1 pass deflection, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble
What’s next?
The Chargers continue their road trip, traveling to Las Vegas to face the Raiders next Sunday at 1:25pm PST with a chance to sweep their rival.
