Tag: Cam Hart

Everything to know from Chargers’ win over Saints

Here’s our recap of the Chargers’ 26-8 win over the Saints.

The Chargers beat the Saints on Sunday afternoon, improving to 4-3.

Here’s our recap of the Week 8 win.

It was over when…

Ladd McConkey scored his second touchdown to extend the Chargers’ lead to 18.

Notable number

According to NextGen Stats, Joe Alt did not allow pressure on any of his 38 pass-blocking snaps against the Saints, tied for the most snaps without pressure allowed by a rookie tackle over the last three seasons.

3 stars of the game

  1. QB Justin Herbert: Herbert had a strong performance against the Cardinals last Monday night and carried that over to this weekend. Herbert finished 20 of 32 passing for 279 yards and two touchdowns. He also added 49 yards on the ground on four rushes, including one for a big 38-yard gain.
  2. WR Ladd McConkey: McConkey has shown flashes this season, but it was only a matter of time until he had a breakout game. That came on Sunday when he caught six passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns, including one for 60 yards.
  3. LB Daiyan Henley: Henley led the team in tackles (11) and had a pass deflection.

Quick hits

  • Herbert engineered a multitude of big plays through the air. On 10+ yard throws, he finished 7 of 11 for 195 yards and two touchdowns, highlighted by McConkey’s 60-yard scoring grab.
  • The Chargers had no problems finding the end zone after failing to score a touchdown since the second quarter of the Week 6 game against the Broncos.
  • Second-half scoring has been a problem this season. The Chargers hadn’t scored a touchdown in the third or fourth quarter since Week 1, but they ended that drought by scoring two in the second half. They were 2-of-3 in the red zone.
  • The offense had its fair share of struggles, however. The Chargers struggled to run the ball against a Saints defense that was bottom of the barrel in that department. They went 3-for-12 on third down. The pass protection was uneven.
  • The Chargers held the Saints to 2-for-14 on third down and prevented them from reaching double digits in scoring. But they still allowed 366 total yards, 117 of which came on the ground. Alvin Kamara had a few explosive plays, a product of Los Angeles’ handful of missed tackles in open space.
  • The Chargers did a much better job of generating pressure. They finished with five sacks and seven quarterback hits.
  • Special teams was sloppy early on. Josh Harris and JK Scott failed to connect on a punt snap, which resulted in a safety. Cameron Dicker also missed an extra point.

What’s next?

The Chargers are back on the road to face the Browns next Sunday, Nov. 3, at 11:00 am PT.

Social media reacts to Chargers’ win over the Saints

Here is how the general population reacted to the Chargers’ win over the Saints, with many heaping praise on Ladd McConkey’s big performance.

The Chargers defeated the Saints on Sunday.

The Bolts are now 4-3.

Here’s how social media reacted to the Week 8 game:

Statistical Breakdown: How the Chargers and Saints stack up before Week 8 game

Here’s how the Chargers and Saints stack up statistically ahead of Sunday’s matchup.

The Chargers and Saints are set to square off this upcoming Sunday.

Here’s how Los Angeles and New Orleans stack up statistically ahead of the Week 8 matchup:

Offense

Category Chargers Saints
Points per game 17.7 ppg (26th) 25.3 ppg (11th)
Passing offense 183.7 ypg (24th) 196.6 ypg (21st)
Rushing offense 116.3 ypg (18th) 116.3 ypg (19th)
Total offense 300.0 ypg (25th) 312.9 ypg (21st)
3rd down conversions 42.53% (7th) 43.68% (6th)
Red zone scoring 38.46% (30th) 69.57% (5th)
Sacks allowed 15 (12th) 16 (14th)
Turnovers 4 (4th) 11 (27th)

Defense

Category Chargers Saints
Points allowed 13.8 ppg (1st) 25.7 ppg (26th)
Passing defense 184.2 ypg (9th) 248.1 ypg (28th)
Rushing defense 111.2 ypg (9th) 146.7 ypg (29th)
Total defense 295.3 ypg (7th) 394.9 ypg (32nd)
3rd down conversions 36.49% (16th) 39.76% (21st)
Red zone defense 45.45% (7th) 41.67% (3rd)
Sacks 13 (25th) 15 (19th)
Takeaways 10 (13th) 13 (4th)

 

Jim Harbaugh not happy with officiating late in Chargers’ Week 7 loss to Cardinals

In his press conference after the game on Monday, Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh was upset on how the game was officiated.

The Chargers’ loss to the Cardinals on Monday was crushing. It dropped the AFC West squad to 3-3, and these kinds of games are crucial to the playoff picture later in the season.

Late in the Week 7 contest, a few questionable officiating calls contributed to the outcome. After the loss, head coach Jim Harbaugh was clearly upset with how the game was officiated.

“I saw what I saw, but I have no comment about it,” Harbaugh said about Cam Hart’s unnecessary roughness penalty.

The penalty helped Arizona march down the field for a game-winning field goal as time expired. That wasn’t the only controversial call late in the game, either.

On Los Angeles’ final drive, wide receiver Simi Fehoko was held up on a ball that landed in the endzone. After initially throwing a flag, the referees deemed the throw uncatchable and, therefore, picked up the flag.

“They [the refs] were doing the uncatchable sign. We had a double move on, he got grabbed. I’ll let them explain how they officiated that play,” Harbaugh said.

The picked-up flag forced the Chargers to settle for their fifth field goal of the game. A touchdown would have forced the Cardinals to go down the field and score a touchdown as well.

Despite the poor officiating, the Chargers acknowledged their lack of details throughout the contest. It was a game that slipped through their hands for many reasons, but the officiating was frustrating throughout.

Where the Chargers rank statistically after Week 7

Here is how the Chargers compare statistically to the rest of the NFL after Week 7

The Chargers fell to 3-3 after losing to the Cardinals on Monday night.

Justin Herbert had his most efficient game through the air, but the running game failed to complement him. They failed to find the end zone. Their inability to hold on to the football was also costly, as they fumbled twice.

With Week 8 coming up, how do the Bolts compare to the rest of the NFL? Here is where Los Angeles ranks:

Offense

Category Stat Rank
Points per game 17.7 ppg 26th
Passing offense 183.7 ypg 24th
Rushing offense 116.3 ypg 18th
Total offense 300.0 ypg 25th
3rd down conversions 42.53% 7th
Red zone scoring 38.46% 30th
Sacks allowed 15 12th
Turnovers 4 4th

Defense

Category Stat Rank
Points allowed 13.8 ppg 1st
Passing defense 184.2 ypg 9th
Rushing defense 111.2 ypg 9th
Total defense 295.3 ypg 7th
3rd down conversions 36.49% 16th
Red zone defense 45.45% 7th
Sacks 13 25th
Takeaways 10 13th

 

Chargers take a dip in NFL power rankings after Week 7 loss to Cardinals

Find out where the Chargers stand in the national eye after Week 7

The Chargers fumbled the game away on Monday night, falling short to the Cardinals.

After Week 7, let’s see where Los Angeles stands in NFL power rankings:

USA Today: 19 (Previous: 17)

“You could say a lot of things about the Bolts over the years, but rarely that they were boring. Welp. HC Jim Harbaugh’s Big Ten approach probably further lowers this team’s already limited ceiling.”

NFL: 17 (Previous: 15)

“This one is going to sting. Jim Harbaugh was irate with a pair of late officiating decisions — a non-call while his offense had the ball and an unnecessary roughness on his defense — but the Chargers really lost Monday’s game at Arizona by failing to finish drives. Los Angeles bled off more than eight minutes on its final march, but ultimately had to settle for Cameron Dicker’s fifth field goal of the night to go up, 15-14. On the Cardinals’ ensuing drive, the 15-yard flag on Cam Hart hurt, but giving up a 33-yard catch-and-run to James Conner on the very next play was what truly allowed Arizona to score the final three points and nab a 17-15 win. Justin Herbert passed for a season-high 349 yards and made some pretty throws — some caught, some not — when he wasn’t under heavy pressure. L.A.’s lack of offensive weaponry right now is glaring, especially with the run game stalling out. The Chargers crossed midfield seven times, but ran just one play inside Arizona’s 10-yard line. The schedule lightens in the coming weeks, but this loss is going to stick in Harbaugh’s craw for a while.”

ESPN: 18 (Previous: 17)

Young riser: FB/DT Scott Matlock

“As a rookie defensive tackle last season, Matlock played primarily on special teams. He was expected to have an increased role on the interior defensive line this season, but coach Jim Harbaugh switched Matlock to fullback and he has been an essential part of the Chargers’ rushing game. Matlock, 24, still plays defense and special teams; his 236 snaps are the 11th most on the team. He’s emerging as an unlikely but crucial part of one of the NFL’s best rushing offenses. ”

CBS Sports: 20 (Previous: 14)

“They are limited on offense with the injuries at receiver, and it showed up in the loss to the Cardinals. They need to get bodies back. The defense let them down late in that loss.”

Sports Illustrated: 19 (Previous: 15)

“Too low? I was impressed with the team’s ability to grind out an eight-plus minute drive to take the lead late in Monday night’s loss to the Cardinals, but Jim Harbaugh is going to have the time and space to build out his weapon set here in Los Angeles … and he’s going to need it. Will Dissly led the way tonight in receiving for the Chargers.”

Bleacher Report: 20 (Previous: 16)

“This is the sort of loss that comes back to haunt a franchise late in the season—the sort of defeat that can be the difference between a Wild Card spot and watching the postseason on TV. The Chargers outplayed the Cardinals in some respects. But the run game never got going, and Los Angeles only reached the red-zone once and settled for a field goal then. The argument can be made that Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers got out-toughed Monday night—and that’s a bad look for a squad that has hung its hat on physicality over the first month-plus of the season.”

Chargers PFF grades: Best, worst performers in Week 7 loss to Cardinals

Spotlighting Pro Football Focus’ highest and lowest-graded Chargers players from the loss to the Cardinals.

In Week 7, the Chargers lost on the road to the Cardinals, 17-15.

Along the way, there were some standout performers and others who did not contribute as much.

Here are the best and worst performers from Monday’s contest, according to Pro Football Focus’ player grades.

Top 5 Offense

QB Justin Herbert — 89.7

WR Josh Palmer — 80.3

OT Joe Alt — 76.2

TE Will Dissly — 74.6

OL Zion Johnson — 71.6

Top 5 Defense

EDGE Khalil Mack — 92.1

LB Denzel Perryman — 76.4

DT Poona Ford — 72.2

S Derwin James — 72.0

DT Otito Ogbonnia — 70.3

Bottom 5 Offense

TE Eric Tomlinson — 45.8

WR Ladd McConkey — 47.9

FB Scott Matlock — 48.3

WR Jalen Reagor — 56.0

OL Trey Pipkins — 56.2

Bottom 5 Defense

EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu — 29.0

LB Junior Colson — 29.2

S Alohi Gilman — 35.7

EDGE Bud Dupree — 43.1

CB Cam Hart — 44.3

Social media reacts to Chargers’ loss to the Cardinals

Here is how the general population reacted to the Chargers’ loss to the Cardinals, which includes thoughts on the questionable penalty on the final drive.

The Chargers lost to the Cardinals on Monday night.

The Bolts are now 3-3.

Here’s how social media reacted to the Week 7 game:

https://twitter.com/joereedy/status/1848573973220487596

Everything to know from Chargers’ loss to Cardinals

Here’s our recap of the Chargers’ 17-15 road loss to the Cardinals.

The Chargers lost to the Cardinals on Monday night, falling to 3-3.

Here’s our recap of the Week 7 loss.

It was over when…

Cardinals kicker Chad Ryland made a 32-yard field goal as time expired.

Notable number

Justin Herbert threw for 349 yards with a 97.1 passer rating tonight. No other quarterback in NFL history has thrown for that many yards with that high of a passer rating and yet had his team fail to score an offensive touchdown and lose the game, according to OptaSTATS.

3 stars of the game

  1. QB Justin Herbert: Despite not having much of a supporting cast around him to throw to, Herbert was still sharp and kept the Chargers in this game. He finished the contest 27 of 39 passing for 349 yards. Herbert also averaged 8.9 yards per pass, which is incredible, given the lack of talent in the receiving room.
  2. TE Will Dissly: Dissly was signed primarily as a blocking tight end. But on Monday night, he stepped up as Los Angeles’ top target in the passing game. Dissly caught eight catches for 81 yards.
  3. K Cameron Dicker: All the Bolts’ points came from field goals. Dicker made all five field goals he attempted, connecting from 59, 50, 29, 47 and 40 yards out.

Quick hits

  • Herbert played his best game of the season, throwing for over 300 yards. However, the Chargers still came up short. He connected with nine different pass-catchers. Five of them had catches that went for over 20 yards. But the group still struggled to create consistent separation and dealt with dropped passes.
  • Coming into this game, many, including myself, thought the Chargers would have success running the ball against a Cardinals defense that ranked 29th against the run. Los Angeles failed to do so. J.K. Dobbins only had 40 yards on 14 carries (2.9 YPC). Arizona did a good job of winning at the line of scrimmage and filling holes.
  • The Chargers failed to find the end zone in their only trip to the red zone. They have had 14 straight drives without a touchdown. The lack of talent among the skill players has been a factor, but Greg Roman’s playcalling is also to blame.
  • The Cardinals had their way against the Chargers on the ground. James Connor ran 19 times for 101 yards. Los Angeles had a hard time bringing down Connor the entire game, including on the final drive when he scampered for a 33-yard gain to get Arizona in position for the game-winning field goal.
  • We emphasized how imperative it was for the Chargers to contain Kyler Murray. For the most part, Murray was kept in check until he wasn’t when he ran along the sideline for a 44-yard touchdown.
  • The Chargers had a few plays they wish had gone the other way. It started with Teair Tart’s interception, which the Cardinals punched out and recovered. Shortly after, Jalen Reagor caught a deep pass and had it popped out into the end zone for a touchback. Cam Hart forced a fumble on Connor early in the second quarter, but Trey McBride recovered it.
  • The Chargers committed five penalties, but the last two were the most detrimental. As it approached the two-minute warning, a third-down flag was thrown for illegal contact/holding, but it was picked up. That would’ve resulted in a fresh set of downs. Then, Hart was flagged for unnecessary roughness on a hit to Marvin Harrison Jr.

What’s next?

The Chargers are back home to face the Saints (2-5) on Sunday, Oct. 27, at 1:05 p.m. PT. The game will be televised on FOX.

Sights and sounds from Chargers training camp: Day 3

A quick roundup of the highlights from Day 3 of Chargers training camp.

The Chargers continued training camp on Friday at The Bolts in El Segundo, CA.

Training camp can be attended for free (with tickets), but if you cannot be there, you will still be kept up with all the action throughout the session.

I will have training camp coverage with updates from practice below, courtesy of media members and fan posts.