Tag: Chargers vs. Bears

Studs and duds from Chargers’ win over Bears

Before Jets week, let’s talk about the Chargers’ studs and duds from the win against the Bears.

The Chargers got back in the win column with a 30-13 win over the Bears. The team certainly needed a complete three phases of the game type of win to right the ship after two losses to Dallas and Kansas City. On one hand, it is the Bears. One has to wonder how much of this win is transferable to some of the more difficult opponents they’re going to play.

But there were some positive steps taken by a few key players that could be important in their next games. Before Jets week, let’s talk about the studs and duds from the win against Chicago.

Stud: WR Quentin Johnston

The lack of Quentin Johnston integration felt like a sore spot in the Chargers’ offense throughout the first two months of the season. With the loss of Mike Williams for the rest of the season and now the Joshua Palmer knee injury causing problems, LA had no other option but to get their first-round pick going.

And get going, he did. Johnston had five receptions for 50 yards and drew a defensive pass interference penalty. With the penalty, the former TCU star picked up five first downs on the night. He was a pivotal part of the scoring drive before the half that ended in a Donald Parham touchdown.

Johnston also had his highest yards per route run figure of the season at 1.85. His passer rating, when targeted, was also the highest this year at 101.4.

Perhaps it wasn’t the big 100-yard, multiple-touchdown breakout game that some fans have been looking for in comparing Johnston to his draft classmates at the position. But this game was undoubtedly a step in the right direction for the Chargers’ first-round pick, and it comes at a pivotal time considering Palmer’s knee injury.

Dud: The running game

Part of the story on offense for the Chargers in the last few years has been the inability to protect a big lead due to lack of a potent running game. Against Chicago, that was evident. The Chargers averaged just 2.2 yards per carry against Chicago on 25 attempts.

LA’s last three offensive possessions of the game all ended on unsuccessful runs. Austin Ekeler was stuffed on 4th and 1 and fumbled on the next drive. The final offensive drive of the night ended with a three-yard Isaiah Spiler run and punt on a quick 3 & out.

The numbers indicate that this has been a season-long issue for the Chargers. Since the BYE week, the Chargers have averaged 3.32 yards on 74 carries. Removing the one outlier, Joshua Kelley’s run against the Chiefs would drop that figure to 2.7 yards on 73 carries.

There are a lot of factors at play. Austin Ekeler missed a month of the season with an ankle injury. Will Clapp hasn’t been as steadying of a force in the middle as a healthy Corey Linsley would’ve been. Kellen Moore not performing as expected in scheming the run game is part of this as well.

Whatever the diagnosis is, the Chargers need to get their run game going in a better direction if they want any shot at January football.

Stud: EDGE Joey Bosa

After dealing with an injured hamstring and toe fracture for over a month, Joey Bosa looked more like his usual self against Chicago. This was the first week Bosa was not on the injury report in any capacity.

Bosa finished with five pressures, one sack, three hurries, and four stops in the backfield. If the Chargers can reliably get this kind of production from him in the future, they’ll be in a lovely spot with their EDGE room.

Again, it’s the Bears’ offensive line. It’s probably best not to overreact to one game. But Bosa looked much quicker and more effective off the line than in a while. If he’s less encumbered by his previous toe fracture now, that’s a massive win for LA’s defensive front in the future in both pass rush and run defense.

Dud: Tre’ McKitty, Stone Smartt + TE blocking

As mentioned earlier, the run game has not been good enough recently. A large part of that has been the tight end blocking, in addition to other factors. I didn’t even need to look at the PFF offensive numbers on Monday morning to be able to tell you that two of the lowest-graded players once again would be Tre’ McKitty and Stone Smartt.

Gerald Everett being out for the Chargers is a massive loss because he is essentially the lone competent blocker in the tight end room. They tend not to ask Donald Parham to do much blocking, especially in this game, where he was primarily asked to be a receiver. McKitty and Smartt have been doing the dirty work since Week 1, and it just hasn’t been good enough in the blocking department.

On Wednesday, the Chargers waived McKitty. That leaves a tight end room of Everett, Parham, and Smartt, assuming Everett returns from injury this week. The Chargers have Nick Vannett on the practice squad. Frankly, it’s a surprise he’s never been promoted to the active roster this season with their blocking struggles.

Maybe the Chargers will scour the free-agent market to see what they can find post-trade deadline. But the lack of good blockers in the tight end room is a huge reason why this offense has struggled as hard as it has in the last month.

Stud: QB Justin Herbert

Justin Herbert bounced back in a big way against the Bears. While the broken finger is still clearly bothering him, this felt like the first game where he was used to playing with it. It also helped that he didn’t absorb as much defensive pressure as he had in the last few games. It was the first time since Week 2 that the Chargers didn’t allow double-digit quarterback pressures.

Herbert finished with 299 yards, 77.5% completion, and no turnovers. He was electric in the first two quarters, with quite the completion streak before it broke near halftime.

This felt like the first game in a while where Herbert was taking what the defense was willing to give him and making sound decisions as a result at the line. Keying in on his initial read a little too early was also a problem against Kansas City and Dallas. That didn’t happen as much on Sunday night.

Dud: Second half offense

The Chargers certainly have a bit of a post-halftime points crisis. In their last three contests, the Chargers have scored just 16 points in the second halves against Dallas, Kansas City, and Chicago.

The running game, as mentioned earlier, is undoubtedly a big part of the problem. The lack of quality tight end blocking and some questionable play calling when the lack of a run game is a known quantity issue as well.

Luckily, the Chargers were playing against a Tyson Bagent-led offense that struggled to move the ball most of the night. If the Chargers were up against a better offense, though, I’m not sure they would’ve protected a 17-point halftime lead with two field goals, two 3 & outs, a turnover on downs, and a fumble.

2023 Power Rankings Roundup, Week 9: Where Chargers stand after win over Bears

Here is what the national media thinks of the Chargers after their win over the Bears.

The Chargers are coming off a primetime win over the Bears.

Here is what the national media thinks of the Bolts ahead of Week 9:

USA Today: 14 (Previous: 21)

“The juice has returned to the offense, largely thanks to the life that’s returned to Austin Ekeler’s legs. Sunday night, he became the first running back in the Super Bowl era (since 1966) to amass 30 TD receptions with one team.”

Touchdown Wire: 14 (Previous: 15)

“Speaking of the Chargers, if they played the Bears every week, they’d be the best team in football. If they can get to 4-4, their playoff hopes will stay alive.”

NFL: 18 (Previous: 22)

“Justin Herbert and Brandon Staley suggested after defeating the Bears that this was exactly the kind of win the Chargers needed, and I absolutely agree — from a confidence standpoint. Sometimes you need to open it up on the highway; Herbert and the passing game certainly did that Sunday night, even if the run game still lags behind. But let’s keep the big picture in mind here. The Chargers are still swimming upstream at 3-4 (and 1-3 in the conference), and I am not convinced that taking down Chicago and a Division-II rookie QB making his second NFL start was the get-right event that immediately veers the season back on course. The Bolts face mostly tough defenses from here on out (if you believe the Broncos are fixed) and will need their own defense to tighten several screws.”

CBS Sports: 14 (Previous: 18)

“That Chargers team we saw against the Bears is the one we expect to see with all that talent. But consistency is always an issue with that team.”

ESPN: 15 (Previous: 18)

Team QBR: 69.6 (4th)

“The Chargers made Justin Herbert the highest-paid player in franchise history in the offseason after three seasons that established Herbert as one of the best in the NFL at the position. But his play this season has fluctuated between spectacular and dreadful. After a fractured left middle finger in Week 4, Herbert had one of the worst three-game stretches of his career, with missed throws and career lows in yards and completions. Herbert returned to form in Week 8, a blowout win over the Bears in which he completed his first 15 passes and finished with no interceptions for the first time since Week 3.”

Yahoo Sports: 14 (Previous: 17)

“Austin Ekeler looked healthy for the first time since he suffered an ankle injury early this season. He had 123 total yards. He can add an element to the Chargers’ offense that has been missing.”

The Athletic: 15 (Previous: 23)

Something scary (for others): Joey Bosa could be getting there.

“The veteran defensive lineman hasn’t looked like himself in a while, but he had a season-high five pressures against the Bears, and his pressure percentage (23.5) was his second-highest of the season. Bosa has four sacks this year and only 6 1/2 in the last two seasons, but if he can get back to his 2020 form (10 1/2 sacks), it’ll be a boost for a Chargers defense that needs some help.”

Chargers PFF grades: Best, worst performers in Week 8 win over Bears

Spotlighting Pro Football Focus’ highest and lowest-graded Chargers players from the win over the Bears.

In Week 8, the Chargers defeated the Bears, 30-13.

Along the way, there were some standout performers and others that were duds.

With That, here are the best and worst performers from Sunday’s contest, according to Pro Football Focus’ player grades.

Note: To be more accurate, this is based on players who played at least 35% of the snaps on offense (69) or defense (73).

Top 5 Offense

OL Jamaree Salyer — 73.6

WR Quentin Johnston — 72.3

OT Trey Pipkins – 70.4

TE Donald Parham Jr. — 67.2

OL Zion Johnson — 67.1

Top 5 Defense

EDGE Joey Bosa – 82.7

LB Kenneth Murray – 80.9

EDGE Khalil Mack — 76.9

CB Michael Davis — 71.9

EDGE Chris Rumph II — 71.1

Bottom 5 Offense

WR Joshua Palmer — 60.9

WR Keenan Allen – 60.8

RB Austin Ekeler — 56.4

C Will Clapp — 54.8

TE Stone Smartt – 40.8

Bottom 5 Defense

DT Morgan Fox — 62.8

S Derwin James — 61.0

DT Sebastian Joseph-Day — 55.8

DT Nick Williams — 37.0

DT Scott Matlock — 35.1

4 takeaways from Chargers’ 30-13 win over Bears

Here is what stood out from the Chargers’ win over the Bears on Sunday night.

Chargers games frequently make people tired, so the weariness pervading the fanbase after Sunday’s win over Chicago came as no surprise. What did was the way in which Los Angeles cast the spell: normally the exhaustion is borne out of frustration with a team incapable of keeping their foot on the gas. Sunday’s contest was sleepy because the wire-to-wire victory was defined by a complete performance that left no room for typical Chargers shenanigans.

Here’s what to take away from the win.

Chargers Highlight: Simi Fehoko scores first NFL touchdown vs. Bears

Simi Fehoko scored his first career touchdown.

A Chargers receiver has his first career touchdown. And no, it’s not first-round pick Quentin Johnston. Nor is it fourth-round pick Derius Davis.

No, it’s third-year receiver Simi Fehoko, signed from the Steelers practice squad after the Mike Williams injury, who hit paydirt for the first time as a professional on Sunday night.

With third and three from the Bears 9 after another impressive drive, Justin Herbert dropped back and surveyed the field. Without Joshua Palmer, who reinjured his knee earlier in the series, Herbert took an extra beat to find an open man. That was Fehoko, who beat his defender on a shallow crossing route. Fehoko did the rest, outrunning Chicago’s defense to the end zone to give LA a 14-0 lead.

Chargers Highlight: Austin Ekeler scores first receiving TD of season vs. Bears

Austin Ekeler took a screen pass to the house.

Nobody in the Chargers fanbase would blame you if you had forgotten what normal football looked like after the first few weeks of the season. But on LA’s first drive on Sunday night, the offense looked surprisingly normal.

So normal, in fact, that it ended with an Austin Ekeler receiving touchdown, a hallmark of Chargers football games over the better part of the last decade. Yet, this was Ekeler’s first receiving touchdown of the season.

With 2nd and 6 on the Bears 39, on their tenth play of the drive, Justin Herbert faked a handoff to Ekeler, who slipped out wide. Herbert delivered a screen to the back, who had blockers in front and one defender to make miss. The rest was a footrace to the end zone, which Ekeler won to put the Chargers up 7-0.

Staff predictions for Chargers vs. Bears in Week 8

Find out who the Chargers Wire staff is picking between Los Angeles and Chicago.

The Los Angeles Chargers kick off Week 8 against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Oct. 29 at 5:25 p.m. PT.

Who is going to come out victorious?

Here is a look at the predictions from each of our writers at Chargers Wire:

Gavino:

The Chargers are a more talented team and they should win this game with ease. But it’s the Chargers and no matter who they’re playing, they have to make every game, win or lose, in nail-biting fashion. Justin Herbert and company should put up points against a Bears defense that has seemed to turn the corner, but they’re one of the worst in the red zone. Chicago should find the end zone against a struggling Bolts defense. Ultimately, the Chargers do enough to win this contest barely.

Chargers 27, Bears 24

Alex K:

It’s important to remember that Los Angeles’ struggles in the last two weeks have come against two top-five defenses. Chicago’s defense, meanwhile, is 28th in DVOA with a terrible pass rush. The Chargers should be able to move the ball even with their injury situation at wide receiver. Defensively, LA needs to bring their corners closer to the line of scrimmage against Tyson Bagent, who has the lowest air yards per attempt of any quarterback of the last decade.

Chargers 31, Bears 17

Alex I:

The Chargers are looking for a way to snap their two-game losing streak out of the BYE. On paper, this game against the Bears should be a chance to get one back. It’s probably the “easiest” game LA has left on its schedule.

And yet, there should be some hesitation. The Chargers have put up just 17 points on offense in their last two games. Things, in theory, should be easier against a worse Bears’ front, but will Justin Herbert and Kellen Moore each have complete games, respectively?

On the defensive side of the ball, the Chargers have to contend with Tyson Bagent starting at quarterback. While he isn’t a Justin Fields-level threat offensively, he’s been able to execute what Chicago has asked him to do effectively. D.J. Moore is still an explosive weapon and Chicago can run the ball.

On paper, the Chargers are the much more talented team in this one. But it’s the game plan that should worry fans. If the Bolts come into this one with some aggression and spark defensively, this game should go well. If Michael Davis is yet again peeled back in coverage several yards off of the line, it could be a long one. I’m guessing the former scenario will take place as Brandon Staley, Herbert, and the Chargers find themselves back in the winner’s circle again.

Chargers 30, Bears 21

Behind Enemy Lines: Previewing Week 8 with Bears Wire

Answers to a few burning questions about the Bears ahead of their matchup with the Chargers on Sunday night.

The Los Angeles Chargers and Chicago Bears are about to duke it out in prime time.

Before the matchup, Bears Wire managing editor Alyssa Barbieri spoke with us about Los Angeles’ opponent.

With Tyson Bagent under center, what can we expect from the Bears’ offense?

BW: Bagent was efficient in his first NFL start, where the game plan was predicated on the quick passing game and leaning on what’s been a top-five rushing attack. Bagent wasn’t asked to do much, and I expect to see a similar game plan on Sunday night. With that said, I’d like to see Bagent be a little more aggressive with downfield throws, especially against a Chargers passing defense that ranks worst in the NFL. If Los Angeles’ defense can contain Chicago’s run game, it’ll force Bagent to have to do a little more than maybe what the coaches would like.

The defense has seemed to make some strides. What did they change and what’s working?

BW: The defense has turned a corner with Matt Eberflus acting as de facto defensive coordinator since Alan Williams’ surprising resignation. In the past two weeks, opposing offenses have totaled under 240 yards and averaged just 12.5 points. It’s more than possible that the Chargers could better those totals, but since Eberflus took over calling plays, it doesn’t feel like Chicago is going to give up 30-plus points per game like the first four weeks. While there’s still plenty to be desired by the pass rush, the Bears run defense has mounted an impressive turnaround. They ranked 31st against the run last season (allowing 157.0 yards per game). This season, they’re allowing just 82.3 yards per game (fifth-best in the NFL).

What area/position of the Bears could determine the outcome of this game?

The battle at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball will go a long way in determining the outcome of this game. Last week, Chicago dominated on both sides. They were able to keep Maxx Crosby at bay and rack up 173 yards on the ground, all while sustaining drives and taking time off the clock. On defense, they stopped Josh Jacobs and were able to provide enough pressure on Raiders quarterbacks to limit big plays and force three turnovers. The Bears will need a similar outing against the Chargers if they hope to come away with a win. The offensive line faces a tough task against Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa, while the defensive line will need to find a way to get pressure on Justin Herbert.

Who is an under-the-radar Bear that Chargers fans should know about?

Considering he was inactive from Weeks 2-5, the fact that D’Onta Foreman has stepped in and produced on the ground for Chicago makes him notable. While rookie Roschon Johnson should be back, Foreman is expected to once again lead the ground game against the Chargers. He’s coming off an impressive outing against the Raiders, where he accounted for 120 yards (89 on the ground) and three touchdowns. Foreman will play a key role in the success of the Bears’ offense, especially as rookie Tyson Bagent makes his second NFL start.

What’s your prediction for the game?

The Bears haven’t won consecutive games under head coach Matt Eberflus since his arrival, and I have a hard time believing that streak ends Sunday night against the Chargers. While Chicago and Los Angeles both have two wins on the season — along with a pair of head coaches on the hot seat — the Chargers are simply the better team in this contest. I think it’ll be close, but Los Angeles should have this one. Chargers 27, Bears 23

Who are the experts taking in Chargers vs. Bears?

Find out who the experts are picking between the Chargers and Bears.

The Chargers are 8.5-point favorites over the Bears in Week 8 of the 2023 regular season. The over/under is 46.5 points, per BetMGM Sportsbook.

That means oddsmakers are taking bets on whether the two teams will combine to score more than or fewer than 46.5 points.

My score prediction for the game is a 27-24 win for the Chargers, with a combined total of 51 points. So if I were putting money behind my prediction, I’d bet the over.

As for game picks, the majority of analysts believe that the Bolts will snap their losing streak.

Expert Pick
Nate Davis (USA Today) Chargers
Jarrett Bell (USA Today) Chargers
Mike Clay (ESPN) Chargers
Matt Bowen (ESPN) Chargers
Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) Chargers
Bill Bender (Sporting News) Chargers
NFL.com Staff Chargers (5 to 0)
Bleacher Report Chargers

Sunday’s game will begin at 5:25 p.m. PT and will be televised on NBC.

Chargers’ causes for concern vs. Bears

Here are four reasons to be worried on Sunday night.

On the surface, there are not very many reasons to expect Los Angeles to drop a third straight game this weekend with the lowly Bears on the schedule. But the Chargers have proven this season that anything is possible.

Here are four reasons to be worried on Sunday night.