Ladd McConkey breakout performance fuels Chargers to victory over Saints: ‘It’s what we’ve been needing’

Justin Herbert’s top wide receiver has finally arrived.

The connection between Justin Herbert and Ladd McConkey had been building for the past couple of months, but it was only a matter of time before their true potential was unlocked.

That came on Sunday in the Chargers’ win over the Saints. McConkey finished the game with 111 yards and two touchdowns on six receptions.

McConkey is the first Chargers rookie to record a 100-yard receiving game since Keenan Allen did it in the 2013 season.

McConkey’s big day included a massive 60-yard score as he leaped, caught the jump ball and scampered inside into the end zone. The explosive scoring play is the element the wide receiver room has been missing this season.

“It’s what we needed,” Jim Harbaugh said of McConkey’s touchdown. “It’s what we’ve been needing.”

Before this game, McConkey was primarily an asset in the short and intermediate parts of the field, especially on third downs.

“He’s a complete receiver,” Herbert said. “To have that short game, those intermediate routes, he’s been so good at it, especially on third down. And now you open up some of those go balls that you got to respect. And for him to be able to line up anywhere, inside, outside, we got a true ballplayer on our hands.”

There had been talks about the Chargers potentially a wideout before the trade deadline. However, McConkey’s performance likely dispelled that narrative, showing the makeup of a true No. 1 option.

Who are the experts taking in Chargers vs. Saints?

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

The Los Angeles Chargers are 7-point favorites over the New Orleans Saints in Week 8 of the 2024 regular season. The over/under is 40.5 points, per BetMGM Sportsbook.

That means oddsmakers are taking bets on whether the two teams will combine to score more than or fewer than 40.5 points.

My score prediction for the game is a 21-16 win for the Chargers, with a combined total of 37 points. So, if I were putting money based on my prediction, I’d bet the under.

As for game picks, analysts believe Los Angeles is going to win.

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 (5-0)
Bleacher Report	Chargers

Sunday’s game will begin at 1:05 p.m. PT and be televised on Fox.

Best photos from Chargers’ preseason loss to Saints

Here are some of the best pictures from the Chargers’ loss to the Saints.

The Chargers fell short in their second preseason game of 2023 to the Saints by the score of 22-17.

To relive some of the action, here are the top photos taken at SoFi Stadium on Sunday.

PFF: Chargers’ top offensive players in preseason loss vs. Saints

Here are the top 10 Chargers offensive players and what their grades were the preseason loss to the Saints.

The Chargers lost to the Saints in the second preseason game of 2023 on Sunday, 22-17.

Despite the loss, they still had some key contributors on offense. Here are the top players on that side of the ball, per Pro Football Focus.

Chargers’ defense dominates in first joint practice with Saints

The Chargers’ defense reigned supreme on Day 1 of joint practices with the Saints.

The Chargers kicked off the first of two joint practices with the Saints on Thursday.

For Los Angeles, their defense reigned supreme during 11-on-11 drills.

It all started up front with the defensive line, headlined by edge defender Khalil Mack who met his former teammate, quarterback Derek Carr in the backfield early and often.

Mack’s constant pressure ended up leading to an erratic throw made by Carr, which was picked off by safety Derwin James.

“That’s what we expect,” Mack said. “We expect that day-in and day-out, whether it’s our offense or any other offense. We want to affect the quarterback.”

Mack’s partner-in-crime, Joey Bosa, was also very active, whether applying pressure or making positive plays in the run game.

Defensive tackles Sebastian Joseph-Day and Morgan Fox made their presences felt, both having tackles for loss. Fox also added a pair of sacks in the red zone drill.

Other standouts included EDGE Chris Rumph II, who had a tackle for a loss on Saints running back Jamaal Williams. Additionally, linebacker Kenneth Murray and safety JT Woods had solid days.

Overall, New Orleans only scored one touchdown in the entire practice, which was an RB Alvin Kamara run from four yards out on the final play of the red zone period, according to The Athletic’s Daniel Popper.

“I thought that we were physical,” Staley said of the defense. “I thought that we played hard. The technique was good for the most part and the communications was good for the most part.”

6 takeaways from Chargers’ loss to Saints in preseason finale

Highlighting everything notable from the Chargers’ loss to the Saints in the preseason finale.

To cap off the preseason, the Chargers lost to the Saints, 27-10.

To recap Friday’s matchup, here are my takeaways:

Joshua Kelley earned the second running back spot

Entering the preseason finale, Kelley was the front runner to be Austin Ekeler’s running mate. But the fourth-year player cemented his case Friday night. Decisive and explosive as a runner, Kelley finished with 40 yards on six carries, including a rush with an eye-popping hurdle over a defender. For a player who was being disregarded, Kelley proved any doubters wrong this summer, and I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do during regular season action.

Rest of the running back room underwhelms

After the ankle injury to Isaiah Spiller, which could cause him to miss the season opener against the Raiders, the Chargers will likely roll with four running backs. However, none of the other backs outside Kelley did anything to help themselves. Larry Rountree had six carries for 12 yards. Leddie Brown had three rushes for seven yards. Kevin Marks had just one carry that went for negative yards.

Chase Daniel reclaims backup spot

Easton Stick had his best performance in the preseason opener, appearing calm in the pocket and quick to get the ball out. However, his performance on Friday night was not reflective of that. Stick’s ball placement was all over the place, finishing 9-of-17 for 74 yards. Meanwhile, Daniel, who played the first half, had an excellent outing. He made some solid throws to each level of the field, including a nice deep pass to Jalen Guyton. Daniel finished 10-of-11 for 113 yards. While it may be more reasonable to keep two quarterbacks to save a roster spot elsewhere, Tom Telesco confirmed on the national broadcast last weekend against the Cowboys that the team will keep all three quarterbacks.

Michael Bandy makes final case

The Chargers keeping six wide receivers is slim to none, which is unfortunate for Bandy, who continued to do what he’s done all summer by running silky smooth routes to get open and hauling in everything thrown his direction. Bandy finished with three catches for 30 yards on five targets. If Bandy clears waivers, I expect Los Angeles to sign him to the practice squad. But the chances of that happening are slim with the tape he’s put out.

Carlo Kemp carries momentum

Whether or not the Chargers will carry four edge defenders, not including Kyle Van Noy, remains to be seen. But if they do, Kemp has made his case to earn that spot over Jamal Davis, who also had a solid summer. Kemp finished with four tackles, a quarterback hit, and an almost tackle-for-loss. Kemp and Davis both showed to be stout against the run, but Kemp offers a little bit more value as a pass rusher.

Breiden Fehoko is deserving of a roster spot

Since the beginning of the summer, Fehoko has done nothing but prove that he belongs on the 53-man roster. Flashing his run defense skills on a snap-to-snap basis, Fehoko has also developed as a pass rusher with a faster get-off and quicker hands to defeat blockers. On Friday night, Fehoko finished with a tackle for loss, a quarterback pressure, and continued to do the dirty work by eating up blocks and resetting the line of scrimmage.

Chargers vs. Saints preseason Week 3: How to watch, listen, stream online

Find out how to tune in to watch the Chargers take on the Saints in the final week of preseason play.

The Chargers wrap up the preseason against the Saints tonight.

Here’s everything you need to know so that way you can tune in.

Game Information

Los Angeles Chargers vs. New Orleans Saints

Friday, Aug. 26 — 5:00 p.m. PT

Caesars Superdome — New Orleans, LA

Television

The game will be televised on KCBS-TV in Los Angeles and San Diego. Noah Eagle, Dan Fouts, LaDainian Tomlinson will have the call.

Radio

ALT FM-98.7 (English broadcast)

FM 105.5/94.3 (Spanish broadcast)

Streaming

FuboTV (try it for free)

Social Media

Like Chargers Wire on Facebook

Follow Chargers Wire on Twitter

Follow Gavino on Twitter (@GavinoBorquez)

Follow Alex on Twitter (@AlexKatson)

40 players who are considered locks for the Chargers’ 53-man roster

Here are the perceived locks to make the Los Angeles Chargers’ 53-man roster.

The Chargers are close to finalizing their 53-man roster after weeks of evaluation based on 17 practices, two joint practices and three preseason games.

When looking at the 80-man roster heading into the preseason finale against the Saints, there are 40 players who should be considered locks to make the 53-man team next week.

Here are the players I view as being guaranteed a roster spot this year.

Daniel Jeremiah breaks down what makes Chargers QB Justin Herbert so special

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has been really good.

Prior to the draft, I banged the drum for rookie Justin Herbert because I knew that he was capable of being solid NFL quarterback.

However, I didn’t know that he would be this good, this early on in his professional career. No one did.

Herbert has taken the league by storm in his four appearances, averaging 299 passing yards per game and amassing 10 total touchdowns to only three interceptions.

The first-round pick has put the team on his back, keeping them in every single game, even against the most stiff competition like the Chiefs, Buccaneers and Saints.

Herbert has done all of this with the skills we saw in college, shredding defenses with his big arm and athleticism. However, he’s made major improvements in areas he was knocked for like his poise under pressure, diagnosing coverages and going through progressions.

NFL Media’s Daniel Jeremiah broke these down with plays against the Saints last Monday.

Check it out:

Chargers HC Anthony Lynn, players reap high praise on QB Justin Herbert

The sky is the limit for Chargers rookie quarterback Justin Herbert.

It’s only been four games, but quarterback Justin Herbert has shown that he’s the answer at the position for the Chargers for many years to come.

Herbert’s play on Monday night was what kept the team Los Angeles alive in their 30-27 loss to the Saints, as he tossed four touchdowns – the most ever by a rookie on Monday Night Football.

Herbert did this while missing three starting offensive linemen and wide receiver Keenan Allen and running back Austin Ekeler.

“I thought the kid did some good things,” coach Anthony Lynn said on Herbert.

Herbert was pressured on 20 of his 38 dropbacks last night, per Pro Football Focus. However, he overcame being under duress.

While he still managed to make some great things happen in bad situations, Lynn noted the poor performance from the offensive line.

“My quarterback was running for his life,” Lynn said.

The 22-year old leads the NFL when pressured in adjusted completion rate and efficiency.

Three of Herbert’s touchdowns went to wide receiver Mike Williams and tight end Hunter Henry, with the other going to WR Keenan Allen.

After Allen left the game with a back injury, Herbert resorted to Williams, where the two connected five times for 109 yards, including a deep bomb for 64 yards.

“I just told him trust me. That’s the main thing I tell him every day. ‘Trust me, bro. It may not look sweet, just throw it up. I’ll go get it,'” Williams said.

Herbert also leaned on Henry, targeting him eight times. The 25-year old tight end, like the majority of the population, believes the future is bright for Herbert, and knows the team now has to back him up in order to help capture his first professional win.

“The kid is a stud. Great player. I just hate for him. He still hasn’t gotten his first win as a starter, but the kid is playing out of his mind. We all need to be better for him. Pick him up because he’s playing really, really good,” Henry said.