The Chargers took care of business last Sunday, defeating the Giants by the score of 37-21.
With that being said, here is a look at the players who helped en route to Los Angeles’ victory.
Stars
QB Justin Herbert: It took one throw for Herbert to put himself under this category. That throw, which might have been the best of the year, was Herbert’s 59-yard touchdown pass to Jaylen Guyton, which traveled 63.8 yards. What made it even more incredible was that it came on the run, off his back foot while being hit from behind. Maybe three quarterbacks in this league can make a throw like that. Aside from the jaw-dropping pass, Herbert became the first player to have 30 touchdown passes in each of his first two seasons. He finished the game 23-of-31 passing for 275 yards and three touchdowns.
Studs
WR Josh Palmer: Palmer, Mike Williams, and Jalen Guyton are all worthy of being placed here after their performances. However, the rookie deserves the spotlight for stepping up in the absence of Keenan Allen. Flashing the receiving skills that the team fell in love with coming out of Tennessee, Palmer finished with a team-high seven targets that he turned into five receptions for 66 yards and a touchdown. Furthermore, he played a role in the blocking department, notably springing Austin Ekeler free for an 18-yard gain.
RB Austin Ekeler: The Chargers finally established an efficient rushing attack, finishing with 152 yards and 4.1 yards per carry. But it was Ekeler who steamrolled the Giants’ defense before leaving the game with an ankle injury. Benefiting from the blocks up front, Ekeler amassed 12 carries for 67 yards (5.6 yards per carry), four rushing first downs, and two explosive carries, per Pro Football Focus. He also added two catches for 17 yards.
EDGE Joey Bosa: After leaving the Bengals’ game with a head injury, Bosa did not lose a step upon returning to the action a week later. Eating Nate Solder’s lunch throughout the afternoon, Bosa made up half of the Chargers’ pressures, finishing with four and adding two hurries, a hit, and a sack.
CB Michael Davis & Chris Harris Jr.: The Chargers have been susceptible to the pass in prior weeks, but they changed the narrative against the Giants, holding Mike Glennon to just 4.6 yards per pass. Without Derwin James and Asante Samuel Jr., Michael Davis and Chris Harris Jr. stepped up. Davis and Harris finished with four, and three passes defended, respectively. Davis gave up just three catches for 25 yards on eight targets. Harris allowed just one catch for 24 yards on five targets.
Duds
Special teams (sort of): There weren’t any players in particular that performed poorly enough to be recognized here. However, the special teams had its woes. Ty Long averaged just 26 yards per punt, but the protection is to blame for some of the struggles, as it broke down on a kick late in the fourth quarter that resulted in a shank. That shorter field position for the Giants led to a touchdown. Later on, Donald Parham dropped an onside kick recovery that ended up in the hands of New York.
