Tag: ladd mcconkey

Ladd McConkey has breakout 2 TD game vs Saints

Los Angeles Chargers wide receivers Ladd McConkey records the first multiple touchdown game of his NFL career

Ladd McConkey was a standout in Week 8 NFL action as the Los Angeles Chargers defeated the New Orleans Saints. The former Georgia Bulldog was selected 34th overall in the 2024 NFL draft.

McConkey was a standout during training creating a connection with quarterback Justin Herbert that had the Chargers’ coaching staff were raving about him. McConkey put it on full display on Sunday during the best performance of his NFL career.

McConkey went on to have 6 receptions, 111 yards, and 2 touchdowns against the New Orleans Saints. McConkey had a dazzling play where he hauled in and ran a pass for career long reception of 60 yards.

McConkey is the team’s leading receiver with 30 receptions and 376 receiving yards and four touchdowns. His efforts has helped the Chargers to a 4-3 record which has them third in the AFC West.

The NFL season is nearing the midseason point so this could be a turn of a positive trend where the Chargers have struggled with consistency. Expect the Los Angeles passing game to be implemented more over the next couple of weeks. The Chargers play the Cleveland Browns, who rank 21st and the Tennessee Titans, who rank 32nd in pass defense.

With this momentum expect the Chargers to involve McConkey more to help their offense with explosive plays.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DBpOryiyAzw/

Los Angeles’ passing offense ranks 20th in the league.

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.

Chargers highlight: Ladd McConkey wins one on one for long touchdown

Ladd McConkey is over 100 receiving yards in this game.

How good has Ladd McConkey been for the Chargers?

The rookie receiver, drafted in the second round by Los Angeles to help replace Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, has quickly become Justin Herbert’s preferred target when both are healthy. McConkey has been playing through a hip injury that has limited him over the last week or two, but that didn’t stop him in the third quarter against the Saints.

With a second and nine from the Chargers own 40-yard line, Herbert faked a handoff to running back JK Dobbins and scanned downfield. Joshua Palmer ran a seam route from his outside receiver position, holding a Saints safety in the middle of the field. McConkey ran a slot fade against Saints cornerback Alontae Taylor and Herbert trusted the one-on-one matchup down the sideline.

McConkey won the hand fighting battle with Taylor down the sideline, pulling the ball down and creating separation from the cornerback. With room to run after the catch, the rookie took the ball back toward the middle of the field and got a block from Palmer to finish a 60-yard touchdown that gave the Chargers a 16-5 lead.

It’s McConkey’s third touchdown of the season and first score in nearly a month.

Chargers have lengthy injury report ahead of Week 8 vs. Saints

The Chargers had three wide receivers who did not practice on Thursday

The Chargers had their second practice in preparation for this Sunday’s game against the Saints, and there were a handful of players who did not participate or were limited.

Wide receivers Quentin Johnston (ankle), Ladd McConkey (hip) and Derius Davis (hamstring) did not practice. Johnston and Davis missed the Week 7 game against the Cardinals due to their respective injuries.

Linebacker Denzel Perryman (toe) and tight end Will Dissly (shoulder) joined the three as non participants.

Los Angeles had five limited participants: edge defender Joey Bosa (hip), WR DJ Chark Jr. (groin), cornerback Kristian Fulton (hamstring), TE Hayden Hurst (groin) and CB Ja’Sir Taylor (fibula).

The final injury report with game designations with be released on Friday.

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)

 

Chargers stock watch: Who’s up, who’s down after close loss in Week 7

Despite the Chargers’ close loss in Week 7, there are still plenty of positives to work with moving forward.

In some ways, the Chargers looked like the better team on Monday night against the Cardinals. In other ways though, they were the less disciplined squad and it ended up costing them a potential victory.

The team fell back to .500 at 3-3, but it was one that they let slip away it seems. Per usual, here are some players that boosted and hurt their stock in the Week 7 defeat.

Stock up: QB Justin Herbert

What a performance from #10. Despite Quentin Johnston’s absence, Herbert still put together his best performance of the season with 349 passing yards. His numbers could have been even better too, but his pass catchers dropped a handful of throws on the night. Herbert was phenomenal under pressure in particular and reminded everyone why he’s still an elite quarterback in this league.

Stock down: RB J.K. Dobbins

This was supposed to be a game in which the Chargers imposed their will in the running game. That did not go according to plan, as Dobbins’ longest run on the night was just 11 yards. Those explosive plays from the first two weeks of the season have all but disappeared. Dobbins averaged just 2.9 yards per carry on 14 attempts. That marks his fourth straight game finishing under four yards per carry.

Stock up: TE Will Dissly

With Hayden Hurst inactive, Dissly stepped up in a huge way. The veteran finished with a game-high eight catches and 81 receiving yards, which was the hightest total from a Charger this season. The performance further locks him in as the team’s clear No. 1 tight end even when Hurst returns to action.

Stock down: LB Daiyan Henley

A theme of the night was the Chargers’ missed tackling. While Henley has enjoyed a breakout season, he wasn’t at his best in Week 7. He missed four tackles on the night, which led the team. The linebacker core was poor in this particular department, and Henley stood out in negative way. He finished with four tackles, but still left a lot on the table.

Stock up: K Cameron Dicker

Dicker scored all 15 of the Chargers’ points on Monday evening. Unfortunately, that’s five opportunities squandered and were unable to reach the endzone. On the flip side, Dicker was five-for-five on field goal attempts, which included a 59-yarder in the second quarter. He’s now 15-for-16 on FG tries this season and has proven to be worth every penny of the $22 million extension that he signed back in August.

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

Chargers kicker loses embarrassing bet with Ladd McConkey

Former Georgia football wide receiver Ladd McConkey wins bet with one of his Los Angeles Charger teammates

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey won a bet with his teammate, Cameron Dicker, over the Georgia-Texas game.

McConkey, a second-round 2024 NFL draft pick out of the University of Georgia, posted an embarrassing picture of Dicker on Instagram.

Dicker played college football Texas from 2018-2021 and is widely known as “Dicker the Kicker.” Because Texas lost to Georgia, Dicker had to wear a Ladd McConkey Georgia jersey.

Dicker posed for a photo with McConkey, while McConkey did “Horns Down”. McConkey posted the photo to his Instagram story.

The Chargers are 3-3 this season. McConkey has 24 receptions for 265 yards and two touchdowns in his rookie season.