Tag: ladd mcconkey

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.

Chargers inactives: See who’s in and who’s out for Week 7 vs. Cardinals

Ladd McConkey and Kristian Fulton are active.

The Chargers are about 90 minutes away from kicking off Week 7 against the Cardinals.

Here is a look at their inactive players today:

WR Quentin Johnston

QB Easton Stick (emergency 3rd QB)

WR Derius Davis

OL Brenden Jaimes

OL Jordan McFadden

TE Hayden Hurst

OLB Joey Bosa

Ladd McConkey and Kristian Fulton are active for today’s game.

3 bold predictions for Chargers in Week 7 vs. Cardinals

The Chargers are set for their first primetime game of the season in Week 7 against the Cardinals.

We are just hours away from kickoff in Glendale, AZ. The Chargers are coming off a thrilling victory in Week 6 and need another win on Monday night to stay above .500.

Despite being on the road, Jim Harbaugh’s squad is slightly favored for the primetime matchup.

With that, here are some bold predictions for Monday night’s contest.

J.K. Dobbins goes for 100+ rushing yards

Dobbins went for over 100 yards in the first two weeks of the season but has not done so since then. However, there’s no better opportunity for him to reach that feat again. The Cardinals have allowed 153 yards on the ground per game, the third-most in the NFL. Dobbins is coming off a 96-yard performance in Week 6, and the Chargers offensive line should be able to open massive running lanes for the sixth-year running back.

A Charger tops 60 receiving yards

The Cardinals’ defense is also vulnerable in the passing game, as they rank 23rd. Now, 60 yards doesn’t sound like a lot, but the Chargers have had just one pass catcher in the top 51 yards in a game this season. Ladd McConkey had 67 yards in Week 4 against the Chiefs, and he’s the most likely candidate to lead the team on Monday if he plays. Quentin Johnston is doubtful, while McConkey is questionable with a hip issue. If he plays, look for him to take advantage of Arizona’s poor set of cornerbacks.

Chargers win the turnover battle by 2+

This has been a recipe for success for Harbaugh’s squad this season. In five games, the Chargers are +7 in the turnover department, which ranks third in the NFL despite playing just five games on the season. The offense has only turned the ball twice, a major reason for their 3-2 record. On the flip side, the Cardinals have the same number of giveaways (8) as takeaways.

First injury report for Chargers ahead of matchup vs. Cardinals

The Chargers had five non-participants on the first injury report.

The Chargers had their first practice before Monday’s matchup with the Cardinals on Thursday.

Los Angeles had five non-participants: EDGE Joey Bosa (hip), CB Kristian Fulton (hamstring), TE Hayden Hurst (groin), WR Quentin Johnston (ankle) and CB Deane Leonard (hamstring).

WR D.J. Chark (groin), TE Will Dissly (shoulder), WR Simi Fehoko (shoulder/groin), OL Zion Johnson (ankle), WR Ladd McConkey (hip), OT Trey Pipkins (shoulder) and CB Ja’Sir Taylor (fibula) were limited.

Chargers stock watch: Who’s up, who’s down after Week 6 victory over Broncos

The Chargers suffered a few more injuries in Week 6, but several players stepped up in the meantime.

The Chargers head into Week 7 with a 3-2 record and entirely in the thick of the AFC playoff picture. It was a huge divisional victory against the Broncos as Jim Harbaugh’s squad was able to control the game in the trenches.

A few more injuries stacked up, but it was still a successful weekend for Los Angeles. Check out what Chargers players either improved or hurt their stock in Week.

Stock up: OL Zion Johnson

Johnson has really put things together in his third year in the NFL. That continued in Week 6 against the Broncos, as he was one of the Chargers’ best performers on the field. Johnson has been one of the best guards in the NFL this season, particularly in the run game. He’s one of two Chargers who played 100% of the team’s snaps in 2024. Johnson figures to be a key cog in the future of this evolving offensive line.

Stock down: CB Asante Samuel Jr.

After a superb 2023 campaign, Samuel hasn’t been nearly as good this season. Thankfully, other cornerbacks like Kristian Fulton have stepped up big, and the Chargers will need more of that. Samuel was placed on the IR after the team’s victory over the Broncos. The fourth-year corner has been dealing with a shoulder injury all year, so hopefully, this IR stint will freshen him for the second half of Los Angeles’ schedule.

Stock up: RB Kimani Vidal

Make plays and you’ll earn yourself playing time. That’s just what Vidal did against the Broncos. Heading into Week 6, the rookie tailback had yet to appear in an NFL game. Gus Edwards’ injury forced the Chargers to use Vidal, and he passed with flying colors. The rookie sixth-rounder finished with 51 yards from scrimmage, including a 38-yard receiving touchdown in the first quarter. Vidal may have just won himself the backup running back role behind J.K. Dobbins.

Stock down: RB Gus Edwards

Unfortunately, the veteran appears in this category once again. He’s seen his snaps dwindle as the season has passed, and now he’s been placed on the IR with an ankle injury. With guys like Vidal stepping up, it may be hard for Edwards to see the field if/when he returns from injury later this season.

Stock up: CB Elijah Molden

Molden was all over the field in Sunday’s victory. He’s just the latest example of Jesse Minter’s and the defense’s depth on this squad. With the injury to Samuel, he will be asked to step up in a big way over the next month. In Week 6, Molden finished with four tackles, a pass deflection, and a huge interception on the game’s first drive.

Where the Chargers rank statistically after Week 6

Here is how the Chargers compare statistically to the rest of the NFL after Week 6

The Chargers improved to 3-2 after downing the Broncos in Denver this past Sunday.

Los Angeles’ defense continued to dominate, while the offense finally started to play to Justin Herbert’s strengths as a passer.

With Week 7 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 18.2 ppg 26th
Passing offense 153.2 ypg 29th
Rushing offense 127.8 ypg 10th
Total offense 281.0 ypg 28th
3rd down conversions 42.47% 10th
Red zone scoring 41.67% 28th
Sacks allowed 12 11th
Turnovers 2 1st

Defense

Category Stat Rank
Points allowed 13.2 ppg 1st
Passing defense 192.0 ypg 8th
Rushing defense 97.2 ypg 6th
Total defense 289.2 ypg 6th
3rd down conversions 37.31% 18th
Red zone defense 44.44% 2nd
Sacks 13 11th
Takeaways 9 10th

 

Chargers stay steady in NFL power rankings after Week 6 win

Find out where the Chargers stand in the national eye after Week 6

The Chargers are coming off a big divisional win over the Broncos last Sunday.

After Week 6, let’s see where Los Angeles stands in NFL power rankings:

USA Today: 17 (Previous: 18)

“After Sunday’s win in Denver, HC Jim Harbaugh triumphantly declared he’s “2-0 with arrhythmias” after another irregular heartbeat forced him to miss the start of the game. Sorry, Coach, but also not a sustainable formula.”

NFL: 15 (Previous: 19)

“I never lost faith in the Chargers, and the early bye week seemed to give them great energy in building a 23-0 fourth-quarter lead in Denver. The big story was Justin Herbert throwing the ball more than he had all season, racking up 184 first-half pass yards and looking healthy and confident in the process. The Chargers got a little too conservative in the second half, especially without four-minute back Gus Edwards (who hit IR last week), but they held on for the win in a very clean game (three mostly harmless penalties, zero turnovers) to improve to 2-1 on the road and in the division. The defense was strong early, led by big plays from Khalil Mack and Elijah Molden, and the offense received some pleasant-surprise contributions from the likes of Kimani Vidal and Simi Fehoko. Also good to see Jim Harbaugh come back after briefly leaving the game with atrial flutters. I’ve had those, too, and they’re no fun.”

ESPN: 17 (Previous: 18)

Lesson learned: Coordinator Jesse Minter has changed the defense.

“Since the Chargers drafted QB Justin Herbert in 2020, they have had one of the league’s worst defenses. They allowed the fifth-most points (24.9) and the 10th-most yards (353.3) per game over that span. Through five games in 2024, however, the Chargers have one of the league’s best defenses, allowing the fewest points per game in the NFL through six weeks (13.2). The Chargers have allowed fewer than 21 points in each of their first five games of the season for the third time in franchise history.”

CBS Sports: 14 (Previous: 20)

“Coming out of the bye, they dominated the Broncos. The defense really showed up as they’ve overcome a lot of injuries on that side of the ball.”

Sports Illustrated: 15 (Previous: 15)

“I’m finally starting to get it. Ripping off a 20-play drive that just ends with a field goal is such a middle finger to the opposition. And utilizing Justin Herbert as a kind of In Case of Emergency switch is kind of brilliant and back-breaking when you really think about it. Run the ball, then when the defense finally gets you into a third-and-4, allow Herbert to extend the play and whip a ball over the middle to Stone Smartt. What a way to drain the life out of your opponents.”

Bleacher Report: 16 (Previous: 20)

“…While I’m still not fully convinced the Chargers are a legitimate contender, their schedule is favorable. None of L.A.’s next five opponents currently owns more than two wins. Jim Harbaugh’s squad has, thus far, shown an ability to beat the teams it is supposed to beat. If that trend holds, the Chargers will have plenty to play for entering December.”

Game Balls: 5 standouts from Chargers’ dominant Week 6 victory

The Chargers dominated the line of scrimmage in their Week 6 victory over the Broncos.

The Chargers returned to above-.500 territory after a huge win on Sunday. In the team’s first game after the Week 5 bye, they dominated the Broncos throughout the contest.

It was a complete team effort in which they controlled the game in all facets. With that being said, there were still five particular Chargers players who stood out in the win.

RB J.K. Dobbins

A key to this Week 6 contest was for the Chargers to get their running game back on track. They were able to do just that against one of the best defenses in the league. The offensive line opened up big lanes for Dobbins, and he took complete advantage of it. He continued his resurgent 2024 season with 102 yards from scrimmage and a rushing touchdown.

QB Justin Herbert

On Sunday, we were reminded of just how good Herbert is. We haven’t gotten to see much of that this season, but he put in his best performance of the year in Week 6. Herbert threw for 237 yards and a touchdown against a stout defense. Broncos star Pat Surtain II left on the first play of the game and didn’t return. Herbert took clear advantage of that the rest of the day, although his top two wideouts also got injured in the game.

CB Elijah Molden

Molden continues to shine as one of the breakout players on this year’s roster. The 2021 third-rounder snagged an interception on the third play of the game, his second of the season. That set the tone early, and the Chargers never looked back. In addition to the takeaway, he added four total tackles and a pass deflection as well.

Offensive Line

You could put anyone here really, namely Zion Johnson or Rashawn Slater. This unit deserves an A for their performance on Sunday, as they completely controlled the game. Jim Harbaugh continues to leave his imprint on this team, and it shows more and more each week. This offensive line is set up to help protect Herbert for years to come.

Khalil Mack

Mack has made this list this year, and he continues to be an absolute game-wrecker in 2024. While Joey Bosa remains out, Mack continues to show his worth. While he didn’t register a sack, the veteran had two tackles, a forced fumble, pass deflection, and quarterback hit. He was Denver’s backfield throughout the day, and one can only imagine how this defense will look when Bosa returns to the lineup to go along with Mack’s elite play.

Chargers PFF grades: Best, worst performers in Week 6 win over Broncos

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

In Week 6, the Chargers defeated the Broncos, 23-16.

En route to victory, there were some standout performers and others who did not contribute as much.

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

Top 5 Offense

OT Rashawn Slater — 82.0

WR Quentin Johnston — 74.8

TE Stone Smartt — 74.2

OL Zion Johnson — 71.2

RB Kimani Vidal — 71.0

Top 5 Defense

EDGE Khalil Mack — 90.5

S Elijah Molden — 76.1

DT Poona Ford — 71.0

LB Daiyan Henley — 70.1

CB Cam Hart — 68.9

Bottom 5 Offense

OL Jamaree Salyer — 39.2

TE Hayden Hurst — 43.0

FB Scott Matlock — 53.0

TE Eric Tomlinson — 54.6

OT Joe Alt — 58.4

Bottom 5 Defense

EDGE Bud Dupree — 39.3

DT Scott Matlock — 40.2

DT Otito Ogbonnia — 41.5

LB Junior Colson — 41.7

S Derwin James — 42.1

Everything to know from Chargers’ win over Broncos

Here’s our recap of the Chargers’ 23-16 win over the Broncos.

The Chargers snapped their two-game losing streak after defeating the Broncos on Sunday.

Here’s our recap of the Week 6 win.

It was over when…

The Chargers kept scoring points to go up 23-0. The Broncos attempted to make a comeback in the fourth quarter, scoring 16 unanswered points, but it was a little too late.

Notable number

This win marks the first time the Chargers have defeated the Broncos in Denver since 2018.

3 stars of the game

  1. QB Justin Herbert: Herbert benefited from the bye week, as he didn’t show signs of his ankle hindering him. He threw for a season-high 237 yards and a touchdown.
  2. RB J.K. Dobbins: Dobbins was efficient on the ground, finishing with 96 yards and a score on 25 carries.
  3. RB Kimani Vidal: Vidal’s first NFL touch, a 38-yard wheel route reception, went for six points. He didn’t do much as a rusher, but Vidal flashed in the passing game.

Quick hits

  • The Chargers finally allowed Herbert to let it loose, which benefited the offense. He finished with over 30 passing attempts and 200 yards, the first time he surpassed those marks this season. Herbert was sharp in third-down situations, delivering nice passes and keeping the chains moving.
  • Herbert distributed the wealth as nine different pass-catchers had a reception. Ladd McConkey had the most targets (8) and turned them into four catches for 43 yards. McConkey left the field on at least three occasions, including one to be checked for a concussion, but returned each time and finished the game.
  • Having Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt on the field made a huge difference. The pass protection was solid for most of the game and they created running lanes for Dobbins.
  • Even though the Chargers won, they must keep their foot on the gas for all four quarters on the offensive side of the ball. Their only points in the second half came on a field goal. Los Angeles hasn’t scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter since Week 1.
  • The Chargers won the time of possession battle, 37:23 to 22:37.
  • The defense dominated except for the fourth quarter when the Broncos scored 16 points. Asante Samuel Jr. is on injured reserve and Kristian Fulton came into this game already dealing with an injury. Once Fulton left in the second half, Denver had its way passing the football against a Chargers defense with two rookie cornerbacks on the outside.
  • The Chargers would’ve had more than two sacks, but there were a couple of instances of them not being able to bring down Box Nix, including one by Derwin James on fourth down that ultimately resulted in a touchdown pass to Courtland Sutton on the next play.
  • JK Scott had a good game. Scott didn’t come on the field until the second half, but of his four punts, three of them were within the Broncos’ 20-yard line and two within the 5-yard line.

What’s next?

The Chargers are on the road again to face the Cardinals (2-4) on Monday, Oct. 21, at 6:00 p.m. PT. The game will be televised on ESPN+.