The offense topped 30 factors for the primary time all season.
The protection went from rattled to relentless.
And the particular groups? The Chargers kicked three subject targets of their 37-10 rout of Minnesota on Thursday night time, nevertheless it’s what they didn’t try this was most resounding.
For the primary time in 4 years, the Chargers didn’t punt.
-
Share through
Sam Farmer breaks down what went proper for the Chargers of their 37-10 win over the Minnesota Vikings at SoFi Stadium on Thursday night time.
What a turnaround for a group that was embarrassed on its house subject 4 days earlier.
“They simply set their minds to it that they weren’t going to be denied,” mentioned Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh, whose group pulled out of a tailspin in dramatic trend after shedding three of their earlier 4 video games.
The wire-to-wire win was candy redemption for a Chargers protection that faltered in a giant means Sunday in a 38-24 loss to Indianapolis.
Thursday night time, earlier than a nationwide viewers, Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz was drowning in a sea of navy-blue-clad defenders, the Chargers sacking him 5 instances, not often permitting him to arrange within the pocket, and at last inspiring him to fling his helmet in frustration on the Minnesota sideline.
“We had been simply having guys keep contemporary and rolling by and simply calling the precise calls,” linebacker Troy Dye mentioned. “It’s straightforward when you may drop seven or eight guys and solely should convey 4. It’s a enjoyable time to play like that.”
The Chargers turned within the defensive gem with out the providers of All-Professional security Derwin James Jr., the group’s main tackler this season, who left within the second quarter with an ankle harm. His backup, Tony Jefferson, was likewise hobbled by a hamstring harm. That left these duties to rookie security R.J. Mickens, who collected an interception early within the fourth quarter.
The Vikings transformed simply three of 11 third downs. Chargers defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe had two sacks, and Tuli Tuipulotu, Khalil Mack and Odafe Oweh contributed one every.
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert throws throughout the second half towards the Vikings on Thursday.
(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Occasions)
Mickens was one among a number of up-and-coming Chargers who made an impression, amongst them working again Kimani Vidal, promoted from the observe squad in Week 6, who ran for 117 yards and a landing.
The 207 yards speeding — 62 by quarterback Justin Herbert — had been probably the most by the Chargers for the reason that second week of the Harbaugh period final season. It’s simply the kind of dominance that’s embraced by the coach who’s so enamored by establishing a floor assault. And Herbert had 25 go makes an attempt, lower than half as many (55) within the loss to the Colts.
The decisive victory propels the Chargers into their mini-bye on a excessive be aware, washing away a few of the bitter style of the previous month. Their subsequent sport is on the one-win Tennessee Titans on Nov 2. Which means the Chargers may have extra time to heal, very important recuperation for a group so banged up.
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert carries the ball throughout the second half towards the Vikings on Thursday.
(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Occasions)
Herbert threw for 227 yards and three touchdowns. He received off to a horrible begin, although, with an obvious interception on his second snap. He threw a brief go to his left that wound up within the palms of diving cornerback Isaiah Rodgers, who climbed to his toes and returned the decide for an 18-yard landing.
The play was nullified, nevertheless, when replays confirmed the soccer touched the turf and moved when he hit the bottom.
Having survived that scare, the Chargers took benefit of their new life with a 14-play landing drive capped by an eight-yard landing reception by rookie tight finish Oronde Gadsden II.
Chargers security R.J. Mickens (27) exhibits his pleasure after intercepting a go from Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz within the second half Thursday.
(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Occasions)
“The good ones are measured by what they do after one thing goes unhealthy,” Harbaugh mentioned of Herbert’s response. “After there’s an interception — that’s the worst factor that may actually occur to you as a quarterback — then chart what they do with the following drive.”
The coach mentioned that sort of mistake would “shake” numerous quarterbacks, however not Herbert.
“Having performed the place, I do know what that’s like,” Harbaugh mentioned. “I imply, it’s like your mind, it’s searing. It’s like sirens and whistles and bells going off. And to have the ability to go ‘3, 2, 1, let it go’ after which come again and have a scoring drive. That’s one other one reserved for one of the best of one of the best.”
Herbert has been pressured and hit greater than any NFL quarterback this season, but he received a lot better safety Thursday night time, thanks in no small half to the return of left deal with Joe Alt.
The Chargers constructed a 21-3 lead within the first two quarters, a script-flipped model of what occurred within the Colts sport, once they discovered themselves in a 23-3 ditch at halftime.
This time, the Chargers had 29 first downs to 12 by the Vikings.
The defensive efficiency was a lot nearer to 1 the Chargers may need turned in final season once they led the AFC by permitting simply 18.5 factors per sport. Within the three video games previous to Thursday, that they had allowed a median of 30.6 factors.
If the Chargers proved something, it’s that they aren’t simply scorers. They’re rebounders too.
