The Los Angeles Chargers looked to get back to their winning ways after suffering a two-point loss to the Arizona Cardinals on October 21 and they accomplished just that.
Justin Herbert threw for 279 yards and two scores as the Chargers defense did not allow a touchdown while picking up a 26-8 win over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday afternoon at SoFi stadium.
“It’s all about finding a way to win, whether that’s through the air or on the ground,” Herbert said. “I thought we did a great job of weathering the storm, fighting, staying patient and making sure that we were smart with the ball.”
Los Angeles improved to 4-3 on the year with the win while New Orleans dropped to 2-6, suffering its sixth consecutive loss in a row.
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“I think we all understand that it’s a results-oriented business, and we need to play better football,” Saints coach Dennis Allen.
New Orleans quarterback Derek Carr was sidelined for a third consecutive game due to an oblique injury as the Saints offense continued to struggle without him.
Quarterback Spencer Rattler threw for 156 yards and completed 12 passes before being benched by second-year playcaller Jake Haener in the third quarter. Haener completed nine of 17 passes for 122 yards as neither quarterback was able to find the endzone.
Alvin Kamara tallied 122 total yards and Chris Olave had eight receptions for 107 yards in his first game back from clearing concussion protocol.
“Obviously we didn’t get any wins, so that’s very unfortunate,” Rattler said. “We want to win. Our goal is to come in here and win, get some momentum going.”
The Saints had the first big play of the game after the Chargers botched a punt that resulted in Taysom Hill forcing a safety in the end zone to take a 2-0 lead in the first quarter.
Herbert rushed for 49 yards, including a career-high 38-yard run in the second quarter that gave the Chargers offense the lift they needed after a stagnant first quarter.
“We didn’t do much before that, but I thought the guys did a great job of sticking to it, staying patient, waiting for their opportunities and made something happen,” said Herbert.
Cameron Dicker converted a 46-yard field goal in the second quarter for the Chargers to take a 3-2 advantage and Los Angeles went on to add to their lead from there.
J.K. Dobbins, who rushed for 57 yards on 17 carries, found the endzone on a one-yard rushing score to give the Chargers a 9-2 lead with 1:37 remaining in the second quarter. Blake Grupe connected on a 40-yard field goal before halftime for the Saints.
Ladd McConkey, the Chargers No. 34 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, had a career day and proved just why Los Angeles was so high on him during the draft process as he had six receptions for 111 yards and two touchdowns.
“For him to be able to line up anywhere inside, outside, we got a true ballplayer on our hands,” Herbert said.
McConkey caught a 60-yard score from Herbert in the third quarter and out ran a slew of New Orleans defenders to give the Chargers a 16-5 lead.
“I think he was back there scrambling a little bit and then rolling. Just gave me a chance,” McConkey said.
Grupe made a 43-yard field goal with 1:05 left in the third to get within eight, 16-8, but it was Los Angeles who proceeded to shut out New Orleans the rest of the way.
Dicker added a 29-yard field goal three minutes into the fourth quarter to take a 19-8 lead. Herbert connected with McConkey on a nine-yard touchdown with 3:22 renaming to capture a 26-8 win over the Saints.
“You want to be at your best for him,” McConkey said on Herbert. “He’s battled through injuries at the beginning of the year, still out there so we just want to give our all for him because he’s giving his all for us.”
The Chargers will next travel to Cleveland for a road matchup against the Browns (2-6) on November 3 at 10:00 a.m.
