2021 Los Angeles Chargers season

Shortly after the end of their 2020 season, the Chargers signed ten players on their practice squad to reserve/future free agent contracts.[19]

The Chargers signed ten undrafted free agents following the draft.[33]

Notes:

• Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
• Networks and times from Weeks 16–18 are subject to change as a result of flexible scheduling.
• Week 18 is subject to being flexed to Saturday, January 8.

Los Angeles scored on their opening drive of the season, facing only one third down as they drove 75 yards for Austin Ekeler's touchdown run. After two field goals for Washington and two for the Chargers, it was 13–6 with 45 seconds to play in the half. Joey Bosa's roughing the passer penalty helped Washington get in range for another field goal as time expired.[34]

Washington added a touchdown on the opening possession of the second half. Los Angeles responded by driving from their own 25 to a 2nd and goal from the Washington 7, whereupon Justin Herbert was hit by Montez Sweat during his throwing motion. The ball struck the ground near the goal line and was ignored by players from both teams as it rolled through the back of the end zone; however, it was ruled a fumble rather than an incompletion, resulting in a touchback and possession being turned over to Washington.[35]

Following a missed Washington field goal, the Chargers moved back into the red zone, but Herbert's pass was overthrown and intercepted by William Jackson III at the 4 yard line. On the next play, Kyzir White forced a fumble that Kyler Fackrell recovered. Herbert and Mike Williams combined for the winning touchdown three plays later. After forcing a punt, Los Angeles took over on their own 18 with 6:43 to play, and Washington holding all three timeouts. The Chargers were able to run the clock out from there - Herbert found Keenan Allen for 17 yards on 3rd and 16, and followed up with three further completions to convert third downs, to K. J. Hill, Williams and Allen.[36]

Overall, the Chargers converted 14 of 19 third down attempts.[37] The 14 successes were a new club record.[38]

Midway through the game's opening drive, Dallas appeared to have been stopped on a 4th and 1 at their own 48, but White was flagged for pass interference; the Cowboys went on to score a touchdown. Herbert and Dak Prescott were then both intercepted (rookie Asante Samuel claiming his first career interception for the Chargers), before a Tristan Vizcaino field goal and another Dallas touchdown made it 14–3, late in the opening quarter. Herbert appeared to have been intercepted again on the next drive, but Jayron Kearse was ruled to have committed pass interference before making the interception. Later in the drive, Herbert converted both on 3rd and 11 (through a 12-yard pass to Jared Cook) and on 3rd and 13 (through a 27-yard pass to Williams. One play later, Williams scored, and a two point conversion pulled the Chargers within three. A roughing the kicker penalty on a punt prolonged the next Charger drive, but Vizcaino missed a 44-yard kick, striking the right upright with 3 seconds to play in the half. Dallas came close to scoring as time expired, with Derwin James making a tackle at his own 3 yard line.[39]

On the opening drive of the second half, Herbert converted on 4th and inches with a quarterback sneak, then found Allen for 42 yards on 3rd and 15, setting up a field goal and a 14–14 tie. Donald Parham appeared to have scored a 36-yard go-ahead touchdown the next time Los Angeles had the ball, but it was nullified by offensive holding, called on Cook. Later in the drive, the Chargers reached 3rd and 6 at the 9, but Herbert was intercepted when his intended receiver slipped over in the end zone. Dallas then drove into the red zone, but had to settle for a field goal after a third down sack by Fackrell. On the following drive, Allen's 30-yard catch gave the Chargers a 1st and goal at the 2. Herbert and Cook appeared to have combined for a touchdown on the next play, but it was again nullified by penalty, this time, an illegal shift. They ultimately settled for another game-tying Vizcaino field goal, with 3:54 to play. Dallas twice faced third down conversions in their own territory on the ensuing drive, but Ezekiel Elliott converted both, with a catch and a run. The Cowboys moved into range for a 56-yard field goal, which Greg Zuerlein comfortably converted as time expired.[40]

It was the Chargers first home game at SoFi Stadium with fans in attendance, though the majority of the capacity crowd were supporting the Cowboys.[41]

Kansas City's first three drives all crossed into Charger territory, but each was ended by a turnover - a diving interception by Samuel and two fumble recoveries, both forced by Tevaughn Campbell and recovered by Michael Davis. Los Angeles turned the latter two turnovers into Herbert touchdown passes. The Chiefs responded with a field goal shortly before halftime, then dominated the first eleven minutes of the third quarter with a pair of touchdown drives, either side of a Charger three-and-out.[42]

Trailing for the first time, Los Angeles drove into opposition territory, and faced a 4th and 8 from the 28 to start the final quarter. Herbert converted this with a 9-yard pass to Allen, and found Williams for a 20-yard touchdown two plays later. The Chiefs responded with a 12-play, 72-yard drive in which they did not face a third down. A 43-yard catch by Williams immediately moved the Chargers back into Kansas City territory, and a pass interference penalty later gave them a 1st and goal at the 1. Two plays later, Herbert passed to Gabe Nabers for an apparent touchdown, but Cook was penalised for an illegal shift, and Los Angeles eventually had to settle for a game-tying field goal with 2:14 to play. Three plays later, Alohi Gilman intercepted a deep Patrick Mahomes pass, giving the Chargers the ball at their own 41. They advanced to a 4th and 4 at the Chief 30 with 48 seconds to play, and again opted to go for it - they were pushed back 5 yards by a false start, but Jalen Guyton then drew a pass interference penalty to keep the drive going. Williams had catches of 16 and 4 yards on the next two plays, the latter for the winning touchdown with 32 seconds to play; Mahomes moved his team to the Charger 49, from where his long pass was knocked down at the goal line as time expired.[43]

Los Angeles opened the game with a 75-yard touchdown drive, as they had done in Week 1 against Washington. Later in the quarter, they attempted a fake punt from the Raider 41, but Ty Long's pass was broken up by Hunter Renfrow. Las Vegas crossed midfield only once in the first half - they also failed on a fourth down conversion attempt, with White tackling Josh Jacobs well short of the first down marker. The Chargers scored on their final two possessions of the half, with Herbert's second and third touchdown passes of the game. Herbert converted four third downs across the three first half scoring drives, with completions to four different receivers. These were the only third down conversions by the Chargers all night.[44]

Derek Carr threw a touchdown pass to Renfrow on the first drive of the second half. The Chargers then converted a 4th and 2 from their own 45, but soon had to punt after Herbert was sacked on third down. A 45-yard pass interference penalty on Samuel helped the Raiders drive 81 yards for another Carr touchdown pass, pulling the Raiders within seven points. Carr's 51-yard pass early in the final quarter had the Raiders threatening again, but Christian Covington's third down sack forced a 51-yard field goal, which Daniel Carlson missed wide left. Los Angeles then faced a 4th and 2 from midfield, which they converted with Cook's 13-yard reception - Ekeler scored six plays later, and Derwin James claimed the game's only turnover shortly afterwards, intercepting Carr to effectively clinch the win with 3:22 to play.[45]

With the score at 10–7 to Cleveland, Williams got open behind the Browns defense for a 72-yard touchdown. Vizcaino's missed extra point left the score at 13–10. The Browns were stopped on downs on their next possession when Odell Beckham dropped a pass at the Charger 15, but drove back into Los Angeles territory and scored via Kareem Hunt's 3-yard run on 4th and 1. An Ekeler fumble set up a Cleveland field goal as time expired in the half, and they were ahead 27–13 early in the third quarter after Nick Chubb shrugged off two would-be tacklers and completed a 52-yard touchdown run.[46]

The Chargers risked a 4th and 2 from their own 24 early in the following drive, which Ekeler converted with a 9-yard run. Later in the drive, Allen's 12-yard catch converted a 4th and 7 - Herbert scrambled for a touchdown two plays later. Los Angeles added a two point conversion, and retook the lead early in the fourth quarter when Williams was again left completely open for a long touchdown. Two plays later, David Njoku broke a weak tackle by Nasir Adderley at the Cleveland 45, and sprinted clear to complete a 72-yard touchdown. A two point conversion put Cleveland up 35–28. A controversial pass interference penalty prolonged the next Charger drive, called against A. J. Green for 33 yards as he and Williams contested a Herbert pass thrown on 4th and 4 from the Charger 41. The Chargers also converted a 4th and 8 through Allen's 20-yard catch, and Ekeler scored from the 4 on the next play.[47]

After Cleveland needed only five plays to retake the lead, Allen's 37-yard catch on 3rd and 5 was the biggest play on the next drive; Ekeler's touchdown catch meant that the team's had combined to score five touchdowns in as many drives. However, Vizcaino's second missed extra point of the game (and fourth of the season) left the Browns still ahead 42–41, with 3:15 to play. The Los Angeles defense forced a three-and-out, and Cook's 29-yard catch immediately moved them into field goal range. Three running plays forced Cleveland to use all of their time outs, and gave the Chargers a 1st and goal at the 3. Ekeler tried to go down at the 1 on the next play, but Cleveland defenders forced him into the end zone, ensuring that the Browns would have one more possession with 1:31 remaining.[48] After taking over a minute to move the ball 21 yards, Baker Mayfield threw three incompletions from his own 46, the last one going to ground in the end zone to ensure the Chargers' victory.[46]

Williams set a new career high with 165 receiving yards, surpassing his previous best by 43 yards.[49] The combined total of 89 points was the fourth-highest for a Chargers' game, and the highest since a 49–41 win over Cincinnati 15 years earlier;[50] the 41 combined points in the final quarter was a new high for any single quarter involving the Chargers. Los Angeles became the first team to win despite conceding 40+ points and forcing no takeaways.[51]

The Ravens' opening two drives covered a combined 164 yards and produced fourteen points, while requiring only a single third down conversion between them. Later, Los Angeles turned the ball over on downs at their own 39, setting up a Ravens field goal and a 17–0 lead. White set up the lone Charger touchdown with the first of his two interceptions on the day, but the Ravens responded with a touchdown on the opening drive of the second half, and were not threatened again.[52]

Baltimore outrushed Los Angeles 187–26, while holding the ball for over 38 minutes.[53] Vizcaino missed his fifth extra point of the season after the Charger touchdown; he was release on October 26, and replaced with former Washington kicker Dustin Hopkins.[54]

As they had done in Week 1 and Week 4, the Chargers opened the game with a 75-yard touchdown drive - Allen caught a 41-yard pass, and Ekeler converted a 4th and 1 with a 2-yard run before scoring on the next play. New England tied the scores on their own first drive. Early in the 2nd quarter, Justin Jackson swept left on 2nd and 10 from his own 14 and worked his way through a crowd near the line of scrimmage before breaking away from the defense, eventually being caught at the Patriot 11 after a gain of 75 yards. Coming into the game, Jackson had carried the ball only 10 times all season, for 22 yards.[55] Allen restored the Chargers' lead three plays later. New England drove inside the Los Angeles 10 on their next two possessions: the first time, Mac Jones threw incomplete on 4th and goal from the 1; the second time, they settled for a field goal. Late in the half, Ekeler couldn't hold onto a Herbert pass, with former Charger Adrian Phillips intercepting the deflected ball to set up another field goal, and a 14–13 halftime scoreline.[56]

The Patriots drove into Charger territory on the opening drive of the second half, but James forced a fumble that Adderley recovered. On their next drive, New England took the lead through Nick Folk's third field goal of the game. Ekeler opened the following drive with a 28-yard run and an 11-yard catch, setting up Dustin Hopkins to make his first field goal try as a Charger and restore the lead. Early in the final quarter, Herbert aimed a short pass at Cook, who had not yet turned back to receive it. The resulting wild throw was intercepted by Phillips and run back for the winning touchdown. After a further Folk field goal, rookie Josh Palmer scored his first career touchdown to pull Los Angeles within three, but another former Charger, Hunter Henry, then recovered an onside kick to ensure a Patriot victory.[57]

For the Chargers, it was the seventh consecutive loss to New England.[58] Los Angeles picked up 4 first downs on their opening possession, and 5 on their final possession, but only 8 from nine drives otherwise.[56]

Philadelphia punted on their first possession, and pinned Los Angeles at their own 1 yard line. The Chargers responded with a 15-play, 98-yard drive, but came up with no points after Allen was stopped a yard short on 4th and goal from the 2. It was the first 98-yard non-scoring drive in the NFL since 2002.[59] After holding the Eagles to a three-and-out, Los Angeles started their next possession at the Philadelphia 38. Herbert's first touchdown pass came six plays later. After the Eagles tied the scores, Los Angeles reached a 4th and 2 at the opposition 27; they again went for a conversion, but Joshua Kelley was stopped a yard short with 7:25 to play in the half. A Philadelphia field goal drive ran all but 21 seconds off the clock, and the Eagles were 10–7 up at halftime.[60]

Los Angeles tied the game with a field goal on the opening drive of the 3rd quarter, then forced a three-and-out. The game's next four drives all produced touchdowns. Firstly, Herbert connected with Williams on a deep pass, covering 49 yards; three plays later, Parham stiff-armed a defender and scored on 3rd and 1 from the 8. On the following drive, Jalen Hurts scrambled for 12 yards on 3rd and 8, setting up an answering touchdown two plays later. Herbert then converted one third down with a completion to Allen and another with a quarterback sneak, before scrambling into the end zone two plays later. Hurts converted two more third downs with his legs on the next drive, before throwing the game-tying touchdown with 6:07 to play. Los Angeles forced the Eagles to call all their timeouts, and used up all but 2 seconds of the clock with their response, which featured two fourth down conversions: Ekeler's 2-yard run up the middle on 4th and 1 from the Philadelphia 39, and Herbert's 1-yard sneak on 4th and 1 from the Philadelphia 28. Two plays after the second of these, Ekeler's 16-yard run made Hopkins' game-winning field goal a much shorter 29-yarder, which he converted without difficulty.[61]

Los Angeles attempted no punts for the ninth time in their history, and the second time in 2021, after the Week 2 game with Dallas.[62] Herbert set a club record for highest completion percentage in a game while completing at least 30 passes, with 84.21%.[63]

After Justin Jones ended a Vikings threat with a fumble recovery at his own 29, Minnesota managed to take the lead with a field goal on their next drive. Los Angeles tied the scores, then made a goal line stand, aided when a holding penalty wiped out a Kirk Cousins touchdown pass. The Vikings settled for a field goal, but were presented with another chance when Herbert was intercepted by Eric Kendricks, and took full advantage with the game's first touchdown. Los Angeles responded, with Allen drawing a 28-yard pass interference penalty up the left sideline and Larry Rountree III scoring his first career touchdown, cutting the halftime deficit to 13–10.[64]

The Chargers took the lead after receiving the second half kickoff, Herbert converting two third downs en route to a touchdown, but Minnesota later scored touchdowns on consecutive possessions to take control. The first of these came on 4th and goal, when Cousins was able to loop a high pass into the end zone under heavy pressure; the second was set up by three third down conversions. After Los Angeles pulled back within seven points, Minnesota reached a 4th and 2 from the Charger 36, with 2:32 to play. They went for the first down, and got it through Dalvin Cook's 4-yard run. The Chargers having used all their timeouts, three Quarterback kneels by Cousins were enough to run the clock out.[64]

As had been the case with their previous two defeats, Los Angeles possessed the ball for less than 25 minutes, their total of 23:45 including only 4:53 of the final quarter.[64]

Shortly after the Steelers scored three points on the game's opening drive, Herbert converted a 3rd and 14 with a 22-yard completion to Williams. The Chargers converted two further third downs en route to Ekeler's first touchdown. Pittsburgh appeared poised to respond on their next drive, as they drove from their own 25 to a 1st and goal at the Los Angeles 5. After three plays gained three yards, the Steelers went for the touchdown on 4th and goal from the 2, but Pat Freiermuth was tackled by Derwin James and Joe Gaziano immediately after receiving the ball, for no gain. Los Angeles then drove 98 for another touchdown. Herbert converted the drive's lone third down with the first of a pair of 18-yard scrambles before passing to Ekeler for an 11-point lead. After Pittsburgh answered with a touchdown, the Chargers drove inside the 10 yard line on their final possession of the half, but had to settle for a Hopkins field goal and a 17–10 halftime lead.[65]

Los Angeles faced a 3rd and 13 on the opening drive of the second half, but Herbert found Allen downfield for a 30-yard gain. Three plays later, Ekeler took a short pass in the right flat and side-stepped two defenders on his way to another touchdown. After the Steelers went three-and-out (their only punt of the game), Herbert scrambled for 13 yards on 3rd and 5 to move the Chargers into field goal range. Soon afterwards, he appeared to have brought up a 1st and goal with a 15-yard run, but a holding penalty on Corey Linsley negated the gain, ultimately forcing a field goal try. Hopkins was wide left from 46 yards out, but a Steelers penalty gave him another chance from five yards closer, which he converted. The Chargers led 27–10 through three quarters, having scored on all five of their offensive drives.[65]

Pittsburgh pulled three points back early in the final quarter, then Ty Long's lone punt attempt of the game was blocked to set the Steelers up at the Charger 3. Three plays lost two yards, and Ben Roethlisberger's fourth down pass was then deflected and intercepted by Adderley. However, Campbell was flagged for pass interference, negating the turnover - Pittsburgh scored on the next play. Los Angeles responded by moving to a 3rd and 5 from the Steelers' 47, from where Herbert again scrambled for a long gain, starting along the left sideline before cutting back inside and gaining 36 yards before being caught by Pittsburgh lineman Cameron Heyward. Hayward appeared to punch Herbert after the play, drawing a penalty and moving the ball to the 5, from where Ekeler scored his fourth touchdown on the next play.[66]

Uchenna Nwosu sacked Roethlisberger on the next play from scrimmage, forcing a fumble the Pittsburgh quarterback recovered himself. Roethlisberger then passed on eight consecutive plays, completing seven of them, the last for the touchdown that pulled his team back within seven points, with five minutes remaining. Two plays later, Herbert's pass deflected high in the air after striking Heyward's helmet, and Cameron Sutton made a diving interception at the Charger 11. Two plays later, Roethlisberger threw his second touchdown pass in 26 seconds to tie the scores. Los Angeles soon reached a 4th and 1 at their own 34. They opted to go for it, but Ekeler was stuffed for no gain, setting up a Pittsburgh field goal - the Steelers had scored 17 points in 85 seconds, and led 37–34. Herbert, however, responded with the game-winning touchdown three plays later, finding Williams wide open along the left sideline for a 53-yard touchdown with barely two minutes to play. Fackrell and Bosa produced back to back sacks on the first two plays of the Steelers' response, and two incompletions then caused a turnover on downs.[65]

Herbert's figures of 9 rushes for 90 yards included three kneel-downs for minus three yards to end the game. His rushing total was the highest in NFL history was a quarterback who passed for at least 350 yards.[67] Ekeler was the eleventh Charger to score four touchdowns in a game, and the first since Danny Woodhead in 2015.[68] He was also the 13th NFL player to score multiple rushing and receiving touchdowns in a game.[69] The Chargers won despite conceding their most 4th quarter points in a game since 1963.[70]

The Chargers travelled to Denver, Colorado in what was head coach Brandon Staley's return to Denver, two years after leaving. Staley served as outside linebackers coach of the Broncos under head coach Vic Fangio during the 2019 season.[71]

Denver were forced to punt on their first possessions, but successfully downed the punt at the Chargers' 1 yard line. After Los Angeles went three-and-out, the Broncos had to drive only 50 yards to take the lead. After the Chargers again went three-and-out, James appeared to have created a turnover by forcing a Teddy Bridgewater fumble, but the play was ruled an incomplete pass upon review. Bridgewater was knocked out of the game, until the 3rd quarter, and his replacement, Drew Lock, fumble on his second play while being sacked by Bosa. The ball went forwards, and was recovered by Denver to convert a 3rd and 3. The Broncos eventually scored on the drive, going ahead 14–0 with Los Angeles still yet to register a first down; the Chargers did mange to move the ball on their next possession, but the drive ended when Herbert's pass was broken up on 4th and 3 from the Denver 35. Late in the half , James intercepted a Lock pass and returned it 5 yards to the Denver 47. Allen had back to back catches of 18 and 14 yards on the ensuing drive, which ended with Ekeler taking a short pass over the middle and scoring to cut the halftime deficit to 14–7.[72]

Los Angeles held the ball for all but 75 seconds of the 3rd quarter, but failed to convert that advantage into any points. Firstly, a seven-minute drive ended with Herbert being sacked on 3rd and 6 from the Denver 27, and Hopkins missing a 52-yard field goal. After quickly forcing a Denver punt, they reached a 4th and 4 at the Bronco 34, which they converted with Jalen Guyton's 15-yard catch and run. On the first play of the final quarter, Ekeler's 12-yard catch on 3rd and 9 was negated when Linsley was ruled an ineligible receiver downfield; on 3rd and 14, Herbert's end zone pass was intercepted by Patrick Surtain II. The Broncos then converted three third downs before doubling their lead with nine minutes to play. The Chargers reached a 1st and 10 at the Denver 37, from where Ekeler tipped a pass thrown slightly behind him - Surtain intercepted the deflected ball, and returned it 70 yards for the clinching touchdown.[72]

Andre Roberts gave the Chargers a good start when he returned the opening kickoff 48 yards to his own 45. Herbert then converted a 3rd and 9 with a 10-yard pass to Allen, and found Williams for 41 yards two plays later, bringing up a first and goal at the 4. After three plays netted no yards, the Chargers went for the touchdown on fourth down - Herbert connected with Allen in the front of the end zone, putting Los Angeles ahead to stay. Five plays later, Nwosu knocked the ball from Joe Burrow's grasp, making the recovery himself at the Bengal 29 and setting up a Hopkins field goal. On the next Bengals possession, Michael Davis appeared to have been beaten along the right sideline by Ja'Marr Chase, but Chase bobbled the potential touchdown catch, allowing Davis to catch up and make a one-handed interception. On the next play, Herbert found Williams 47 yards downfield for another long catch; Allen's second touchdown catch came four plays later. Five minutes into the 2nd quarter, Los Angeles scored again, Guyton beating Jessie Bates to a ball in the end zone for a 44-yard touchdown. The Chargers then used a version of the Philly Special on a two-point conversion try, Allen passing to Herbert for a 24–0 lead.[73]

Cincinnati began their comeback with a touchdown on the next drive. In their response, the Chargers reached a 3rd and 8 from the Bengal 43. Ekeler then fumbled at the end of a 7-yard catch-and-run, with Bates recovering and returning the ball 46 yards before Herbert made a touchdown-saving tackle. The Bengals then had only 19 yards to drive for their second score of the game. Los Angeles again crossed midfield on their next possession, but Herbert was sacked on consecutive plays, bringing up a 3rd and 25 at the Los Angeles 36. Herbert attempted a deep pass, which Palmer came close to catching before Bengals cornerback Chidobe Awuzie knocked the ball loose and intercepted it at his own 12. The score remained 24–13 at halftime.[73]

The Bengals continued to draw closer in the 3rd quarter, receiving the second half kickoff and adding a field goal. Ekeler lost another soon afterwards, this time at his own 32, and Joe Mixon scored five plays later. The Bengals tried to tie the game with a two point conversion, but a group of Chargers stopped Mixon a yard short of the end zone, preserving the lead at 24–22. Early in the final quarter, Cincinnati reached a 2nd and 2 from the 34 of Los Angeles. Christian Covington then knocked the ball from Mixon's grasp - it ran into the path of Campbell, who recovered and had a clear run to the end zone for the Chargers' first defensive touchdown of the season.[74] Drue Tranquill's third down sack of Burrow forced a Bengals punt, and Guyton's 33-yard catch soon brought Los Angeles to the 1. Ekeler scored a play later. The best Bengals chance after that ended with eight minute to play when Chris Harris intercepted Burrow in the end zone.[73]

This was the first meeting of the quarterbacks selected first and sixth in the 2020 NFL Draft.[75] Both passed for 300 yards or more, and both sustained a season-high number of sacks (six on Burrow, four on Herbert).[76] By preventing the Bengals from completing their comeback, the Chargers avoided tying a club record for biggest blown lead. They had previously lost 24–0 leads in 1982 and 2012.[77]

Los Angeles punted on their first possession, but didn't face a third down the next time they had the ball, and drove for Ekeler's opening touchdown. New York tied the score two plays after tight end Kyle Rudolph got open for a 60-yard catch-and-run, but the Chargers soon regained the lead via Josh Palmer's 10-yard touchdown catch on 3rd and 8. Palmer saw increased playing time after Allen was ruled out due to a positive test for COVID-19.[78] The Chargers reached a 4th and 1 at the New York 5 on their next drive. They went for the first down, and Herbert appeared to have been stopped short on a quarterback sneak. However, a pre-snap false start penalty on Chargers' guard Matt Feiler negated the play, enabling Hopkins to kick a field goal and increase the lead to ten points.[79]

Late in the half, the defense forced a punt which went only 18 yards to the Charger 25. Working with 40 seconds and two timeouts, Los Angeles reached a 3rd and 11 at their own 41. From there, Herbert rolled right under pressure before throwing a pass that travelled over 63 yards through the air and was caught by Guyton as he crossed the New York goal line. It was the longest completion in the NFL by air yards up to that point in the season.[80]

Up 24–7 at the break, the Chargers scored on their first three possessions of the second half and extended their lead to 30 points with under ten minutes to play. Overall, they had scored four touchdowns and three field goals over a span of eight possessions. New York, who had produced no drives of over 20 yards in either the 2nd or 3rd quarters, were then able to produce two touchdown drives. After the second of these, Parham mishandled an onside kick attempt and the Giants recovered, preserving a small chance of a comeback. New York drove to the Charger 26 before rookie linebacker Nick Niemann sealed the win with his first career interception.[81][79]