Bolts From The Blue
The Chargers simply found a way on Monday night.
Justin Herbert found a way with his legs and masterful game sense to lead the Chargers down the field when it mattered most. The Chargers secondary found a way to keep Jalen Hurts in an uncomfortable spot all night long. These are just two examples of the Bolts taking “where there’s a will, there’s a way” all the way to heart.
It all culminated in a 22-19 overtime victory that has once again kept the Chargers’ playoff hopes alive despite numerous injuries all season long and other variables that would have sunk a less-disciplined team.
For another week, the Bolts charged on. Here’s to hoping it continues into a season sweep of the Chiefs.
Here are two winners and two losers from the Chargers’ thrilling win over the Eagles on Monday night.
QB Justin Herbert
It was not one of Herbert’s best performances on Monday night and if you looked at the box score after wards, you’d probably think it was one of the worst outings of his career. But the numbers alone don’t tell the whole story.
Herbert — while playing with a plate and several placed in his left just one week ago — stood behind a non-existent pass protection in hopes of carrying the Bolts to victory in a pivotal matchup under the primetime lights. Even with a sub-par performance (12-of-26 passing, 139 yards, INT), Herbert still threw one touchdown and led the Chargers with 66 yards rushing, most of which came on the game-tying drive late in the fourth quarter.
In all, it was one of the most-gutsy performances we’ve ever seen from Herbert and one that could directly lead to the Bolts earning a playoff spot at the end of the regular season.
Chargers Secondary
It’s hard to believe the Chargers barely escaped the Eagles in overtime despite their secondary picking off Jalen Hurts four times, but that’s just the type of game it was on Monday night. Donte Jackson, Tony Jefferson, Cam Hart, and Da’Shawn Hand all came down with a pick. Jackson and Jefferson each brought in their fourth interception of the season while Hart corralled his first professional pick since joining the Chargers.
Jesse Minter’s coverage calls and overall defensive gameplan had the Eagles passing attack in hell all night long and it was only fitting that the game ended the way it did.After some tough weeks early this season, Minter may be right back in the thick of future head coaches conversations around the NFL.
C Bradley Bozeman
Bozeman allowed two pressures and was called for a holding penalty against the Eagles. Depending on how you see it, Bozeman seemingly allowed linebacker Nakobe Dean to sprint untouched into the face of Herbert on one particular play although his complete lack of acknowledgement to the potential blitzer may tell us he was tasked with helping elsewhere. Even so, numerous replays show us he would have been the only person...
