The Chargers were reasonably healthy last season, but significant players have fallen this year. On Sunday, they were without their top two receivers (Allen and Mike Williams), starting left tackle (Rashawn Slater), no. 1 Edge Rusher (Joey Bosa), No. 1 cornerback (Jackson) and top kicker (Dustin Hopkins). Other. The hope is that Allen (hamstring), Williams (ankle), Bosa (groin) and Hopkins (hamstring) will all be healthy later, if not sooner. Until then, the Chargers have to work out victories like on Sunday, when all three phases ultimately made their contribution.
After allowing 10 points in the first quarter, the defense stiffened, limiting Atlanta to just eight games before scrimmage in the fourth quarter. The offense was shut out in the first quarter but responded in the second quarter with 14 points and controlled the clock in the final quarter, completing 27 games that resulted in two field goals. And on special teams, Dicker became the third different kicker this season to receive a cue ball after a win in Los Angeles.
However, the Chargers also got some breaks. Like early in the fourth quarter, when Younghoe Koo was right wide on a 50-yard try – he had converted on 11 of his previous 12 tries – and then there was Graham’s fumbling.
“We pick up all the loose balls, so I picked them up and ran with them,” Graham said. “I kept it in my right arm walking down the sideline and it just slipped out. It’s just one of those soccer games I haven’t done and it definitely sucks; but there is another game, so move on to the next one.”
“It’s amazing that we got that ball back,” said Ekeler, who had two touchdowns (one rushing, one received) and went on 71 yards from scrimmage. “Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than to be good, one of those situations.”
Perhaps it was a sign that the unusual and unlikely was turning in the Chargers’ favor. Because how often does a defensive player fumble the football away without being touched? If so, it couldn’t come at a better time as the next two weeks are going to be scary with games in San Francisco and at home against the Chiefs.
“We needed this game, especially away, to be 5-3, right in the hunt where we want to be on our goals as much as possible,” said safety Derwin James. “Nothing is easy in the NFL. Look at other teams, they also have close games. I’d rather be on this side when I’m winning than the other side.”
The Chargers didn’t get to say that often. And even if they lost the game, Staley says they wouldn’t have felt cursed.
“If you go 10-0 down I think you show a lot about who your football team is (if you collect),” he said. “It’s not the first time this year and we were able to stick together hard and go for it and finish the game by doing our best. I think you saw that with our football team. Attack, defense and kicking game, it took all three phases to finish the game away. I’m really happy that our guys got this win because they really deserved it.”