The Chargers improved to 4-3 with a 26-8 win over New Orleans on Sunday.
Here is a game recap from Week 8.
First Quarter
Justin Herbert, Rashawn Slater, Bradley Bozeman, Derwin James, Jr. Khalil Mack and Denzel Perryman were the Chargers captains. The Saints won the toss and elected to defer. The Bolts started on offense but went three-and-out to open the game. The Chargers defense forced a punt on the Saints first drive after a big-time run stop from Otito Ogbonnia on third down. But the Chargers offense went three-and-out again as New Orleans took a 2-0 lead after a bad snap on a punt gave the Saints a safety. The Bolts defense forced a three-and-out for New Orleans as the offense took over at their own 17-yard line. The offense got moving a bit with back-to-back first downs through the air but the drive stalled near midfield as the Bolts were forced to punt. The Bolts defense forced another Saints punt as the Bolts started at the 16. Herbert ignited the offense with a 38-yard run, the longest of his career, to get the Bolts into Saints territory.
The Chargers faced fourth-and-3 at the Saints 28 as the first quarter came to a close.
Second Quarter
The Chargers took the lead on the first play of the second quarter when Cameron Dicker hit a 46-yard field goal. The Bolts defense forced another three-and-out from New Orleans as the offense took over at the 25. But the Chargers went three-and-out again on offense. New Orleans also punted as the teams combined to start the game 0-for-10 on third downs. The Bolts put together an offensive drive as they moved through the air and on the ground to get into the red zone. Simi Fehoko drew a pass interference call that moved the ball to the 3-yard line before J.K. Dobbins scored on a 1-yard touchdown run to put the Bolts up 9-2.
New Orleans took over and moved to midfield before a chunk play moved the Saints down to the 25-yard line. The Saints kicked a 40-yard field goal at the end of the half as the Bolts took a 9-5 lead into the break.
Third Quarter
The Bolts defense started the third quarter by forcing another Saints punt before the Chargers took over on their own 10. The offense punted it away before Scott Matlock's first career sack forced the Saints to go three-and-out.
The Chargers struck fast as Herbert hit Ladd McConkey for a highlight-reel, 60-yard touchdown to give the Bolts a 16-5 lead.
The Chargers defense forced another Saints punt as New Orleans dropped to just 1-of-10 on third down midway through the third quarter. But the Bolts went three-and-out before the Saints cut into the lead with a field goal. The Chargers led 16-8 entering the fourth quarter.
Fourth Quarter
The Bolts hit a big play early in the fourth quarter as Herbert hit Joshua Palmer on a 45-yard gain to get into the red zone.
But the drive stalled out as Dicker came on to hit a 29-yard field goal that put the Bolts up 19-8 early in the fourth quarter. The defense forced yet another Saints punt as the offense got the ball back with 10:35 left in the fourth quarter. The Chargers punted again before the Saints missed a 44-yard field goal. The Bolts added to their lead late in the fourth quarter as McConkey hauled in a 9-yard touchdown catch.
The Chargers ended up with a 26-8 win to improve to 4-3 on the season. The Bolts are in Cleveland in Week 9.
Check out the top photos of the Bolts warming up for their Week 8 game against the New Orleans Saints at SoFi Stadium!
