The Los Angeles Chargers fell to the New Orleans Saints, 36-7, to drop their preseason record to 1-2. The loss snapped the Bolts' six game winning streak at ROKiT Field at StubHub Center.
Stat of the Game:
The Bolts' offensive line went to work in the two series the starters played. In fact, they paved the way for Austin Ekeler and Detrez Newsome to carve up the Saints to the tune of 6.7 yards per carry.
Play of the Game:
Derwin James made an impression right off the bat in his first career start. On 3rd-and-5, Drew Brees fired deep to his left looking for the speedy Ted Ginn. However, James showed tremendous range and athleticism, leaping high to haul in the pick at the Chargers' 37-yard line.
Turning Point:
On 3rd-and-4, New Orleans Saints QB Taysom Hill looked right, then tucked the ball and scrambled left down the sideline and into the end zone for the score. The Saints then opted to go for two, and again, it was Hill who kept the ball and dashed into the end zone. The plays increased their lead from 14-7 to 22-7.
It Was Over When:
The Bolts trailed 22-7 when Marcus Williams iced the game with a pick-six. Reading the quarterback's eyes, the cornerback jumped cut in front of the pass at his own 42-yard line, then raced untouched 58 yards into the end zone. The score gave the Saints a commanding 30-7 lead with just over 14 minutes left in the game.
Bolt Quotebook
"I loved the way the first unit went out and played against one of the top rush teams in the league, and they held them to under four-yards a carry the whole first half. Offensively, they moved the ball on the ground. We know we can throw the football on anybody, and they averaged over six-yards a carry in the first half and doing all of that with no penalties. That's been one of the things we've been focusing on—stopping the run, running the football, and not beating ourselves. I thought that was improvement." – Head Coach Anthony Lynn
"I thought we had some good plays, enough to be excited about, but not enough to relax. Either way, it went pretty well. If it didn't go (well), we shouldn't panic because we're going to be great…. If we can be balanced and run the football the way we did tonight, we have a chance to be a special offense." – QB Philip Rivers
"It felt great (to get the interception). I came out and trusted what my coaches have been telling me. They put me in position (to make the play). The play was there for me to make and I made it." – S Derwin James
Odds and Ends
The Bolts combined to rush the ball 25 times for 104 yards, averaging 4.2 yards per carry.
Derwin James recorded the Bolts' lone turnover when he picked off Drew Brees.
James made his first career start, as did rookie linebacker Kyzir White.
Desmond King led the team with six tackles.
Uchenna Nwosu tallied a sack midway through the third quarter.
Philip Rivers, Melvin Ingram, Mike Pouncey, Russell Okung and Brandon Mebane served as tonight's captains.
Look through some of the best action shots of the Bolts taking on the New Orleans Saints in their third preseason game.
Philip Rivers throws a pass during the Bolts' third preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at ROKiT Field at StubHub Center.
The Bolts take the field against the New Orleans Saints for their third preseason game.
Derwin James snags an interception during the Bolts' third preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at ROKiT Field at StubHub Center.
Derwin James snags an interception during the Bolts' third preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at ROKiT Field at StubHub Center.
Derwin James snags an interception during the Bolts' third preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at ROKiT Field at StubHub Center.
Members of the Los Angeles Chargers defense celebrate an interception by Los Angeles Chargers defensive back Derwin James during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New Orleans Saints Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Philip Rivers calls a play during the Bolts' third preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at ROKiT Field at StubHub Center.
Austin Ekeler runs downfield during the Bolts' third preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at ROKiT Field at StubHub Center.
Austin Ekeler breaks through for a run during the Bolts' third preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at ROKiT Field at StubHub Center.
The defensive line huddles up during the Bolts' third preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at ROKiT Field at StubHub Center.
Travis Benjamin returns a punt during the Bolts' third preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at ROKiT Field at StubHub Center.
Philip Rivers calls a play during the Bolts' third preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at ROKiT Field at StubHub Center.
Detrez Newsome backflips after scoring a 5-yard touchdown during the Bolts' third preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at ROKiT Field at StubHub Center.
Detrez Newsome celebrates his touchdown during the Bolts' third preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at ROKiT Field at StubHub Center.
Los Angeles Chargers running back Detrez Newsome, center, celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of the team's NFL preseason football game against the New Orleans Saints on Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Geremy Davis, Detrez Newsome and Derek Watt celebrate Newsome's touchdown during the Bolts' third preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at ROKiT Field at StubHub Center.
Detrez Newsome celebrates his touchdown during the Bolts' third preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at ROKiT Field at StubHub Center.
Denzel Perryman and Derwin James stop a run during the Bolts' third preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at ROKiT Field at StubHub Center.
Isaac Rochell tackles Saints' Mark Ingram during the Bolts' third preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at ROKiT Field at StubHub Center.
Isaac Rochell celebrates his tackle during the Bolts' third preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at ROKiT Field at StubHub Center.
Kyle Emmanuel congratulates Isaac Rochell on his tackle of Mark Ingram during the Bolts' third preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at ROKiT Field at StubHub Center.
Sean Culkin runs downfield during the Bolts' third preseason game against the New Orleans Saints at ROKiT Field at StubHub Center.
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Geremy Davis, left, hauls in a pass as New Orleans Saints defensive back Vonn Bell covers during the second half of an NFL preseason football game Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
