The San Diego Chargers claimed their first win of the preseason with a 19-3 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. The Chargers defense started out strong in the first half with two interceptions. On AZ's second series of the game, Brandon Flowers keyed in on Carson Palmer and intercepted the QB's pass. Number 24 then ran 25-yards into the end zone for a pick six and a 7-0 lead for the Bolts. Jahleel Addae had the second turnover of the game after he picked off Drew Stanton and ran the ball back 61-yards. Four plays later, the interception turned into three points for the Bolts and a 10-0 lead. Jerry Attaochu had the first Chargers sack of the game after he dropped Drew Stanton for a loss of eight. Lambo's 48-yard field goal, his third of the game, gave his team a 16-0 lead heading into halftime. Kellen Clemens finished the first half 11 of 20 for 134-yards.
Mike Bercovici entered at quarterback for the Bolts in the second half and converted two huge third downs to keep the chains moving and eventually cap off a 10-play drive with three more points from Lambo and a 19-0 lead. Arizona attempted a field goal in the third quarter but it was no good and the Bolts continued to hold Arizona scoreless heading into the fourth quarter. The Cardinals scored their first points of the game after Chandler Catanzaro booted a 52-yard field goal. On the ensuing drive, the Chargers drove to midfield, but ran the clock down and walked out of the Q with a victory. Bercovici played the entire second half for the Bolts and finished 9 of 13 for 108-yards.
IMPACT PLAYS
First Quarter
14:00 – With the offense's first series, Melvin Gordon picked up where he left off last week and had no hesitation rushing to the left for a gain of 12-yards and a first down.
9:09 – Brandon Flowers read Carson Palmer's eyes and with keen concentration, intercepted the QB's pass then ran straight into the end zone for a 25-yard pick six and a 7-0 lead for the home team.
2:11 – Drew Stanton overthrew his receiver and Jahleel Addae picked the QB off and ran the ball back to Arizona's nine-yard line for a 61-yard return.
:29 – Lambo kicked a 20-yard field goal to give the Bolts a 10-0 lead.
Second Quarter
12:56 – On first down, Clemens hit a wide open Keenan Allen for a gain of 28 to move the chains into Arizona territory.
9:15 – Clemens hit Travis Benjamin who took the ball in stride for a gain of 11. While a defender came in and stripped the ball, Benjamin was ruled down by contact and the Chargers kept possession.
7:53 – Lambo booted another one through the uprights for a 13-0 lead.
4:24 – On 3rd-and-15, Stanton rolled right, but Jerry Attaochu got to the quarterback for an eight-yard sack.
:30 – After getting into Arizona territory, Lambo capped the drive off with a 48-yard field goal to give the Bolts a 16-0 lead heading into the half.
Third Quarter
14:17 – Mike Bercovici entered at quarterback for the third quarter. On 3rd-and-6, Bercovici hit James Jones for a gain of 21.
12:51 – Bercovici converted another third down, this time by finding Dom Williams for a gain of 18 to get to the Arizona 30.
10:30 – Lambo tacked on three more points to his team's lead as he kicked a 50-yard field goal through the uprights.
Fourth Quarter
6:22 – On 3rd-and-9, Matt Barkley hit Ifeanyi Momah for a gain of 15 to keep Arizona's drive alive.
5:00 – On 3rd-and-8, Adrian McDonald tackled the receiver to pop the ball in the air, but the pass fell incomplete and on came Arizona's kicker for a field goal attempt.
4:53 – Chandler Catanzaro kicked a 52-yard field goal to put his team on the board.
3:20 – On third down, Bercovici found DeAndre Reaves for a gain of 15.
:37 – Bercovici took a third knee to run the clock out to end the game and cement the Chargers' first win of the preseason.
