LOS ANGELES—The Los Angeles Chargers were blown out by the New Orleans Saints on Saturday, August 25. However, the Chargers’ first team played a solid game.
New Orleans received the ball to start the game, but on 3rd down and 5, Quarterback Drew Brees was intercepted by rookie Safety Derwin James on a deep ball. The Chargers added to their momentum when Alex Ekeler went for 21 yards on his first carry. Ekeler would gain 27 more yards rushing on the drive. However, on 4th and 4, the Chargers turned it over on downs.
The Saints would go 3 and out on their next drive. Philip Rivers came in for another drive. Rivers and Ekeler throughly moved the ball down the field before Running Back Detrez Newsmen scored from 5 yards out. The Chargers were ahead 7-0.
Drew Brees and the Saints would respond with a nice drive of their own. Brees found receiver Michael Thomas on a 26-yard pass to set the Saints up in good field position. After helping move the ball for much of the series, Alvin Kamara capped the drive off with a 2-yard rushing touchdown.
The backups entered the game for both teams for the rest of the game. Both teams would score field goals before halftime, with a score was 14-7 (New Orleans went for two after scoring a touchdown).
In the middle of the third quarter, Backup Quarterback Taysom Hill led the Saints offense down the field using his passing and rushing skills. He scored an 11-yard rushing touchdown from the left side. Hill then completed a two-point conversion. The Saints were ahead 22-7.
The Chargers received the ball with a chance to keep the game competitive. However, on 2nd down and 16, Backup Quarterback Geno Smith was intercepted by Marcus Williams. He returned the pass for 58 yards leading to a touchdown, making the score 30-7. The Saints would score another touchdown later in the game with the final score of 36-7.
Although the final score may not imply it, the Chargers first team performed exceptionally well. Rivers drove down the field for a touchdown and Derwin James intercepted Drew Brees. Brees, however, did lead a touchdown drive of his own. Despite the performance of the first team, Los Angeles’ backups must improve. They were drastically outplayed by the Saints’.
Drew Brees finished 7/9 for 59 yards and one interception. Taysom Hill finished 7/8 for 66 yards and 2 touchdowns (one rushing & one passing).
Philip Rivers finished 5/7 for 29 yards. Alex Ekeler had 50 yards on 6 carries.
