Chargers Lose To Panthers: Ekeler Fumbles on Final Play
Justin Herbert put the Chargers into a game winning position, but Ekeler fumbled the trick play.
The Chargers move to 1-2 after a 21-16 defeat to the Carolina Panthers (1-2). The Chargers had a forgettable day giving up turnovers and penalties, and Austin Ekeler fumbled the football on the final play of the game. The Bolts could have played better on all phases of the game, and it was a matchup the Charged Up Bolts team unanimously had down as a home win. Here are five Hot Takes from the game.
The Offense
There’s a red flag against Shein Steichen’s offense, because they’ve managed 29 points against the Bengals and Panthers. Phil Snow’s defense shut out the offense in the 1st quarter, meaning the Bolts were chasing the game from the beginning. Steichen’s offense looks predictable with the football, and calling Bubble screens on a 3rd and 20 isn’t fooling any defense.
With his 13-catch, 132-yard receiving performance on Sunday, Keenan Allen passed Hall of Fame tight end Kellen Winslow for No. 3 on the team's all-time receptions list. This marks the second-straight week Allen moved up a spot in team history books via chargers.com
Offensive Line
James Campen’s makeshift O-Line looks fragile. Herbert did will to make plays under pressure, but pass protection must improve. The Panthers hadn’t registered a sack coming into Week 3, but it took them less than two minutes of the game to get to Herbert. Marquis Haynes, got the first sack, with Brian Burns getting the other. Bryan Bulaga and Trey Pipkins had trouble dealing with Burns all afternoon.
Herbert shows promise
The box score shows another pick for Herbert but it only tells part of the story. The rookie led the Chargers down field, putting them into a game winning position on the final drive of the game. The Bolts eventually fell short after Ekeler fumbled a ‘Hook and Ladder’ trick play with no time remaining on the clock.
Herbert finished 35-of-49 passing for 330 yards, one touchdown and an interception. No.10 is the 3rd quarterback in history with 300 of more passing yards in his fist two NFL games.
Melvin Ingram
The defense missed Melvin Ingram. Gus Bradley’s unit found it difficult to break down a stubborn Carolina offensive line. Joey Bosa stepped up and he did what he does best, putting the fear into the offensive line. Bosa’s 4th quarter sack was a highlight of the game.
Penalties and turnovers
The Bolts committed eight penalties, and some of them came in crucial moments. It’s an area of the game that needs cleaning up. Jerry Tillery must learn from his neutral zone infraction. The penalty led to the Panthers’ lone touchdown. The team will get punished if they continue to turn the football over.
Final Word
There’s no need to panic, and there’s little point in asking for the front office to replace Coach Lynn. The Chargers are 0-2 at their new home, and they need to pick themselves up for a Week 4 matchup against a Tom Brady led Tampa Bay (2-1).
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