INGLEWOOD, CA– After dropping consecutive games, it was a must win for the Los Angeles Chargers heading into their match up against the Chicago Bears on NBC’s ‘Sunday Night Football’ at majestic SoFi Stadium on October 29th. In front of a National audience, Justin Herbert and the Bolts played their most complete and best game of 2023, moving to (3-4) on the season.
It was all Chargers from the kickoff, Quarterback Justin Herbert found Running Austin Ekeler for a 39-yd touchdown pass. Ekeler is such an excellent dual threat in the backfield, offensive coordinator Kellen Moore made a wonderful decision by making Ekeler be the focal point of the offense.
Herbert went 31-of-40 for 298 yards and had three touchdowns in the win for the Chargers. Ekeler had 29 rushing yards on 15 carries, but had another 94 yards on seven catches. Keenan Allen added 69 yards on eight grabs.
Herbert completed his first 15 passes to begin the game as the quarterback led the Chargers on four-straight scoring drives to begin the first half.
Charger fans need not worry about the defense. It’s a well oiled machine; stifling the Bears and rookie QB Tyson Badget. Bagent went 25-of-37 for 232 yards with two interceptions for the Bears in the loss. The Chargers defense was led by linebacker Eric Kendricks, who had 10 tackles. Cornerback Ja’Sir Taylor and safety Derwin James each had interceptions.
Badget, a former Division II star who went undrafted out of Shepherd University was making his second start in place of Justin Fields, who is dealing with a thumb injury. He led the Bears to a 30-12 win over the Las Vegas Raiders last Sunday, so naturally the hype train and beleaguered Bears fans hoped he might be the one.
The Bears have lost their last four games in Los Angeles and haven’t won in the city since the 2018 season, when they defeated the L.A. Rams, 15-6, at the Coliseum. Three of those defeats were in front of a national television audience.
“We’ve been in search of a game like this,” coach Brandon Staley said. “I felt like our guys really earned it.” It was a great second half from the Chargers, an area of concern over the past couple of weeks. Hopefully, the Chargers hope this trend continues.
America and NFL fans cannot get enough of the Los Angeles Chargers, next week the Chargers travel to MetLife Stadium to face the New York Jets on Monday Night Football.