Head coach Brandon Staley and the Los Angeles Chargers acquired a late Christmas current Monday evening. In entrance of a chief time viewers, the Chargers made the playoffs for the primary time since 2018.
The Chargers protection held off the Indianapolis Colts in a 20-3 win in Week 16. Los Angeles left Indianapolis scoreless after the break and compelled three clearances.
Justin Herbert and the Chargers offense had a comparatively quiet evening, nevertheless it did not take a lot for the offense to win a decisive playoff win.
Listed below are the winners and losers of Monday evening’s AFC battle:
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Winners
Charger Safety
Enjoying with out star quarterback Dervin James for many of the sport (see under), the Chargers protection stopped the Colts’ sluggish offense.
The Chargers had Colts quarterback Nick Fowles beneath strain all evening. Los Angeles’ entrance seven took over the Colts’ offensive line, and the Chargers’ secondary line made life troublesome for Indy’s cross catchers.
The Los Angeles protection had seven sacks, a season-high, and three interceptions. The Chargers’ protection held the Colts’ offense for under 173 yards.
Six totally different gamers registered sacks. The Chargers protection allowed zero touchdowns in a single sport for the primary time since 2018.
Austin Eckeler is broke once more
Ekeler scored two touchdowns in that win, giving him the perfect 16 touchdowns within the NFL that season. Each of Ekeler’s touchdowns got here at shut quarters.
The Chargers working again have a nostril for the top zone.
Broad receiver Keenan Allen
Allen once more turned probably the most fixed goal of Los Angeles. He compiled a game-high 11 catches and 104 yards within the win. He was focused by Herbert 14 occasions.
It was Allen’s fourth consecutive sport with a minimum of six receptions and 80 receiving yards.
Justin Herbert made the playoffs for the primary time
Herbert turned the primary participant in NFL historical past to succeed in 4,000 yards in every of his first three seasons. He solely handed 235 yards and had an interception within the game-winner, however earned the primary playoff berth of his profession.
Impulse chargers
Constructing optimistic momentum is paramount right now of yr for playoff groups. The Chargers are on a three-game profitable streak. Los Angeles closes out the season towards two groups beneath .500 (Los Angeles Rams and Denver Broncos).
Losers
Colts offensive line
The Colts’ offensive line suffered a horrible defeat, permitting seven sacks. Fowles confronted fixed strain. The quarterback took 9 hits.
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Nick Falls
Fowles turned the Colts’ third beginning quarterback of the season in Week 16. Fowles, who was the Tremendous Bowl 52 MVP with the Philadelphia Eagles, carried out poorly in his first begin because the Colts’ QB. He was 17 of 29 passes for 143 yards and had three interceptions.
Regardless of being an 11-year veteran, Fowles is in a troublesome place. It was apparent that he did not have chemistry together with his vast receivers.
Interim Colts Coach Jeff Saturday
Saturday fell to 1-5 as interim coach of the Colts. His document doesn’t bode effectively for promotion after the season. However, like Fowles, he discovered himself in a really troublesome scenario. The Colts are usually not a really gifted soccer membership, and two of their finest gamers, working again Jonathan Taylor and linebacker Shaquille Leonard, are each on injured reserve.
Derwin James leaves early
James began the sport with a efficiency worthy of being a winner, however the Chargers’ security was ejected from the sport after a vicious head-to-head hit on Colts vast receiver Ashton Doolin within the second quarter.
James was fined for the sport and suspended from the sport.
On the time of the discharge, he had three tackles and one interception.
Colts third down effectivity
The Colts offense was horrible on the third down towards the Chargers 0-for-10.
The Colts entered the sport ranked twenty sixth within the NFL rankings and completed in third place.
Observe USA TODAY Sports activities’ Tyler Dragon on Twitter. @TylerDragon.
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