Chargers-Cardinals Recap: Justin Herbert leads game-winning drive over feisty Arizona

The Chargers bounced again following their two-game shedding streak to beat the Cardinals 25-24 due to a landing within the waning seconds of Sunday’s afternoon matchup in Arizona.

With 12 seconds remaining, offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi pulled out the staff’s “cash” play — a faux run dash out to the appropriate the place Justin Herbert hit Austin Ekeler in stride earlier than reaching the ball contained in the pylon.

As an alternative of taking part in for the tie, Staley selected to go for a two-point attempt. Herbert discovered Gerald Everett on an angle route and the remaining was historical past.

The protection additionally deserves loads of reward, even when Kyler Murray and the Cardinals ran roughshod over them at instances.

Derwin James took the ball away twice and so they did simply sufficient to provide Herbert the ball on the very finish.

Fairly good for a “social media” quarterback, for those who ask me.

For a whole quarter-by-quarter recap of tonight’s sport, examine all of it out under.

First Quarter

The Chargers began with the ball however did not do a lot on their opening drive. After a primary down catch by Keenan Allen on the staff’s preliminary third down of the sport, the Bolts have been compelled to punt after J.J. Watt beat Jamaree Salyer for a clear sack.

Derwin James stole the ball away from James Connor only a few performs into the Arizona drive to provide the Chargers glorious subject place. Nonetheless, they couldn’t muster a primary down, Herbert was sacked once more — this time by Zach Thomas — and so they punted as soon as once more.

The Cardinals lastly discovered a groove with out giving the ball away on their subsequent drive. On a 3rd down inside Chargers territory, Kyler Murray discovered DeAndre Hopkins over the center. Rookie JT Woods tried to throw a shoulder into Hopkins however the All-Professional spun across the try and glided into the top zone nearly untouched from 33 yards out. With 2:33 within the quarter, the Playing cards have been up 7-0.

Herbert and the offense as soon as once more couldn’t muster something on their subsequent offensive possession. After going three-and-out for the second time of their first three drives, that they had simply 17 complete yards on 12 performs within the first quarter-hour.

The quarter expired with the Cardinals again in Chargers territory following an excellent punt return by Pharoh Cooper.

Second Quarter

True to kind, the Chargers offense got here to life early within the second quarter.

After punting 3 times within the opening interval, Herbert marched the offense 75 yards in 11 performs and located Keenan Allen for his first rating of the 2022 season. With a little bit beneath 9 minutes remaining within the half, the Chargers have been again in it down 10-7.

On the Cardinals ensuing drive, they have been stopped in need of a primary on third down and Kliff Kingsbury determined to aim a play-action cross on fourth-and-one.

Murray dropped again and tried to hit Hopkins up the left sideline with James in protection. The ball was under-thrown and James was capable of rip it away from Hopkins for his second takeaway of the half.

Herbert stored his foot on the fuel, discovering DeAndre Carter from 33 yards out to push the Chargers again over the Cardinals 14-10 with roughly 4:30 to play within the half.

Murray lastly realized he might use his legs in opposition to the Bolts protection on the ultimate drive as he mustered over 35 dashing yards and a landing run simply earlier than the half ticked away.

Because the groups headed to the locker rooms, the Cardinals have been again on high 17-14.

Third Quarter

Arizona began the second half on offense with all of the momentum on this planet to seek out factors on both aspect of the break. The offense began scorching with an enormous 18-yard run by Murray on a quarterback sweep to the appropriate. On the following play, Connor broke unfastened for one more first down.

The Chargers protection lastly hunkered down and compelled the Cardinals to kick, however Matt Prater went large left for his first miss within the final 18 makes an attempt. After the primary drive of the second half, the Bolts remained down by three.

Herbert rode a streak of 18-straight completions by way of the following drive nevertheless it ended contained in the Arizona 20-yard line on a cross to Allen ultimately zone who couldn’t fairly get two toes in. They have been finally stopped in need of a landing and settled for 3 factors to knot issues up at 17-17.

Time ticked away within the third interval with the Cardinals on the Chargers 12-yard line.

Fourth Quarter

Simply after the beginning of the quarter, Murray discovered Connor on a wheel route up the appropriate sideline. Kenneth Murray had him useless to rights 4 yards in need of the aim line and toes from the sideline however Murray whiffed and Connor jogged into the top zone to provide Arizona again the lead 24-17.

The Chargers protection discovered a groove late within the sport, forcing the Cardinals into two consecutive three-and-outs. Sadly, the offense couldn’t handle any factors following each stops.

With one last drive to go, Herbert willed the offense down the sphere with large performs from each Allen and Palmer to maintain the chains shifting.

Ekeler was the face of the drive ultimately as he received the staff all the way down to the one-yard line on a display screen after which caught a landing with 12 seconds left.

The previous Brandon Staley got here out following the rating because the staff determined to go for 2 as an alternative of taking part in for the tie. Herbert discovered Gerald Everett on the try to the Chargers would stroll away victors 25-24 on the highway.

Justin Herbert completed with 274 yards on 35-of-47 passing with three touchdowns.

Austin Ekeler had one other quiet sport with solely 20 dashing yards on 5 carries. He additionally pitched in 11 receptions for 60 extra yards, together with the game-winning landing.

DeAndre Carter paced the offense with 73 yards and a rating on a season excessive seven receptions. Keenan Allen caught 5 passes for 49 yards and his first landing of the season.

Alohi Gilman led the protection with 10 complete tackles and a cross deflection. Michael Davis recorded the staff’s lone sack on Kyler Murray.

The Chargers are on the highway once more subsequent week in opposition to the Raiders.