The Chargers’ offense did its job. The defense did not.
To recap Los Angeles’ 41-38 loss to the Lions, here is everything to know.
It was over when...
The Lions converted on 4th-and-2 and took the clock down to two seconds to set up kicker Riley Patterson for a 41-yard field goal which he nailed right down the middle of the uprights.
Game notes
- The Chargers produced 421 yards of total offense and allowed 533 yards on defense.
- The Lions compiled 10.1 yards per reception and 200 yards rushing.
- The Chargers were 7 for 14 on third down and 3 for 3 in the red zone.
- Both teams had zero sacks.
- Amon-Ra St. Brown had 8 catches for 156 yards.
3 stars of the game
- QB Justin Herbert: 27-of-40 passing, 323 yards, 4 touchdowns
- WR Keenan Allen: 11 catches, 175 yards, touchdown
- WR Quentin Johnston: 4 catches, 34 yards, first career TD
Quick Hits
- After a down performance against the Jets, Justin Herbert bounced back and had arguably his best of the season and one of the better outings of his career.
- Credit to the offensive line for holding up for most of the game and not allowing a sack, but even when he was pressured, Herbert did an excellent job navigating the pocket and getting out on the move to make plays.
- We hadn’t seen Herbert showcase his immense arm talent in a while, so seeing him dropping dimes was quite a sight.
- Keenan Allen is 31 years old but continues to play like he’s 21. His 11 catches and 175 yards marked the second-most this season. Even with a hurt left shoulder, Allen left to be evaluated and still came back in the game and scored his second touchdown of the game.
- Despite the passing game taking priority, the running game left plenty to be desired. Austin Ekeler and Joshua Kelley rushed for 3.4 yards per carry. The absence of Corey Linsley has been evident in multiple areas of the offense and the run game is the biggest one.
- Welcome back, Jalen Guyton. After missing nearly all of the 2022 season with a torn ACL, Guyton had his first touchdown since December of 2021. And welcome, Quentin Johnston. Johnston caught his first touchdown of his professional career.
- It seemed like the defense was finally coming together from what they showed the past two games, but the Lions put Brandon Staley’s unit back to earth.
- The run defense was the worst it’s been this season, as they allowed 193 yards and three touchdowns to David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. The Lions dominated the Chargers at the point of attack and created plenty of openings for the backs.
- Detroit had a field day passing to the middle of the field today, which is the area the Chargers have struggled to defend this season. Furthermore, it didn’t help that Los Angeles hardly got any pressure on Jared Goff. They finished with zero sacks.
- This was the second time giving up over 500 yards this season and the fourth time giving up over 475 yards.
- Derwin James is up to four unnecessary roughness penalties on the season, which is the most by any player in the NFL.
- I will leave you with this: According to ESPN’s Stats & Info, the Chargers’ loss to the Lions was their 13th loss by three or fewer points since the team drafted Herbert in 2020. That’s the most such losses in the NFL over that span.
- Ready for some more? That was the 100th one-score game for the Chargers in the last ten years.
What's next?
The Chargers travel to face the Packers next Sunday, Nov. 19, at 10:00 am PT.
