Chargers defeat Washington 20 – 16

September 12, 2021

By Noonefromtampa

First Quarter

To begin the game, Washington won the coin toss but elected to defer. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert took full advantage, going six for six for 40 yards to drive Los Angeles 70 yards in 10 plays for an opening drive score. The longest play of the drive was a 13 yard run by Larry Roundtree III. The longest pass play was an 11 yard pass to Mike Williams. The Washington defense did not look like was ready for the Chargers to execute a short pass and run type offense. The drive ended with a 3 yard touchdown run by Austin Ekeler.

Washington’s first offensive series did not look much better than the preseason offense. It was a three and out with a six yard run by Antonio Gibson and two incompletions. Tress Way’s punt was off but rolled a long way for 57 yards. This backed up the Chargers to their own 12 yard line.

Washington’s defense held LA to 3 yards on three plays to force a three and out, looking much more comfortable on this series. Ty Long kicked a 47 yard punt but DeAndre Carter returned it 14 yards to give Washington excellent field position.

Washington was able to move the ball 36 yards before stalling at the Chargers’ 12 yard line. The key play on the drive a was nice off-tackle run by Gibson for 27 yards. The passing game still did not look in sync at this point. Dustin Hopkins was able to convert the 30 yard field goal, making the score 7-3.

After the kickoff, the Chargers completed an 11 yard pass to Keenan Allen, but has two incompletion and a 4 yard completion on the next three plays. The Chargers were then forced to punt the ball away. Long again had a 47 yard punt with an 8-yard return by Carter.

Second Quarter

In a drive that started and the end of the first quarter, Washington was able to pick up a first down on three runs by Gibson.  Ryan Fitzpatrick then attempted to hit Dyami Brown on a deep post which drew a 35 yard defensive pass interference penalty. Then the wheels fell off of the bus. Three straight negative plays forced Washington to attempt a 43 yard field goal which Hopkins converted, making the score 7-6.

Herbert returned to form in the next Chargers series, hitting passes of 18 yards to Williams, 16 yards and 10 yards to Allen, and 22 yards to Jalen Guyton. The Chargers were able to move 71 yards in 10 plays before stalling out at the Washington 15 yard line. Tristan Vizcaino kicked a 33 yard field goal to make the score 10-6 Los Angeles.

On Washington’s next offensive series Fitzpatrick was injured while attempting to pass, Taylor Heinicke entered the game and threw two straight incompletions to Brown. The television broadcast announced that Fitzpatrick had a right hip injury and was questionable to return. Way had a 45 yard punt with only a 3 yard return by Kemon Hall.

Los Angeles then went on a nearly eight-minute drive that went 73 yards in 18 plays down to the Washington 5 yard line. The Chargers were able to overcome a 10 yard holding penalty on Bryan Bulaga. Herbert hit completions of 11 yards and two of 17 yards during the drive. Jonathan Allen was finally able to sack Herbert at the Washington 9 yard line. Vizcaino kicked his second field goal of the day for 27 yards to make the score Chargers 13, Washington 6.

Heinicke looked more settled in at quarterback in the next series. He was able to complete two passes to Logan Thomas for 12 yards and 7 yards. The key play was a 15 yard penalty on Joey Bosa for roughing the quarterback. Hopkins was able to convert a 48 yard field as time expired in the first half to make the score 13-9.

Third Quarter

Washington started on offense to start the half. Heinicke picked up where he left off at the end of the first half and went 5 for 5 for 70 yards and an 11 yard touchdown pass to Thomas. The big play on the drive was a 37 yard completion to Terry McLaurin which took the ball down the 11 yard line. The next play was the Thomas touchdown to give Washington the lead by a score of 16 – 13. The offense looked much more organized with Heinicke running it. He was able to use his feet to pick up positive yards when the offensive line protection broke down.

In response, Herbert continued his excellent performance and led the Chargers on a 12 play, 68 yard drive, picking apart the Washington defense.  He has his biggest completion of 23 yards to Jared Cook thanks to blown coverage by Jonathan Bostic. Ekeler also had a 14 yard run. With the Chargers down to Washington’s 20 yard line, Herbert dropped back to pass and had his arm hit by Montez Sweat. The play was ruled a fumbled which went through the end zone and became a touchback.

Washington took the ball back on its own 20. Heinicke was able to manage a 12 play, 62 yard drive taking the team down the Chargers’ 26 yard line. However, a false start on Brandon Scherff and a subsequent two yard loss on a screen to Brown put the ball on the 33 yard line where Hopkins missed a 51 yard field goal attempt. On the drive, Gibson had 32 yards rushing and Heinicke completed a 17 yard pass to Cam Sims and a 17 yard shuttle pass to McLaurin. Scherff also had a 10 yard holding penalty on the drive.

Fourth Quarter

The Chargers then came back with completions of 19 yards to Cook and 17 yards to Allen. William Jackson II intercepted a pass from Herbert intended for Stephen Anderson. Unfortunately, Gibson fumbled the ball back to the Chargers on the next play which led to a three yard touchdown pass to Williams, giving the Chargers the lead by a score of 20 – 16.

The Washington offense managed 35 yards on 9 plays on the following drive. The effort was halted by a 15 yard clipping penalty on Adam Humphries during a screen to Brown, giving Washington a second down and 19 to go situation. The offense was only able to pick up 13 yards and was forced to punt. It seemed to be a questionable decision at the time, since the defense had not consistently stopped the Chargers offense all day. It would end up being a regrettable decision because the Chargers then drove 82 yards in 15 plays to run the remaining nearly 7 minutes off the clock. In a must stop situation, Washington’s defense gave up pass plays of 17 yards to Allen, 19 yards to Hill and 20 yards to Williams.

Final Score: Chargers 20, WFT 16

Positives

Taylor Heinicke coming in and providing some positive energy to the offense.

William Jackson II with 2 passes defended and 1 interception.

DeAndre Carter with a good return game.

Negatives

Antonio Gibson, despite 90 yards rushing, with a fumble inside the 10 yard line which led to a Chargers touchdown.

The defensive game plan, which did nothing to counter the quick passing game of the Chargers.

Poor game and clock management by the coaching staff.