Despite a valiant effort on both sides of the ball, the Indianapolis Colts struggled to find the endzone against the Los Angeles Chargers defense as they lost 20-3 on Monday night. The home team fell victim to the connection between Justin Herbert and Keenan Allen, as the latter had 10 receptions for 103 yards helping the Chargers make the postseason for the first time since 2018.
The Bolts fans have witnessed countless injuries to the team this season with key guys having season-ending injuries. Some of them are expected back in the next week or two. Though through it all, Brandon Staley’s crew has stayed strong, and now the Blue and Yellow faithful will get to witness Herbert in his first NFL playoff game.
Colts versus Chargers
In the first quarter, it appeared to be a back-and-forth contest. With neither team crossing the endzone, nor kicking a field goal through the uprights. In fact, both Herbert and Nick Foles, who filled in at QB for Indianapolis, threw interceptions in the opening quarter. It wasn’t until 6:20 into the second that LA scored their first touchdown of the game. When Austin Ekeler rushed in from a yard out. From there, the Colts and Chargers swapped field goals with the visitors taking a 10-3 lead into the halftime locker room.
In the second half, the Chargers defense played stout and didn’t allow the Colts to get close enough for a touchdown, let alone a field goal. In the third quarter, the LAC Kicker Cameron Dicker would put one through the uprights. The field goal would make it a 13-3 game. In the fourth quarter, Ekeler ran in from the same spot for his second touchdown of the night.
Chargers
With the win, the Chargers have officially clinched a playoff berth. Herbert led the visitors offensively with 24 completions for 235 yards. He added 3 yards on the ground. Allen led the receiving corps with 11 receptions for 104 yards, Mike Williams added 4 receptions for 76 yards, and Joshua Palmer, Ekeler, and Tre McKitty all reached double digits in receiving yards. Ekeler carried 18 times for 67 yards and two touchdowns, while Joshua Kelley rushed nine times for 33 yards.
“It means a lot for our team,” Herbert said of the playoff berth. “We’ve been through so much this season and for our guys to battle and continue to play the way they did tonight.”
The Chargers have a lot of work to do in order to prepare for playoff-level football.
“This is just the beginning, ” said LAC coach Brandon Staley. “Making the playoffs is not our final destination, we expected to be at this point. I’m proud of how we made it this season.”
Colts
On the flip side, the Colts are still searching for a permanent quarterback, a true starter that they haven’t had since Andrew Luck. This week’s starter, Foles completed 17 passes for 143 yards with three interceptions. On the ground game, Zack Moss led the way. Through the air Foles connected with Jelani Woods for three receptions and 43 yards, Michael Pittman Jr. added four receptions for 39 yards, and Alec Pierce added three receptions for 26 yards.
“Can’t leave the defense on the field the way we did, ” stated IND coach Jeff Saturday.
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