The Bolts can clinch their first trip to the playoffs since 2018 with a win in primetime.
The moment is finally here for the Chargers to take their destiny into their own hands.
With a win tonight over the Colts (4-9-1), the Bolts can go ahead and punch their own ticket to the postseason, marking their first trip to the playoffs since their 2018 campaign where they went 12-4 and beat the Ravens in the wild card round.
Justin Herbert has broken a plethora of records through his near-three professional seasons, but now he and his team are just one win away from finally getting their young passer into the playoffs and checking that box off his already-impressive resume.
The Colts are trotting out veteran quarterback Nick Foles in place of the benched Matt Ryan this week while also being without All-Pro running back Jonathan Taylor. Despite being one of the feistier teams in the NFL this year — they did beat the Chiefs after all — it’s hard not to believe this should be one of the easier games for the Chargers this season.
But as we all know, it’s never that simple.
For a complete quarter-by-quarter recap of tonight’s game, check it all out below.
First Quarter
The Chargers won the toss and chose to defer to begin the game.
Both offenses traded three-and-outs before the Colts managed to find a groove on their second possession. Rookie tight end Jelani Woods caught a pair of passes, both for first downs, and big fourth-down conversion to rookie wideout Alec Pierce had the offense moving right along. But on the very next play following the fourth down, Nick Foles through an ill-advised ball with no clear recipient and Michael Davis came away with the game’s first turnover.
That turnover by the Colts was quickly reciprocated as just three plays into the next drive, Herbert fired a rocket to Keenan Allen but the ball deflected off his chest and landed in the finger tips of a Colts defensive back.
But wait…there’s more!
Foles moved the chains once again to begin the Colts’ third possession with a couple quick throws, but pressure by Kyle Van Noy forced another errant throw that was picked off by a soaring Derwin James who just managed to get both feet in to secure another interception by the Colts.
So through the game’s first 11 minutes, there have been a trio of interceptions (two from Foles, one from Herbert).
When the first period finally came to an end, each team had punted three times and the score remained 0-0.
Second Quarter
After beginning their drive in the first quarter, the Chargers capped off a 13-play, 70-yard drive with a one-yard plunge by Austin Ekeler. Cameron Dicker knocked home the extra point and the Chargers had a 7-0 lead with 8:41 remaining in the first half.
The Colts answered the touchdown by the Bolts with a field goal to close the gap to 7-3 with under five minutes to play in the half.
En route to the Indy field goal, James authored back-to-back plays with a penalty, ending in a massive hit on receiver Ashton Dulin that resulted in the Pro Bowl being ejected from the game. Despite looking worse in real-time than on the replay, the folks in New York decided the hit was far too unnecessary and they weren’t about to let James continue in this contest.
The Chargers responded with a strong drive but couldn’t convert it into a touchdown. Dicker pushed through another kick and the Bolts headed to the locker room with a 10-3 lead.
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter
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