MidValleySports.Com

By Tim Peterson

The Chargers had a punt blocked, committed a turnover, and came up short three times on fourth down attempts in a 26-14 opening day loss to Arizona Sunday before 70, 540 fans at SoFi Stadium.

The Chargers scored on their opening drive and on a march in the third quarter but were shut down for the majority of the game.

Arizona took the opening possession and went 70 plays on 11 yards to go up 7-0. Jeremiyah Love capped the drive with a five-yard run.

The Chargers, however, responded with an 8-play, 77-yard touchdown march. Omarion Hampton scored on a nine-yard run to tie it at seven with 4:22 left in the first quarter.

Chad Ryland missed a 54-yard field goal attempt for the Cardinals early in the second quarter. But on the next possession Hampton fumbled and Andrew Wingard fell on it for Arizona at the Cards 35.

The Cardinals marched down to the Charger nine-yard line where the drive stalled, but Ryland booted a 27-yard field goal to put Arizona up 10-7 with 6:51 left in the second quarter.

A turning point came in the second quarter when the Chargers drove down to the Arizona three-yard line and decided to go for it on fourth and goal. The Cardinals sacked Justin Herbert at the 13-yard line to stop the threat with 1:55 left in the second quarter.

Following the fourth down stop the Cardinals moved down the field into Chargers territory. Ryland kicked a 44-yard field goal with no time remaining in the first half and Arizona took a 13-7 lead into the break. Instead of a possible tie at the half, the Chargers were down by six.

After the Chargers were forced to punt the Cardinals were on the march again and got into scoring position. Ryland kicked his third field goal of the day – a 34 yarder to make it 16-7 with 7:25 left in the third quarter.

On the next series the Chargers were aided by a pass interference penalty that set them up in the red zone. Herbert then found Ladd McConkey or an eight-yard touchdown pass get within two with just over six minutes left in the third. It seemed the Bolts were right back in it.

But early in the fourth quarter Arizona’s Simi Fehoko blocked a punt by JK Scott to set up the Cardinals at the LA three-yard line. Jacoby Brisset then connected with Trey McBride for a three-yard touchdown pass to increase Arizona’s lead to 23-14 with 11:44 left in the fourth quarter.

On the next possession Wingard gathered in his second turnover of the day as he intercepted a long ball by Herbert at the Cardinals five-yard line.

Late in the fourth quarter the Chargers went four it on fourth down and were stymied again setting up Arizona on a short field. Ryland kicked a 49-yard field goal to make it 26-14 with 2:33 left.

The Cardinals got the ball back after another failed Chargers possession and were able to run out the clock.

“There is much to get better at. Not the start that we wanted but credit to the Cardinals,” said Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh. “But this about our resolve, the way to bounce back.”

For the Chargers Herbert completed 17 of 27 for 209 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He also rushed five times for 29 yards. Hampton had 12 carries for 43 yards and a touchdown. McConkey was Herbert’s favorite target with five catches for 82 yards and a score before leaving in the third quarter with an injury.

For the Cards Brissett went 27 for 37 for 277 yards and a touchdown. Tyler Allgeier ran for 61 yards on 17 carries. Love had the touchdown run and gained 41 yards on the day on 11 carries. McBride was a major cog in the offensive wheel with 95 yards on nine catches and a touchdown.

The Chargers will host Las Vegas next Sunday at SoFi while the Cardinals are home against Seattle.

AZ 7 6 3 10 26

LA 7 0 7 0 14