INGLEWOOD, California -- The Los Angeles Chargers' sideline erupted in jubilation following two special plays by a history-plagued special teams unit.
With 4:58 remaining in overtime, the Bolts recovered a muffed punt on the Denver Broncos' 28-yard line. Then, four plays later, kicker Dustin Hopkins -- playing through a right hamstring injury -- knocked down a 39-yard field goal to give the Chargers a 19-16 win at SoFi Stadium.
With the win, the Bolts improve to 4-2 -- keeping them in the thick of the race for the AFC West, while proving that they can come up clutch.
Last Sunday, the Chargers were gifted a victory from the Cleveland Browns when kicker Cade York missed a potential game-winning 54-yard field goal.
On Monday Night Football, the Chargers left no doubt that they could win on their terms.
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Los Angeles Chargers
QB breakdown: Justin Herbert and the Bolts' offense struggled to find a rhythm against a fast and physical defense. Herbert completed 37 of 57 passes for 238 yards with an interception.
Through regulation, Herbert averaged 2.2 air yards on his completions, below his previous career low of 2.7.
Cornerback Pat Surtain II effectively eliminated go-to target wide receiver Mike Williams, who finished with two catches for 17 yards -- including a clutch 9-yard reception in overtime to set up the game-winning field goal.
Herbert's lone touchdown drive came in the first quarter, when he put together a seven-play, 84-yard drive that resulted in Austin Ekeler rushing 6 yards for a score to put the Bolts on the board, 10-7.
In the fourth quarter, on first-and-10 from his own 17-yard line, Herbert had a pass intercepted that was intended for Gerald Everett -- his second interception of the season when targeting his new tight end.
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Herbert, who was sacked twice, is continuing to play through fractured rib cartilage, about which he said earlier this week, "I think it's getting better. I think time is probably the best help."
Troubling trend: Cornerback J.C. Jackson not playing to standard after signing a five-year, $82.5 million contract in free agency.
Jackson could only watch, on an apparent blown assignment, as tight end Greg Dulcich sprinted by for a 39-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter to give the Broncos a 10-0 lead. A fifth-year pro, Jackson played four seasons in New England, where he led the NFL in interceptions (25) since 2018.
Jackson awaits his first pick as a Charger, and it's unclear exactly what has caused his slow start to the season, whether it's learning a new scheme or coming back from ankle surgery performed in late August.
Buy on a breakout performance: After spending most of the 2021 season on the sideline following ankle surgery, edge rusher Khalil Mack is proving in his ninth NFL season that he has plenty remaining in the tank.