By Fredo Cervantes
The Chargers are now 4-3 in the year which seems unusual with the excitement they’ve been riding on this year. Rookie WR Joshua Palmer caught a late touchdown with 0:40 seconds remaining in the game which cut the lead to 27-24 but it was too late for any miracle to happen.
After a Bye week for the Chargers last week, they came in hungry as they scored in the first drive of the game with an extra point kick by the new Chargers K Dustin Hopkins.
New @chargers K Dustin Hopkins getting his first kicks as a member of the #Chargers #TheFredoReport 🎥: @FredoCervantes pic.twitter.com/Pj3Y6ssU2O
— In the Front Row – The BEST Views in Sports (@InTheFrontRowLA) October 31, 2021
Patriots rookie QB Mac Jones looked good in his first drive as well. He did not look as good in his second drive late in the first quarter. He’s been good in past few weeks as they won big last Sunday against the Jets 54-13 in New England.
On Justin Herbert’s third drive of the game, he connected with Keenan Allen for a touchdown after a big 75 yard run from Justin Jackson. Chargers head coach Brandon Staley made some great adjustments against Bill Belichick early on before the Patriots took control.
The Chargers got the ball back with 2 minutes left but then Justin Herbert had a nightmare of his own and threw an interception which was intended for Ekeler but was deflected and the Patriots took possession with under a minute to go in the first half. They added 3 more points before heading into halftime as the Chargers led 14-13.
Patriots received the ball in the 3rd and really didn’t do anything with it as they fumbled the ball and allowed the Chargers to recover it but then gave it back right away. This game has been stuck on 14-13 for a while now but the crowd in SoFi Stadium has been electrified. There’s lots of Patriots fans in the house but not as much as there is Chargers fans.
As I’m watching this game live from SoFi Stadium, I’m realizing that this is an amazing stadium with great fans from both sides. Chargers K Dustin Hopkins hit a field goal with 0:39 seconds remaining in the third quarter to take the lead 17-16.
During the 4th quarter, the Chargers QB Justin Herbert threw a pass intended for TE Jared Cook but there was no communication and it was intercepted by the Patriots that led to an easy return and score. Patriots led by 7 in the middle of the fourth quarter but the Chargers had something to say about it just like the fans in the stadium. It was so loud at SoFi Stadium hearing the crowd as there was lots of fans from both sides.
There was 2:19 left in the game when the Patriots kicked a field goal to take a 27-17 lead as it does not represent the way the game was played. Both teams battled away but Justin Herbert had two bad interceptions which led to scores and also gave the Patriots big momentum moving forward. Patriots game plan was to keep the ball away from Justin Herbert in anyway possible so than he can stay on the bench watching the clock winding down. Even Patriots players did everything possible to stay in bounds as they were multiple plays they intentionally stood inside the lines to keep the clock running, now that’s coaching coming from Bill Belichick.
This was a match up from Bill Bellichick and Brandon Staley, a man who has 6 Super Bowl wins and another who is in his rookie year of coaching in the NFL.
#Chargers WR Keenan Allen on frustration, “Same thing every year. We’re beating ourselves.” pic.twitter.com/0foE4WJZu5
— Fernando Ramirez (@RealFRamirez) October 31, 2021
Chargers front office should be open 24/7 for the next week because the NFL trade deadline is on Tuesday and the Chargers got lots of work to do in order to have a successful season. Especially right after the other team across the hall, the Los Angeles Rams who just acquired Pro Bowler Von Miller from The Denver Broncos. It let’s you know that the Rams are all in.
Blockbuster: Broncos are finalizing a trade to send eight-time Pro Bowl linebacker Von Miller to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for two second-day 2022 draft picks, league sources tell ESPN.
Miller is now saying his goodbyes to his friends in the Broncos’ training facility. pic.twitter.com/wJjlDOQkPU
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 1, 2021
Are the Chargers all in this season?
We will see by tomorrow’s deadline.
Stay tuned and follow me on Instagram and Twitter for all your latest updates on the Chargers and all major sports:
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