Los Angeles Chargers: Studs and duds vs. Bears in Week 8
By Kamil Roy
The Los Angeles Chargers survived on Sunday in Week 8 to earn a 17-16 road win over the Titans. These are the studs and duds from the victory.
Luckily for the Los Angeles Chargers, the Chicago Bears are not only still seeking an identity on offense but are also still plagued with issues at the kicker position.
As both teams were off to slow starts on offense in the first half, each was able to find their rhythm afterward. Although Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky was able to make a few good throws, he often relied heavily on running back David Montgomery to move down the field. However, despite an effective run game, it wasn’t enough to dispell the team’s offensive struggles.
Trubisky turned the ball over twice and often failed to convert on third down, the latter resulting in the Bears having to constantly rely on kicker Eddy Piñeiro. However, Piñeiro was anything but reliable, missing two of his five field goal attempts, including a 41-yarder during the game’s final seconds, sealing the Chargers’ victory.
Other than allowing the Bears’ sole touchdown to Montgomery, the Chargers defense kept the Chicago offense in check. Two turnovers forced by the Chargers gave their offense opportunities to score. Although unable to score any points after an interception by Chargers cornerback Casey Hayward, the Chargers offense did, however, score a touchdown off a fumble recovery by defensive end Melvin Ingram.
In short, the Chargers took advantage of the Bears’ struggling offense and kicking woes to win the game. But digging into the game, these were the Chargers’ studs and duds from Week 8.