NFL

Los Angeles Chargers at Carolina Panthers

· National Football League
2-0, 1-0 Away
Final
26 - 3
0-2, 0-1 Home

Justin Herbert throws 2 TDs to Quentin Johnston; Chargers hammer Panthers 26-3 to remain unbeaten

The Chargers (2-0) methodically wore down the Panthers, piling up 219 yards on the ground while holding Carolina to just 159 total yards and seven first downs.

Second-year quarterback Bryce Young had another miserable game, finishing 18 of 26 passing for 84 yards with one interception and was booed repeatedly by the home crowd while falling to 2-16 as a starter.

The Panthers have been outscored 73-13 this season.

The Panthers, who fell behind 30-0 in the second quarter last week against New Orleans, trailed 20-0 at halftime after being outgained 204-54 before the break. The crowd let out a sarcastic cheer when Chuba Hubbard ran for the Panthers' initial first down more than 25 minutes into the game.

By that time the Chargers were well in command.

Los Angeles took a 6-0 lead on the game's opening possession when Herbert connected on a perfectly placed 29-yard touchdown pass to Johnston, who beat one-on-one coverage by Jaycee Horn. Cameron Dicker missed the extra point, snapping a streak of 60 straight made kicks to begin his career.

Horn got even on the next series when he intercepted Herbert at the Chargers 41, but Young rolled out to the left and inexplicably took a sack on third down to take the Panthers out of field-goal range.

It was all downhill from there for Carolina (0-2).

Herbert connected again with Johnston for a 5-yard TD pass on a blown coverage by Carolina's defense.

Dobbins then made it 20-0 when he cut outside, broke a tackle by Xavier Woods, tiptoed down the left sideline and somersaulted into the end zone for his second TD of the season.

He became the first NFL player since Jamal Lewis in 2003 with three runs of at least 43 yards the first two weeks of the season. Lewis had all three of his in his 295-yard rushing game against the Cleveland Browns in Week 2.

Herbert finished 14 of 20 for 130 yards and Johnson had five catches for 51 yards.

At times, it appeared the Panthers were playing not to let the score get more out of hand, twice running the football in the final minutes of the third quarter while down by 20 — much to the chagrin of the home crowed, the majority of which left before the fourth quarter.

Carolina didn't throw the ball down the field.

Staying in Charlotte The Chargers will remain in Charlotte this week to practice before heading to Pittsburgh for next week's game. Jim Harbaugh will practice at UNC Charlotte, where Biff Poggi, his former assistant and associate head coach at Michigan, is now the head coach.

Up next Chargers: At Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.

Panthers: At Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.

How can I watch Chargers vs. Panthers?

  • TV Channel: Chargers at Panthers 2021-22 NFL, week 2 is broadcasted nationally on CBS and NFL Sunday Ticket - Paramount+ NFL on CBS 2021 - Try it FREE!.
  • Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.
    In Canada, viewers can watch Chargers vs. Panthers on DAZN.

Matchup Prediction

Panthers: 32.6%
Chargers: 67.1%
*According to ESPN's Football Power Index

Scoring Summary

LAC TD 1st Period 9:20 Quentin Johnston 29 Yd pass from Justin Herbert (Cameron Dicker PAT failed)
LAC TD 2nd Period 4:16 Quentin Johnston 5 Yd pass from Justin Herbert (Cameron Dicker Kick)
LAC TD 2nd Period 2:01 J.K. Dobbins 43 Yd Run (Cameron Dicker Kick)
CAR FG 3rd Period 12:18 Eddy Pineiro 38 Yd Field Goal
LAC FG 3rd Period 9:03 Cameron Dicker 46 Yd Field Goal
LAC FG 4th Period 11:02 Cameron Dicker 42 Yd Field Goal

Statistics

https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nfl/500/lac.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originLAC https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nfl/500/car.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originCAR
21 1st Downs 7
8 Passing 1st downs 3
10 Rushing 1st downs 4
3 1st downs from penalties 0
9-16 3rd down efficiency 1-12
0-0 4th down efficiency 1-3
65 Total Plays 46
349 Total Yards 159
5.4 Yards per Play 3.5
12 Total Drives 11
130 Passing 69
14/20 Comp/Att 18/26
6.2 Yards per pass 2.5
1 Interceptions thrown 1
1-0 Sacks-Yards Lost 2-15
219 Rushing 90
44 Rushing Attempts 18
5.0 Yards per rush 5.0
1-2 Red Zone (Made-Att) 0-0
3-15 Penalties 9-90
2 Turnovers 1
1 Fumbles lost 0
1 Interceptions thrown 1
0 Defensive / Special Teams TDs 0
36:18 Possession 23:42

Game Information

Bank of America Stadium

Location: Charlotte, NC
Attendance: 70,145 · Capacity:

2024 AFC West Standings

TEAM W L PCT T PF PA
Kansas City 7 0 1.000 0 173 123
Denver 5 3 .625 0 173 120
Los Angeles 4 3 .571 0 132 91
Las Vegas 2 6 .250 0 144 210

2024 NFC South Standings

TEAM W L PCT T PF PA
Atlanta 5 3 .625 0 194 195
Tampa Bay 4 4 .500 0 235 213
New Orleans 2 6 .250 0 185 206
Carolina 1 7 .125 0 124 271
Full Standings

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