Justin Hebert came alive against Doubters of his ability.
Despite a brutal game on offense in rainy conditions, Justin Herbert and the Chargers edged the New England Patriots 6-0 to end their three-game losing streak.
That was the glorious Sunday of Chargers punter JK Scott.
Eight punts — one with surgical precision — and zero return yards by the New England Patriots.
“That was fun,” said the 6-foot-5 Scott, standing in the middle of a raucous locker room with an irrepressible smile. “The last two years especially, my one goal with playing football was just to have fun.”
In the lowest-scoring NFL game of the season, the Chargers held on for a 6-0 victory on a soaked-to-the-skin afternoon when highlights were as sparse as the Gillette Stadium stands.
The Chargers ended their three-game losing streak, leaning on a stingy defensive effort and a few solid plays on special teams to defeat the lowly New England Patriots in rainy conditions at Gillette Stadium on Sunday.
On the Patriots’ final possession, the Chargers weathered a 14-yard pass to DeVante Parker and a pass interference penalty before breaking up Bailey Zappe passes on third and fourth downs.
A 23-yard catch by Chargers wide receiver Alex Erickson on the ensuing possession preserved the win.
The Chargers struggled mightily on offense, with two 38-yard field goals by Cameron Dicker proving to be the difference. Justin Herbert completed 22 of 37 passes for 212 yards for a Chargers team that was held to 241 total yards of offense. The Chargers dropped five passes.
Defensively, the Chargers shined, with Khalil Mack picking up two of their five sacks.
Zappe, making his first start this season in favor of the struggling Mac Jones, completed 13 of 25 passes for 141 yards. New England was held to 257 total yards.
Every time New England looks like it finally might score, the Chargers defense shuts it down.
After a 39-yard run by wide receiver Tyquan Thornton off a reverse moved the Patriots to the Chargers’ 35, Eric Kendricks and Derwin James Jr. sacked quarterback Bailey Zappe on third and fourth down to thwart another New England drive.
Patriots cornerback Jalen Mills sacked Justin Herbert on third down to end another Chargers drive in what has been a miserable afternoon for the Kellen Moore-guided offense.
The Chargers failed to do much of anything on their third possession of the second half, driving to midfield after picking up a pair of first downs on a handful of short passes. Herbert has completed 19 of 33 passes for 172 yards so far.
The Chargers defense has shined, with Khalil Mack sacking Patriots quarterback Bailey Zappe on third down to thwart another New England drive.
On the Chargers’ previous possession, wide receiver Quentin Johnston dropped a catchable pass on third down that ended the drive. It was the fourth drop of the day for Chargers receivers.