In some ways, the Chargers looked like the better team on Monday night against the Cardinals. In other ways though, they were the less disciplined squad and it ended up costing them a potential victory.
The team fell back to .500 at 3-3, but it was one that they let slip away it seems. Per usual, here are some players that boosted and hurt their stock in the Week 7 defeat.
Stock up: QB Justin Herbert
What a performance from #10. Despite Quentin Johnston’s absence, Herbert still put together his best performance of the season with 349 passing yards. His numbers could have been even better too, but his pass catchers dropped a handful of throws on the night. Herbert was phenomenal under pressure in particular and reminded everyone why he’s still an elite quarterback in this league.
Stock down: RB J.K. Dobbins
This was supposed to be a game in which the Chargers imposed their will in the running game. That did not go according to plan, as Dobbins’ longest run on the night was just 11 yards. Those explosive plays from the first two weeks of the season have all but disappeared. Dobbins averaged just 2.9 yards per carry on 14 attempts. That marks his fourth straight game finishing under four yards per carry.
Stock up: TE Will Dissly
With Hayden Hurst inactive, Dissly stepped up in a huge way. The veteran finished with a game-high eight catches and 81 receiving yards, which was the hightest total from a Charger this season. The performance further locks him in as the team’s clear No. 1 tight end even when Hurst returns to action.
Stock down: LB Daiyan Henley
A theme of the night was the Chargers’ missed tackling. While Henley has enjoyed a breakout season, he wasn’t at his best in Week 7. He missed four tackles on the night, which led the team. The linebacker core was poor in this particular department, and Henley stood out in negative way. He finished with four tackles, but still left a lot on the table.
Stock up: K Cameron Dicker
Dicker scored all 15 of the Chargers’ points on Monday evening. Unfortunately, that’s five opportunities squandered and were unable to reach the endzone. On the flip side, Dicker was five-for-five on field goal attempts, which included a 59-yarder in the second quarter. He’s now 15-for-16 on FG tries this season and has proven to be worth every penny of the $22 million extension that he signed back in August.
