Austin Ekeler and the Los Angeles Chargers pulled off a 30-24 overtime win over the visiting Indianapolis Colts in Week 1.
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Final Score
Los Angeles Chargers 30, Indianapolis Colts 24
Los Angeles Chargers
Melvin Ingram ended the Colts' first drive with a sack beating Mark Glowinski outside. Ingram provided a productive pass-rush presence throughout the game.
Joey Bosa beat right tackle Braden Smith outside for a third-quarter sack of Jacoby Brissett. Bosa was also effective in run defense.
Austin Ekeler showed that the offense is in good hands without Melvin Gordon, showcasing his signature receiving ability while mixing in strong runs and accounting for three touchdowns, including the game-ending score in overtime.
Trent Scott struggled mightily at left tackle in Russell Okung‘s absence, as did the Chargers' offensive line as a unit. They did a poor job of passing off stunts, and Dan Feeney failed to show much improvement from his poor 2018 season.
Rookie Takeaways
Jerry Tillery had a quiet game in limited action. He wasn't a liability in any phase, but he left a lot to be desired in his debut.
Indianapolis Colts
Jacoby Brissett looked solid in his first game as the unquestioned starting quarterback. He threw a touchdown to T.Y. Hilton on a short pass in between two defenders in the first half. Brissett moved the ball effectively in the Colts' two-minute offense, but the drive ended with a missed field goal. Brissett also led a clock-draining fourth quarter game-tying touchdown drive which sent the game to overtime.
The seasoned veteran and normally reliable Adam Vinatieri was unusually inaccurate against the Chargers. He pushed an extra point wide right and then missed a 46-yard field goal attempt late in the first half by hooking it too far to the left. Vinatieri also missed a 29-yarder in the fourth quarter wide to the left. Marlon Mack started to gain steam and produce longer runs in the third quarter, including a 63-yard touchdown run that saw him outrun the Chargers' defense down the left sideline.
Malik Hooker showcased the elite instincts and closing speed that made him a first-round draft pick with an excellent one-handed interception, where he closed on the ball like a bolt of lightning.
New addition Justin Houston dominated Chargers' right tackle Sam Tevi all day long, consistently winning with power and speed around the edge. On the flip side, second-year linebacker Darius Leonard started off the season a bit shaky.
Rookie Takeaways
Rookie TCU product Ben Banogu struggled in his debut. He made little impact as both a pass-rusher and run defender.
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