What we learned from the Chargers' win over Indianapolis

Chargers' Rayshawn Jenkins tries to break up a pass to the Colts’ Eric Ebron in the end zone Sunday in Carson.

Staff Writer

Sept. 9, 2019 7:47 AM PT

Here’s what we learned from the Chargers’ 30-24 victory Sunday over Indianapolis:

Austin Ekeler is fully healed

Throughout the second half of last season, Ekeler was beaten up quite noticeably. But he looked like his old electric self Sunday. He scored three touchdowns, rushed 12 times for 58 yards and caught six passes for 96 yards.

“It’s his leverage,” coach Anthony Lynn said of Ekeler’s ability to break tackles. “He plays with outstanding leverage and, like I’ve said before, pound-for-pound, he is the strongest man on our team.”

Ekeler missed two games in December after taking a severe hit to the side of the head on an onside kick. He returned to play in the regular-season finale and both playoff games, but he didn’t quite look the same.

“He has been a playmaker for us over the last three years,” quarterback Philip Rivers said. “I don’t think anybody was surprised with the plays he made [Sunday]. There is something, nobody can see unless you’re out there with him, that it’s just not too big for him.”

The Chargers’ run defense must improve

The Chargers were unable to stop Indianapolis for much of the second half and, most notably, in the final stages of the fourth quarter. A lot of the damage done by the Colts came on the ground as they gained 203 yards on 33 attempts, an average of 6.2 yards.

“We’ve got to stop the run,” Lynn said. “In the first half, we did a good job with that. We knew coming in -- they have said they want to be a top-five rushing team.”

Marlon Mack had 174 yards on 25 carries. It is worth nothing that linebacker Denzel Perryman, one of the Chargers’ top run stoppers, did not play and is being eased back into action because of knee and ankle injuries.

The Chargers’ young offensive line might have a chance

Rivers was sacked four times, but the offensive line did open enough holes for the running game to amass 125 yards on 21 carries, an average of six yards. Nine of the Chargers’ 25 first downs came on the ground. The Chargers also twice converted on third-and-short, something that had been a problem in the preseason.

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Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Drue Tranquill blocks a punt by the Indianapolis Colts’ Rigoberto Sanchez during the second quarter. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Los Angeles Chagers wide receiver Keenan Allen pulls down a touchdown pass in front of Colts cornerback Rock Ya-Sin during the second quarter. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Indianapolis Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton dives for a touchdown past Chargers defenders late in the fourth quarter. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Indianapolis Colts safety Malik Hooker, left, intercepts a Philip Rivers pass intended for Keenan Allen, right, in the end zone during the fourth quarter. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Chargers safety Rayshawn Jenkins can’t stop Colts tight end Eric Ebron from making a catch in the end zone during the fourth quarter. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Chargers running back Austin Ekeler races past Indianapolis Colts defenders on a 55-yard touchdown pass during the third quarter. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Chargers quarterbck Philip Rivers launches a 28-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Keenan Allen during the second quarter against the Indianapolis Colts. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers fumbles the ball as he is hit by Colts defensive end Kemoko Turay during the second half. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Chargers running back Austin Ekeler is hoisted by teammate Dan Feeney after scoring on a 55-yard touchdown pass. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri reacts after missing his third field-goal attempt against the Chargers. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Chargers running back Austin Ekeler scores the winning touchdown on a seven-yard run in overtime in a 30-24 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times)

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Chargers running back Austin Ekeler, right, celebrates with teammate Virgil Green after scoring the winning touchdown in overtime to beat the Indianapolis Colts 30-24. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Left tackle Trent Scott, in his second season and making his first start at the position, was beaten badly twice on one series in the third quarter. Both plays resulted in sacks, the latter also in a fumble, a fumble that Scott fell on. It was a somewhat uneven day, but the Chargers survived to win.

“Credit to the guys up front,” Rivers said. “There were some creases. They did a heck of a job blocking…. None of us played perfect. We all made mistakes, including the big turnover I had. But we all, collectively one through 46, chipped in and found a way.”

The Chargers need a greater killer instinct

They led by 11 at the half and by 15 in the middle of the third quarter, but the Chargers allowed Indianapolis to hang around and force overtime on a day that could have unfolded much more comfortably.

“They were down and I knew they were going to come out fighting,” Lynn said of the Colts in the second half. “We didn’t do a good enough job with getting our guys ready to go because we did not match their tempo or intensity. We’ve got to come out at 0-0 and ‘Let’s win the second half.’ That’s got to be our mindset.”

Indianapolis gained 243 total yards and punted only once after halftime. That punt resulted in a turnover when Desmond King muffed it.

“We gotta keep our foot on the pedal, man, put these guys away when we’ve got them in those situations,” safety Rayshawn Jenkins said. “We have to come out and play at a higher intensity.”

Ty Long’s great day was even greater

Before his first NFL game, the Chargers’ punter was on the field talking with Adam Vinatieri. By the time the day was over, it would have been tough to tell which one was the NFL’s all-time leader in field goals. Ty Long, filling in for the injured Michael Badgley (groin), kicked three extra points and a 40-yard field goal. Vinatieri missed two field goals and an extra point.

“It’s such a surreal moment for me,” Long said. “I remember being 10 years old watching him hit the game-winning kick in the Super Bowl. I’m over here chopping it up with this dude before the game. It was a really cool moment.”