LA Chargers: The great, good and ugly in win vs. Washington Football Team

For the third season in a row, the LA Chargers have walked away victorious in Week 1 to start the season on the right foot. This team feels different, though, as it is a dawn of a new era with Brandon Staley and Justin Herbert.

It was a stressful game (as it true with most Charger games) but at the end of the day, the Chargers were able to capitalize on a terrible decision to punt by Washington in the fourth quarter.

Any readers of Bolt Beat from last season know what is coming with a win. For those that are new here (hello!) welcome to the great, good and ugly of the win over the Washington Football Team.

The great from the LA Chargers win:

Justin Herbert

Justin Herbert was exceptional. Pundits who were predicting a sophomore slump for the 2020 Offensive Rookie of the Year have to be furious with the way that he carved up one of the best young defenses in the league.

The Chargers may have only scored 20 but they easily could have scored more with better red zone luck. Herbert completed 31 of 47 passes for 338 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

If it was not for a terrible fumble call and the fact that the Chargers kneed in their last red-zone trip then he could have had three touchdowns.

The offensive line (for the most part)

There was a sore spot on the offensive line (we will get to that later) but for the most part, this was an offensive line that really held up against an extremely talented Washington pass rush.

No offensive line is going to be perfect but this O-line feels perfect after how bad last year was.

Keenan Allen

Nine catches, 101 yards. Was virtually wide-open every time the Chargers needed him to be on a big third down. He was Keenan Allen in this game, which is great.