INDIANAPOLIS – The Los Angeles Chargers attempted to keep their post-game playoff celebration private.
No such luck. After shaking hands and leaving the field in Indianapolis, the players jogged through a tunnel to blaring music, high-fives and hugs, entering a locker room scene for many of these Chargers for the first time — a playoff party.
Austin Ekeler scored on two one-yard runs and Los Angeles secured its first postseason spot since 2018. Intercept Nick Foles three times to beat the overwhelmed Colts 20-3 on Monday night.
“We’re in, now let’s win!” one player shouted before reporters were allowed into the dressing room.
At the party, second-year coach Brandon Staley presented a cue ball to owner Dean Spanos, whose organization earned its second-place finish in the playoffs since 2014, a little less than a year after a brutal overtime loss in Las Vegas in the last game last season, which held LA out of the postseason.
Justin Herbert threw for 235 yards and Cameron Dicker scored two short field goals for the Chargers (9-6), who won their third straight win after enlisting the help of Las Vegas, Miami, New England and the New York Jets this weekend had received. When all four lost, the Chargers simply needed a win to earn a playoff spot, and they did their part.
“It’s been a while,” receiver Keenan Allen said after catching 11 passes for 104 yards, his sixth straight 100-yard game on the road. “The playoffs are never guaranteed, so coming in feels good. Now the season begins.”
Indy (4-10-1) lost its fifth straight loss under interim coach Jeff Saturday, although that was a heavier loss than the previous two as it gave up 33 points to Dallas in the fourth quarter and blew a 33-0 half Leadership in Minnesota.
Foles, making his first Colts start, squandered two scoring chances in the first quarter by throwing picks, was sacked seven times and went 0-10 in third.
As usual, however, Indy’s third starting quarterback of the season was only part of the problem.
“We started, thought we had a couple of shots early on, but obviously you hurt the turnovers and stopped you from going forward,” Saturday said. “We ran the ball well but when it’s second and 14th it’s hard to catch up. I thought we ran the ball effectively but couldn’t keep it up.”
Herbert also struggled early up Ekeler scored the first points of the game with its short TD run midway through the second quarter.
The Colts used two personal foul calls that resulted in the ejection of Pro Bowl safetyman Derwin James to drive for their only result of the game. a 46-yard field goal by Chase McLaughlin.
But that was it for the Colts. Dicker’s two shots made it 13:3, Ekeler’s second shot on target sealed the win.
Ekeler had 18 carries for 67 yards, became the fourth player in 15 years to have at least 15 TDs in consecutive seasons, and needs another catch to record the sixth 100-catch season by a running back in league history .
While Herbert hit 24 of 31 and ended his three-game streak of 300-yard plays, the numbers didn’t matter. Victory did.
“It was tough losing to the Raiders at the end (last year),” Herbert said. “The boys in that dressing room deserve it. So it will be exciting to have this opportunity.”
Foles was 17 of 29 for 143 yards and threw his last interception in the third quarter. The post-season Super Bowl MVP with Philadelphia was sacked seven times in his first NFL start since Dec. 26, 2021 with Chicago.
FUTURE PLANS
The Colts have already fired offensive coordinator Marcus Brady and coach Frank Reich, and twice benched quarterback Matt Ryan. Ryan was inactive behind Foles and backup Sam Ehlinger on Monday night.
Team owner Jim Irsay spoke about the future of his organization during an interview that aired on ESPN’s pregame show. Irsay said Saturday is a candidate to keep the job next season.
“I’m going to keep an open mind and look for the best direction in which we can win,” Irsay said. “I think Jeff is an excellent candidate, so obviously he’s competitive for that. Chris Ballard will be our general manager and quarterback, it’s very up in the air right now where we’re going.
SHORT RETURNS
James returned after missing two games with a quadriceps injury, but he didn’t even make it through the first half.
Two plays after being called out for a face mask when Michael Pittman Jr.’s helmet came off, James was flagged for hitting a defenseless receiver with the crown of his helmet and was ejected at 5:18 to play. The hit sent Colts receiver Ashton Dulin into the dressing room, and Dulin was eventually ruled out with a concussion.
Staley said James also entered the concussion log, adding that the helmet-to-helmet hit was unintentional.
“He made an aggressive play, but he didn’t bet on the helmet on purpose,” Staley said.
NEXT
Chargers: Return home to face off against the Rams in Sunday’s Battle of Los Angeles.
Colts: Finish off your schedule with a New Year’s trip to see the New York Giants.
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