Chargers-Cardinals live game recap: Justin Herbert and Bolts ready for first primetime game

It wouldn't have taken a long-time Chargers fan the first five games of the season to understand and feel the difference with this team. They play a strong and fundamentally solid defense coupled with a ball control offense to shorten the clock.

But Monday night against the Cardinals? Select one of the last four years. This performance was like any other frustrating loss, the fingers of which could be pointed at anyone not named Justin Herbert.

The defense couldn't beat Cardinals running back James Connor. As a team, Arizona rushed for 181 yards against one of the NFL's best run defenses. On the other hand, the Chargers couldn't run the ball against the 30th-ranked unit that was on the floor.

Herbert had to throw the ball 39 times. With 349, he surpassed his previous season high in passing yards. The rushing attack averaged 2.7 yards per carry and totaled 59 yards on 22 attempts.

For the most part, these were the Chargers of old, just with a better defense that limited points more than in previous seasons. But when it mattered most, with the Chargers up 15-14 with 1:54 left, the defense couldn't be stopped. A non-existent, unnecessary roughness penalty, followed by a play in which Connor ran through half defense into game-winning field goal range, ended this game.

We've all seen this many times, but it never gets easier.

There is a lot to repair. The Chargers will regroup and prepare for a home game with the Saints this Sunday.

A full quarterly recap of today's game can be found below.

First quarter

The Chargers won the toss and elected to defer. The defense was first.

On the first drive, Khalil Mack caused disruption early when he got his hands on several passes from Kyler Murray. He deflected the second ball right into the arms of defensive tackle Teair Tart, who tried to return the interception, but Arizona running back James Connor knocked it out before the Cardinals used it again to get the ball right back.

Luckily, the Chargers forced a three-and-out from there, thanks to Khalil Mack's immediate pressure on third down, which forced a throw from Murray.

The Chargers got off to a quiet start, picking up little pieces from the field with some strong runs from JK Dobbins and some simple pitch-and-catch passes to tight end Will Dissly. Around the midfield logo, Herbert faked a handoff before launching a pass down the left sideline to a wide-open Jalen Reagor. The newly signed Bolt took two steps before a Cardinals defender knocked the ball out of his hands before it bounced into the arms of another Cardinal.

Despite only having one offensive possession, the Chargers have already lost two fumbles.

Second quarter

The Chargers were ahead at the end of the first period and pushed the ball a little past midfield before the offense stalled. Cameron Dicker was trusted to attempt a massive 59-yard kick, and he was fully capable of giving Los Angeles a 3-0 lead.

Arizona responded with a very impressive drive led by Connor and the ground game. After reaching the five-yard line, Murray dropped back and made a quick throw to widen Greg Dortch on speed out. He beat slot corner Ja'Sir Taylor to give the Cardinals a 7-3 lead.

The Chargers began their final drive of the second quarter at their 10-yard line for the third time in the first half. Herbert connected with Joshua Palmer on two great plays that helped them move the ball even though there was only one timeout left. The Chargers got well within field goal range, but a sack by Herbert with less than 30 seconds left forced them to go from a potential field goal to a mere loss of time before Dicker came on to cut Arizona's lead as expiration expired to shorten the time to 7-6.

Third quarter

The Chargers had a promising performance early in the second half, but Rashawn Slater quickly halted their efforts. The penalty was followed by a drop by Ladd McConkey and another sack on Herbert that pushed them out of field goal range. Luckily, JK Scott was able to hold Arizona at its own seven-yard line.

Arizona once again moved the ball well behind Connor. When faced with a third-and-short, the Cardinals attempted a quarterback sneak. When the first attempt didn't work, they tried again on the fourth attempt. The Chargers defense stood firm and forced a turnover on downs.

After reaching the Cardinals' 15-yard line, the Chargers' offense stalled and stalled when Herbert was sacked for the third time. They settled for another field goal that gave them the lead 9-7.

Fourth quarter

On the second play of the quarter, Murray dropped back, escaped the pocket to the left and then ran untouched up the left sideline for a 44-yard touchdown to take the lead straight from the Chargers, 14-9.

Needing an answer, the Bolts moved 41 yards in six plays but fell short at Arizona. Dicker was good from 47 yards and made it 14:12, just over 12 minutes before the end of regulation time.

The Chargers got the ball back at their own one-yard line with 10:06 on the clock. Herbert led them on a 15-play, 77-yard drive that began more than eight minutes before the lockout. In the end, Dicker converted his fifth field goal and gave the Chargers a 15:14 lead.

With a little less than two minutes left, the Cardinals went to work.

On a pass to Marvin Harrison Jr. near the right sideline, the rookie failed to make the reception, but the Cardinals were bailed out with an unnecessary roughness penalty on Cam Hart, whose helmet grazed Harrison's helmet upon contact. The penalty gave Arizona 15 yards and another set of downs.

Connor then took a short pass from Murray 33 yards en route to numerous Chargers defenders missing. From then on, all they had to do was kneel the ball before kicking the game-winning field goal.

Chargers fell 17-15 on the road.