Cardinals 17, Chargers 15: 5 observations on defense, special teams

It wasn't always pretty, but the Arizona Cardinals played defense and special teams when needed and the result was a 17-15 victory, their second straight victory by a point after going 2-7 since Jonathan Gannon became head coach.

Ground the run

Chargers running back JK Dobbins came into the game with 438 yards on 81 carries (5.4 average), three touchdowns and 87.6 yards per game. After gaining 11 yards on his first two attempts, it looked like it was going to be a long night.

However, he only had 29 yards on 12 carries for the remainder of the game, finishing 14 of 40. Ten of his attempts were two yards or less, for a total of 12 yards.

Along with Kimani Vidal and Hassan Haskins, the Chargers' backs totaled 52 yards on 19 carries (2.7 average).

The Chargers had 20 called runs and 44 pass plays in the game.

When asked about the success of the run defense, Gannon said on the postgame radio show: “Hats off to the players.” Attention to detail, alignment, assignment, key technique and violence. I thought we controlled the attack line. The edge players set violent edges and there were setbacks in the running game. We build a wall and the boys hit the ball, man. They come out of the blocks, hit the ball and attack well.”

Cornerback Garrett Williams sounded like Gannon when he said on the postgame radio show, “It was the trust the coaches and players had in each other.” The last few weeks the coaching staff has really talked about us trying to keep it simple, and that the guys in defense only concentrate on our alignment, our tasks and our key technique.

“We saw today that the guys are doing their job and if everyone just does their job and doesn’t try to be a superhero, then somehow everything works out well.”

Where is the end zone?

The Chargers are still looking for it.

Although quarterback Justin Herbert completed 27 of 39 passes for 349 yards, the Chargers only reached the red zone once and that outing resulted in one of their five field goals. That possession ended at the 10-yard line.

Kicker Cameron Dicker made field goals of 28, 40, 47, 50 and 59 yards on the last play from scrimmage in the non-red zone trips at the Cardinals' 22, 29, 32 and 41 yard lines.

The total on third down was 6:14, but on those field goals, third downs were missed twice with 4, 8, 9 and 10 yards to go. One of those 10-yarders was a spike at the end of the first half to stop the clock for a 50-yard kick.

The most crucial 4-yarder came from the 22-yard line with 2:02 remaining in the game when cornerback Max Melton made contact with wide receiver Simi Fehoko at the 13-yard line with the ball in the air. A flag waved, but referees quickly determined the pass was uncatchable because it landed three feet deep in the end zone.

Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said: “I saw a receiver get pinned and wrapped up. They made the unassailable mark. We did a double whammy and he was grabbed. I’ll let them explain how they ran this piece.”

In a pool report, referee Clete Blakeman said the officials came together and said the pass was uncatchable, but then he completely misspoke when asked: “Initially the flag was thrown because there was illegal contact or pass interference would have given, but then “it was considered uncatchable” and said: “Right.”

The problem is that illegal contact occurs before the ball is thrown, so an uncatchable decision wouldn't matter in this case.

Big defensive plays with one from James Conner

At the start of the game there were two crucial moves.

After intercepting a pass from Kyler Murray on the game's first possession, defensive lineman Teair Tart ran four yards before running back James Conner knocked the ball out from behind and wide receiver Michael Wilson recovered at the Cardinals' 28-yard line.

The Cardinals made a three-and-out, but a 54-yard punt by Blake Gillikin flipped field position and the Chargers started at their own 12-yard line.

They then went 85 yards in six plays, with the final 42 coming on a Herbert pass to a wide-open Jalen Reagor. However, star cornerback Thomas V refused to give up the play, and when Reagor moved inside the 5-yard line, Thomas released the ball and it bounced through the end zone for a touchback.

Thomas said: “It kind of set the tone for the defense because they knew we were coming to play no matter what. “We have a next-play mentality and we don't stop at anything. At every performance we fought until the end and never gave up.”

Conner said: “I just think it comes down to effort and energy, and our team playing with great effort and energy.” It happened very early on, but we developed the “swing first” attitude. To make sure he made the interception, he left it a little loose. I just tried to make a play so we could keep the ball.”

He joked, “I have a little linebacker in me from back then too.”

Gannon simply said, “These guys, man, they care, they’re there and they want to win.”

Hurt by the tight ends

Herbert played without wide receiver Quentin Johnston and DJ Chark Jr. was still on injured reserve and spread the ball around, even to his tight ends, while Hayden Hurst was inactive.

Fourteen of his 37 scores, 10 of his 27 completions and 119 of his 349 yards came to tight ends: Will Dissly (8-81 on 11 targets), Stone Smartt (one target and one reception for 31 yards) and Eric Tomlinson (one). target and a catch for seven yards).

Ryland, the hero…again

For the second time in three games, kicker Chad Ryland scored the winning goal.

Against San Francisco, it was a 35-yarder with 1:37 to play in a 24-23 win, and on Monday night it was 32 yards as time expired.

The calm Ryland said of the game winner: “Same pre-kick routine as always. Go out, we'll take our line. I obviously felt pretty good hitting the ball inside on the turf, then just good contact and the ball usually goes where we want it.”

Of his time with the Cardinals, Ryland said: “I think it’s a blessing, it really is. I'm very lucky to be surrounded by good people here and I really enjoy kicking. I have a lot of joy. I thank God and give Him all the glory because there were certainly some lows after coming back from New England and everything that happened last year. I like to trust my faith and it got me out of it.

“It’s really fun to be in a place where the guys are attacking in a positive way every day. The coaching staff is responding positively. We’re really moving in the right direction and it’s fun to be a part of it.”

When asked what he thought when Ryland lined up for the potential winner, Williams said: “Chad, he’s been super locked in since he got here. He works on his body, he does all the little things right. He makes his kicks in training, he makes his kicks in the game. So if you see him in this situation, it's honestly nothing to worry about. There is no doubt in anyone's mind. Everyone on the sideline was smiling as he walked out before he even started.”

Gannon simply said, “I had complete confidence in Chad.”

Gillikin had another consistent effort with all four inside the 20, including a fall at the 1-yard line from Joey Blount, who was standing there waiting for the ball to bounce to him. The other starting points were the 10, 11 and 12 yard lines. Gillikin had the same gross and net average of 44.5.

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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: Cardinals 17, Chargers 15: 5 observations on defense, special teams