When an NFL game has trouble finding any rhythm whatsoever due to penalty upon penalty (and a couple of turnovers by each team, for good measure), good performances can sometimes get lost in the shuffle. Sunday’s game in Detroit is the perfect example. But a few of the Chargers did have a pretty impressive day.
3 Standout Performances For The Chargers Against The Lions
RB – Austin Ekeler
At this early stage of the season, it would appear that rumors of the death of the Chargers’ running game due to the ongoing holdout of Melvin Gordon have been greatly exaggerated.
After starting the season against Indy with a 3-touchdown day, Ekeler continued his strong start to the season with another impressive, balanced game, with 17 carries for 66 yards and a touchdown coupled with six receptions for 67 yards. It was not all sunshine and lollipops, however, as a goal-line fumble early in the second half dampened what was a solid day. All told, Ekeler’s performance in Detroit was an all-around gem.
WR – Keenan Allen
Like Ekeler, Allen built upon a great season-opening performance with a workman-like day against Detroit. The Bolts’ go-to guy finished the day with eight catches for 98 yards. All this while being shadowed for most of the day by Lions shutdown corner Darius Slay. But the one stat that best shows the problems Detroit had with Allen is that the L.A. wideout drew three penalties on Slay in the process.
LB – Thomas Davis
After two games, Davis leads the league in tackles. To still be able to be the ball-hawking linebacker he is at 36 years-old is nothing short of remarkable. Davis was seemingly everywhere at Ford Field on Sunday, racking up 12 tackles (after collecting 14 in the season opener) while keying a defense that held Lions stud RB Kerryon Johnson to 41 yards rushing on 12 attempts. It remains to be seen if Davis can maintain this level of play for 16 games, especially at his (in football parlance) advanced age. But if Sunday is any indication at all, this might end up being a career year for Old Man Davis.