Ladd McConkey showcased his versatility as a receiver in the Los Angeles Chargers’ 26-8 victory over the New Orleans Saints, marking a significant step in his NFL career. The former University of Georgia standout, who had primarily played short and intermediate routes in his first seven games, excelled Sunday with two touchdown catches, including a remarkable 60-yard touchdown in the third quarter. This performance made him the first rookie receiver for the Chargers in 11 years to achieve over 100 receiving yards in a game, finishing with six receptions for 111 yards.
“I think it’s pretty cool, so hopefully I can do it again,” McConkey said, clearly excited about his contributions. “Any time you get in the end zone, it’s a big deal, so I’m just glad I was able to help the team today.”
McConkey’s emergence has been significant for rookie quarterback Justin Herbert, who is adjusting to life without veterans Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. Herbert praised McConkey’s well-rounded skill set, highlighting his ability to play in various positions and effectively execute both short and deep routes.
In addition to McConkey’s contributions, Herbert had an impressive day overall, accumulating 328 total yards—279 passing and 48 rushing—along with two touchdown passes, helping the Chargers improve to 4-3 on the season following a narrow loss to Arizona the previous week.
The Saints, struggling with a six-game losing streak—their longest since 2005—are under increased pressure as head coach Dennis Allen faces criticism amid an 18-24 record in his third year. “We all understand that it’s a results-oriented business, and we need to play better football,” Allen remarked.
Alvin Kamara, who recently signed a two-year contract extension, led the Saints with 122 total yards, while Chris Olave added eight catches for 107 yards. Quarterback Spencer Rattler struggled during his third consecutive start, throwing for 156 yards before being replaced by Jake Haener, who completed nine of 17 passes for 122 yards.
The Saints got on the scoreboard first with a safety in the first quarter after Chargers punter JK Scott mishandled a snap, and they added two field goals later, but failed to reach the red zone throughout the game.
McConkey’s impressive third-quarter touchdown, which increased the Chargers’ lead to 16-5, highlighted his playmaking ability. After catching a pass near the sideline, he reversed direction, navigating past defenders to score.
The Chargers secured a final touchdown with just over three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter when Herbert scrambled and found McConkey in the end zone again.
After a slow start, Herbert managed to put together an offensive drive that included a 38-yard run, which helped set the tone for Los Angeles, leading to two field goals to gain an early advantage.
In an interesting milestone, Chargers fullback and defensive tackle Scott Matlock became the first NFL player since 2019 to record both a reception and a sack in the same game.
In terms of injuries, the Saints faced several setbacks, with multiple players leaving the game with injuries. The Chargers also dealt with an aggravated hamstring injury to cornerback Kristian Fulton.
Looking ahead, the Saints will face the Carolina Panthers next Sunday, while the Chargers will travel to take on the Cleveland Browns.