For the second consecutive preseason game, the youngsters on the Chargers defense came to play.

Undrafted free agent cornerback Eric Rogers registered his first and second professional interceptions, the first of which he returned for an electric pick-six. Edge rusher Caleb Murphy also notched a pair of sacks and may as well have punched his ticket to the final roster this year as the team’s fifth pass rusher.

Overall it was another strong defensive effort that helped the Chargers hold New Orleans to just 13 points in their 27-10 decision on Sunday afternoon.

Veteran Taylor Heinicke started the game for the Chargers but struggled mightily as he complete 1-of-5 passes for only eight yards before Trey Lance took over. The former third-overall pick finished 7-of-14 for 55 yards, but also chipped in 48 rushing yards and a score on seven carries. As a team, the Bolts rushed for 148 yards on 34 carries (4.4 average) and two scores, the second coming from UDFA Raheim “Rocket” Sanders who took 10 carries for 42 yards on the day.

On a cold outing for the receivers, it was Dalevon Campbell who was the beneficiary of DJ Uiagalelei’s only passes attempt of the game which went for 49 yards in the air. Campbell finished with three receptions for 62 yards, including a two-point try conversion from Lance.

Other standouts on defense were linebacker Marlowe Wax and third-round rookie defensive tackle Jamaree Caldwell. Wax had nine tackles, a tackle for loss, and a sack while Caldwell also found the quarterback to go with four tackles.

The Chargers are back at home — but as the away team — as they face the Rams in their third preseason matchup. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. PT.

The Chargers won the toss and elected to receive. The offense, led by Taylor Heinicke, was up first.

Nyheim Miller-Hines brought the opening kickoff back 33 yards to give the Bolts good starting field position. Both Kimani Vidal and Hassan Haskins received carries, each running strong behind their pads. After crossing the midway point of the field, rookie wideout KeAndre Lambert-Smith dropped a pass over the middle on third down to force a Chargers punt.

The Bolts defense looked uninspired early, but they hunkered down once the Saints got to midfield and forced a New Orleans punt. However, veteran Nyheim Miller-Hines muffed the punt and the Saints recovered at the Los Angeles 12-yard line.

Once again, the defense stood tall when the team needed it, forcing a stop on fourth down thanks to the effort of linebacker Troy Dye who earned a tackle for loss on running back Kendre Miller. The Chargers offense would take over at their own four-yard line.

Near the end of the quarter, the pass protection broke down and Heinicke looked to be sacked in the end zone for a safety. After a review, however, the call was overturned. After a short pass to Haskins on third down, the Bolts punted yet again.

The Chargers defense continued to make splash plays as edge rusher Caleb Murphy recorded his second sack of the first half, stripping
‘ quarterback Spencer Rattler to give the Bolts possession inside Saints territory. Trey Lance entered the game at quarterback but the passing game continued to struggle. The offense would go three-and-out but this time tacked on a Cameron Dicker field goal from 44 yards out.

Lance’s game got better as the second quarter went on and he certainly found his groove via his legs. On the Chargers’ final drive of the first half, Lance scrambled three times for 36 yards, including a five-yard sprint into the end zone for the firs touchdown of the game. After a penalty on the Saints during the PAT, the Chargers handed off to UDFA running back Raheim Sanders on a two-point try but he was stuffed at the line. Nonetheless, the Bolts held a 9-0 lead 1:38 remaining in the half.

Saints rookie quarterback Tyler Shough took over for Rattler and managed to march the team down the field just in time for New Orleans to attempt a chip shot field field goal before time expired. Blake Grupe banged home the kick and the Chargers entered the halftime break with a 9-3 lead.

After both teams traded punts to begin the second half, the Saints took over at their own 38-yard line. On a third-and-six, Shough tried to force the ball to a receiver ear the right sideline, but UDFA cornerback Eric Rogers was able to under cut the pass and make a diving catch, get back on his feet, and take it all the way back for a score. The Chargers sideline absolutely erupted in response to the play which marked their third pick of the preseason. The offense once again went for two and Lance was able to find UDFA wideout Dalevon Campbell on a slant route to push the score to 17-3.

The Saints and Shough responded with a short memory. On first-and-10 from their 46-yard line, Shough saw the Bolts were sending pressure and a great blitz pickup by the running back helped the quarterback find a streaking receiver for a 54-yard score up the left sideline. The Saints converted their PAT attempt and the Chargers lead was minimized to 17-10 halfway through the quarter.

After the defense forced another punt from the Saints, Lance and the offense put together a methodical 12-play drive that took over seven minutes off the clock. Despite falling short of the end zone, Dicker was good from 40 yards out to once again give the Chargers a two-score lead at 20-10 with 4:50 remaining in regulation.

Quarterback Jake Haener stepped in for Shough on the following drive but it took just four plays for the Charges defense to force yet another turnover. After scrambling to his left, Haener attempted to loft a pass over the head of cornerback Eric Rogers, but the rookie made another leaping play for the interception (his second of the day) to help ice the game away.

Now it was time for DJ Uiagalelei to take over at quarterback for the Chargers.

On third-and-five, Uiagalelei uncorked his first pass of the game to Dalevon Campbell who somehow made the catch for a 49-yard gain. One play later, Raheim Sanders bounced a run to the right and outran everyone to the pylon for his first professional touchdown. The score also helped seal the win for the Bolts as it made the score 26-10 with under two minutes to play.