The injury riddled Los Angeles Chargers have had to fight and grind through victories while they try to

overcome the plethora of injuries suffered this season. The emotional toll was on display in the Chargers

come-from-behind 20-17 road victory over the Atlanta Falcons. A 37-yard field goal by recently signed

kicker Cameron Dicker gave the Chargers a much-needed win in their fight to make the playoffs.

After Dicker’s kick went through the uprights, the Chargers celebrated as if they had just won a

playoff game. The win was that significant and that emotional. The Chargers are playing without their

two starting wide receivers, both out with injuries. Wide receiver Jalen Guyton is out for the season with

an ACL knee injury. Tight end Donald Parham is on the injured reserve with a hamstring pull.

Pro bowl left tackle Rashawn Slater is on the injured reserve. During the game, right tackle Trey

Pipkins left the game with a knee injury. Quarterback Justin Herbert has been playing through a cracked

rib cartilage. On the defensive side of the ball, defensive tackle Austin Johnson left with an injury and is

done for the season. He suffered an MCL sprain and fracture to his left knee.

The Chargers had already lost pro bowl cornerback J.C. Jackson to a season ending knee injury and

pro bowl linebacker Joey Bosa to a groin injury. Dicker was brought in last Thursday to replace injured

kicker Dustin Hopkins. He also connected on a 31-yard field goal with 5:27 left in the game to tie the

score at 17-17. The victory for the Chargers improved their record to 5-3 for the season. The Falcons fell

to 4-5 for the season.

Charger head coach Brandon Staley talked about the emotions of the game in his Monday press

conference. “I thought, in the fourth quarter, we had our best stuff,” said Staley. “We fell behind early,

but we were able to stay calm. I felt like our team really did not flinch after that start. Then, just really

got back on track in that second quarter. I really felt like we finished the game, and that’s always what

you want, no matter who is playing, is that you finished the game well.”

Herbert moved in the pocket better and outside the pocket than at any time since his injury in Week

2. That helped the offense. Staley talked about the importance of that in his press conference. “You

change the math when you can move your legs”, Staley said. “Now, it’s 11-on-11.”

Dicker was named the AFC special teams’ player of the week. Wide receiver Michael Bandy came off

the practice squad to catch five passes from Herbert. The Chargers got contributions from everyone, and

they will need more this Sunday when they take on the 49ers on Sunday Night football. The game will be

played in San Francisco, starting at 5:20 PM and will be televised nationally on NBC.

The NFL also announced that the game scheduled for Sunday, November 20 th with the Kansas City

Chiefs, has been moved to Sunday Night. It will start at 5:20 PM and will also be televised nationally on

NBC.