“When they last met” is an ongoing series during the NFL season, recalling the preceding game between Washington and the next opponent on the Commanders’ schedule.
Los Angeles 20, Washington 16 Week 1, Sep. 12, 2021
Justin Herbert, opening his second NFL season, passed for 337 yards, leading the Los Angeles Chargers to a 20-16 win over the Washington Football Team at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland.
The second-year QB from the University of Oregon was phenomenal against the Washington defense. Shredding the defense repeatedly, Herbert and the Chargers were an astounding 14 for 19 on third downs. Completing 31 of his 47 passing attempts, Herbert finished the day with 334 net passing yards and a touchdown pass.
Herbert’s first touchdown of the 2021 season came with 11:21 remaining in the game, when he found Mike Williams for a 3-yard score, providing the Chargers with a 20-16 lead. The most unfortunate aspect of the entire game for Washington occurred when running back Antonio Gibson fumbled deep in Washington territory, giving the Chargers a huge gift of the ball at the three-yard line. So, the Chargers only had to go three yards to take the lead in the final quarter.
September 12, 2021
Washington vs LA Chargers#NFL#BoltUp#WashingtonFootball📸: @XXLangstonpic.twitter.com/Tb7l7FvwUH
— DISTRICT LIVE SPORTS LLC (@DistrictLivSprt) September 15, 2021
Washington had taken the lead when Heinicke connected with tight end Logan Thomas for an 11-yard touchdown for a 16-13 lead with 11:20 remaining in the third quarter.
Herbert and the Chargers offense dominated the final quarter. They drove 39 yards, but Herbert then threw his lone interception (William Jackson III). Then the Chargers drove 72 yards, burning the final 6:43 of the game, as the Washington defense simply could not make a stop and get off of the field.
Keenan Allen was unstoppable by the Washington secondary, catching nine passes for 100 yards, while Williams contributed eight receptions for 82 yards. The Chargers having the ball for for 36:03, Washington only had possession 23:57 so their offensive numbers were not nearly as high as the Chargers. Heinicke completed 11 of 15 for 122 yards and a touchdown. While Gibson rushed for 90 yards on his 20 carries, and Terry McLaurin caught four passes on four targets for 62 yards.
Washington starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick was injured on his sixth pass attempt in the first half, injuring his hip and being lost for the remainder of the game. The injury was bad enough, that Fitzpatrick’s career was ended. Heinicke replaced Fitzpatrick for the remainder of the game and started the remaining 16 games of the 2021 season.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: What happened last time they faced the Chargers
