Chargers-Colts score, takeaways: Justin Herbert shines, Nick Foles flops as Los Angeles clinches playoff berth

Los Angeles can wrap up a playoff spot in the AFC with a win

Everything was setting up for the Chargers to stumble over themselves once again. With an opportunity to clinch a playoff berth Monday night against the reeling Colts, Los Angeles barely managed a touchdown lead deep into Week 16's prime-time finale. Star safety Derwin James got ejected early due to an illegal hit. And quarterback Justin Herbert fumbled the ball away to give Indianapolis momentum going into the final quarter. No matter. Because Nick Foles' debut as the Colts' latest fill-in QB went about as poorly as possible. Feasting up front and getting just enough Herbert production down the stretch, Brandon Staley's AFC West contender left Lucas Oil Stadium with a 20-3 victory and, more importantly, that coveted ticket to the postseason.

Falling to 4-10-1 with their fifth straight loss under interim coach Jeff Saturday, the Colts kept things close for a while, but ultimately were no match for L.A., which never trailed in the contest.

Here are some additional takeaways from Monday night's Chargers victory:

Why the Chargers won

They have someone who can throw the ball. On a night where Indy may have spoiled L.A.'s chance at a playoff berth if not for their third-string QB playing hero ball behind a shoddy O-line from the first snap, the Chargers got the "W" because their own signal-caller, Justin Herbert, delivered on just enough downfield strikes. Austin Ekeler was vital once again, albeit not consistently on the ground, so it was Herbert's laser that saved the day, feeding Keenan Allen (11 catches, 104 yards) to keep L.A. knocking at the door. Brandon Staley's defense was just as, if not more, important, steadily getting after Nick Foles and playing opportunistic ball in the secondary even after losing star safety Derwin James to a first-half ejection. Six different players logged a sack by night's end, while the corner duo of Asante Samuel Jr. and Michael Davis had their way.

Why the Colts lost

The offensive line was once again iffy, surrendering seven sacks and nine QB hits. But unfortunately nothing doomed them more than Nick Foles, whose big-play mentality was a welcome idea for the Colts' revolving door under center, but whose timing and decision-making was all wonky all night. When he wasn't getting swallowed up by L.A.'s front, Foles was too often chucking it up to unwitting targets out of the gate, gifting the Chargers three picks (and almost more). Matt Ryan or Sam Ehlinger might not have been much better, but they couldn't have been a whole lot worse. It's a shame, too, because the offensive collapse wasted an otherwise stalwart night for Gus Bradley's defense, which played fast and aggressive both up front and on the back end.

Turning point

The Colts hung around, staying within 10 until deep into the game, despite too many turnovers with the ball in their hands. Given a shot to pull even closer, and perhaps even redeem their sloppy offensive night, they lined up to go for it on fourth-and-1 from the Chargers' 12-yard line, kicking off the final quarter. But Nick Foles' QB sneak came up short, with Drue Tranquill stuffing the play, returning the ball to Herbert and Co., who promptly went on a 12-play TD drive to seal the decision.

Play of the game

It would've been even cooler had Keenan Allen stayed in-bounds, but this laser from Herbert on a trick play helped L.A. extend its lead to 10-3 before halftime. It also confirmed that the Chargers QB has one of the best cannons in the game:

What's next

The Chargers (9-6) will return home on New Year's Day to host the Rams (5-10), who blasted the Broncos on Christmas Day, prompting Denver to fire coach Nathaniel Hackett. The Colts (4-10-1), meanwhile, will hit the road for a cross-conference matchup with the Giants (8-6-1), who fell to the Vikings on Saturday but are looking to secure one of the NFC's final wild card spots.

[Dec 26, 2022 at 10:59 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Not sure why you would have the route short of the sticks on fourth-and-9, but at least that throw mercifully ends the pretense that this game isn't already over.

[Dec 26, 2022 at 10:55 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Seven sacks is a lot of sacks.

[Dec 26, 2022 at 10:51 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

So, with this (very likely) win, the Chargers are going to the playoffs for the first time since 2018 -- Philip Rivers' second-to-last season with the team. 

[Dec 26, 2022 at 10:45 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Foles tried to fit that throw into a very tight window on fourth down, and it actually got to Michael Pittman, but there were two defenders right there and they combined to knock it out of his hands.

[Dec 26, 2022 at 10:42 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Joe Buck is openly wondering why Sam Ehlinger isn't in the game instead of Nick Foles, so it's been that kinda night for the Colts.

[Dec 26, 2022 at 10:37 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Ekeler gets down inside the 1-yard line, and then punches it into the end zone on the next play. It's a three-score lead for the Chargers now, and given the way the Colts have played offense, that is almost surely enough to put this one away.

[Dec 26, 2022 at 10:36 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

If the Chargers put any points on the board here (especially a touchdown), this game is likely over. 

[Dec 26, 2022 at 10:31 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Herbert has only targeted Mike Williams three times, but it's been a big play all three times. The Colts are clearly making an effort to take away the downfield element of L.A.'s offense so he hasn't been very involved.

[Dec 26, 2022 at 10:29 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Saturday wanted to challenge the spot of the ball, but just before ESPN cut to commercial, the ref was explaining that they had ruled Foles' forward progress was stopped so the play is not challengeable.

[Dec 26, 2022 at 10:27 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Not the best execution on the new-fangled quarterback sneak. Colts motioned Michael Pittman behind Nick Foles to try to get a push but the offensive line didn't give Foles any room to move forward.

[Dec 26, 2022 at 10:23 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

We head to the fourth quarter with the Chargers holding a 13-3 lead and the Colts facing fourth-and-1 inside the red zone.