Chargers get pushed around by Giants

Here’s a full recap of Chargers @ Giants (Week 4, 2025), with key plays, injury notes, and an analysis of why the Chargers didn’t lean more into the run game—even though the running attack showed life.

Chargers just looked sloppy

• Final Score: Giants 21, Chargers 18
• The Giants got their first win of the season by upsetting the previously unbeaten Chargers.
• Rookie QB Jaxson Dart made his first NFL start and delivered with a rushing TD and a passing TD.
• Chargers’ offense had flashes, especially in the run game, but were undone by 2 INT’s by Justin Herbert and untimely Giants defensive plays.
• The Giants’ defense made big plays when needed—most notably an interception by Dru Phillips returned 56 yards to set up scoring.

Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart ran for a 15-yard touchdown on the opening drive of his first career start and the New York Giants earned a 21-18 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers in East Rutherford, N.J on Sunday. Dart was 13-of-20 passing for 111 yards and another touchdown as the Giants (1-3) won for the first time after turning away from veteran QB Russell Wilson, who started the first three games. Dart added 54 yards rushing, while rookie Cam Skattebo added 79 yards on the ground.

Justin Herbert completed 23 of 41 passes for a season-low 203 yards and two interceptions for the Chargers. His two picks came after he recorded just one over the first three games of the season and led to 11 points. Rookie running back Omarion Hampton ran for 128 yards and scored a touchdown for Los Angeles (3-1).

Both teams lost an important player to injuries during the game. Giants standout receiver Malik Nabers left the game with a knee injury that is reportedly feared to be a torn ACL. Chargers left tackle Joe Alt, who moved from right tackle to replace Rashawn Slater after his season-ending injury during training camp, left the game with a high ankle sprain, according to reports.

Key Players & Stats

• Justin Herbert (Chargers QB): 23 of 41 passing, ~203 yards, 2 interceptions
• Omarion Hampton (Chargers RB): 128 rushing yards on 12 carries, including a 54-yard TD run
• Jaxson Dart (Giants QB): 13 of 20 for 111 yards & a TD pass, plus 10 rushes for 54 yards and a rushing TD
• Dru Phillips (Giants DB): Intercepted Herbert and returned it 56 yards to set up a key score
• Giants Defensive Pressure: The rushers got to Herbert often—Abdul Carter, Brian Burns, and Kayvon Thibodeaux combined for heavy pressure and sacks

Injury Report & Impact

Chargers

• Joe Alt (LT): Suffered a high ankle sprain in the first half and was carted off. He did not return.
• The team already was without Pro Bowl tackle Rashawn Slater, out for season with a knee injury.
• Mekhi Becton was listed as out with a concussion (per the Chargers’ injury listing)

These OL injuries put tremendous strain on pass protection and perhaps influenced play-calling. Losing Alt midgame surely affected the Chargers’ capacity to commit to run or protect deep passes.

Giants

• Malik Nabers (WR): Carted off in the second quarter with a serious knee injury, reportedly a torn ACL.
• Jaxson Dart: Had a hamstring issue in the first half and was seen stretching and limping. He also underwent a brief concussion evaluation but returned.

The Giants lost a key offensive weapon, which may have shifted their offensive balance, but their defense stood firm.

Why Didn’t Chargers Run More?

This question makes sense—Hampton’s 128 yards showed that the run game was working in spots. So why didn’t LA lean on it more? A few factors likely played a role:

1. Game Script & Deficit Chasing
   After falling behind early, the Chargers had to pass more to catch up. When a team is trailing, there’s pressure to move the chains quickly, which often tilts toward passing calls.
2. Offensive Line Disruption / Injuries
   With Joe Alt leaving and Slater already out, the offensive line was compromised. Running plays require sustained blocking and pushing the line of scrimmage. As the OL got shuffled and hampered by injuries, trusting the run becomes riskier.
3. Defensive Focus & Adjustments
   The Giants run defense gave up some big plays (e.g. Hampton’s TD), but they likely adjusted as the game progressed. Also, defenses may have started cheating up to stop the run, forcing LA to throw into tighter windows.
4. Turnovers Forcing Aggression
   The two interceptions by Herbert were costly. After those, there’s even more incentive to attack via the pass, trying to generate chunks and overcome deficits. Conservative run-heavy play-calling becomes less attractive when every possession matters.
5. Play Design / Scheme Tendencies
   Chargers’ offensive philosophy might lean toward being pass-first given Herbert’s strengths. When a QB is a strong passer, coaches may default to pass sets more often, unless the run is overwhelmingly dominant. Hampton’s big gain was encouraging, but unless there’s consistent success on shorter runs, coaches may be reluctant to adjust midgame.

Summary & Takeaways

• The Giants edged out the Chargers 21–18, handing them their first loss of the season.
• Brighton’s defense made key plays (Phillips’ INT, Lawrence’s tipped interception), and Giants QB Jaxson Dart delivered in his first start.
• Chargers showed promise in the run game—Hampton’s 128 yards, including a 54-yard TD—but it wasn’t enough given injuries on the offensive line and the pressure from the pass rush.
• The loss of Joe Alt at left tackle midgame loomed large; with that and prior injuries, pass protection became a serious weakness.
• In sum, the Chargers had tools to run, but circumstances (score, injuries, turnovers, scheme) pushed them into heavier reliance on the pass, which ultimately backfired in this one.