Los Angeles Chargers showed plenty of promise in a 36-7 loss

The New Orleans Saints may have defeated the Los Angeles Chargers pretty soundly but the Charger defense still looked promising.

The Los Angeles Chargers were unable to walk away with a preseason week 3 victory against the New Orleans Saints and instead was handed a 36-7 loss.

Los Angeles’ only score came from the first unit, which actually started the game pretty promising offensively. The Chargers marched downfield in the first drive before failing to convert a fourth and goal opportunity.

In the next drive, the Chargers scored the team’s only points of the game as Detrez Newsome found the end zone on a five-yard run. The Chargers led 7-0 and looked to be outclassing the Saints; that was until Philip Rivers stopped playing.

New Orleans then responded with a touchdown in three consecutive drives and the Chargers failed to score the rest of the day with the second unit in. While a loss is never welcomed, Charger fans can at least take comfort in knowing that the second unit was outclassed on Saturday, not the first unit.

Los Angeles looked great defensively in the beginning as well. And while that started to teeter off as more second unit guys hit the defense, the two drives were very promising and showcased what this defense is capable of.

The biggest play of the game for the Chargers, at least when it comes to roster implications, was a Derwin James interception that came three plays in. While James most likely already had the starting job secured, this essentially guaranteed it as he showed as good he already is as a rookie.

The next defensive stop was promising as well as the Chargers forced the Saints to a three-and-out. While the high-profile offense did eventually get rolling, completely shutting Drew Brees and company down for two straight drives is a great sign.

There were also other performances by certain defenders that will bode well for the Los Angeles Chargers.

Uchenna Nwosu stepped up at left end with Joey Bosa nursing a foot injury and recorded a sack — showing us that he could be a nice addition to an already great pass-rush.

Desmond King led the team with six tackles and is proving that his rookie season was not a fluke and he will be productive yet again in the secondary.

Overall, a 29-point loss really should not produce as many positives as it did for the Los Angeles Chargers. However, the Los Angeles Chargers’ first unit looks ready for the regular season both offensively and defensively.