Bolts Back with a Vengeance
October 24, 2025
“A good plan executed with violence now is better than a perfect plan a week from now. You guys were violent and came out here and you were the physical team.”, Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh would go on further to praise the violence and intensity of his team following their 37-10 beat down over the Vikings Thursday night. There was a point made to come out with purpose after their week 7 loss to Indianapolis and it’s safe to say the message was received by every player in that locker room.
Justin Herbert is suddenly flooded with weapons as the emergence of Oronde Gadsden continued with his second touchdown grab in as many weeks. Herbert threw not one, but two, touchdown passes to rookies as the second round pick Tre’ Harris took his first career trip to the endzone. Harris was silent for more of the night but we are beginning to see him get a little bit more involved. A majority of the remaining work went through his ole reliable targets in Keenan Allen and Ladd McConkey. Keenan may not be what he used to be but he’s still finding the gaps and openings and moving those chains for the Bolts. Many fans were questioning where Quentin Johnson was during the game, but he was out there wide open a few times, Herby just didn’t see him or took off running.
Speaking of taking off and running – Kimani Vidal, he has seized the opportunity that came available through injury and making it very difficult on the coaches to take playing time away when Hampton returns from his ankle injury. His sudden emergence (100 yard efforts in two of the last three weeks) may remove the Chargers from the running back trade market with the upcoming deadline looming.
The return of Joe Alt and Trey Pipkins no doubt had a positive effect on both the pass protection and run game. Minnesota had a rough night but they’re typically pretty aggressive. Though Herbert was pressured on 65.2% of his dropbacks, he didn’t take a sack on the night and was able to dice up the Vikings pass defense for 217 and three touchdowns. They did manage to get one interception off him (and almost another early on that was overturned) so he will want to take better care of the football as this team clearly has enough firepower to make a push for the AFC.
Keith, Author
Keith runs youth flag football leagues by day, and by night he hosts the podcast and writes articles with the confidence of a man who’s been rushing quarterbacks since dial-up. A longtime flag football DE and lifelong Falcons fan, he’s no stranger to heartbreak and enjoys watching the bears get slaughtered each week. Equal parts coach, critic, and chaos, Keith calls it like he sees it… even if it hurts.
The Goal Line Grind 