'Soiled work' fuels Harbaugh's profitable NFL return

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — At Los Angeles Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh’s introductory press convention in February, he described a purpose to alter the Chargers’ tradition: from that of a group with in style powder blue uniforms to at least one that was bodily and wore groups down late in video games.

Harbaugh’s speech was prescient — as his imaginative and prescient got here true in Sunday’s 22-10 win over the Oakland Raiders. L.A. outscored their division rivals 15-3 within the fourth quarter and had one of many group’s finest speeding performances in franchise historical past.

“[Wins] are exhausting to get. Everyone in that locker room is aware of it, as do I,” Harbaugh mentioned. “It’s actually exhausting to win a sport within the NFL, and I simply take my hats off to essentially everyone within the group, particularly these which were right here doing the soiled work.”

It was Harbaugh’s first sport again within the NFL since 2014 when he was the top coach with the San Francisco 49ers. He improved his file within the NFL to 45-19-1, the fifth-best win share (.700) for a head coach in NFL historical past.

Proprietor Dean Spanos interrupted Harbaugh’s post-game speech with sport balls for Harbaugh and GM Joe Hortiz, which drew a loud yell of pleasure from Harbaugh and gamers. After the sport, Harbaugh mentioned he felt “actually fortunate and lucky.”

“To have a man main the cost like that and a locker room that buys in and follows him, you recognize, It is a special occasion as nicely for him to get his first win,” quarterback Justin Herbert mentioned.

It was an eventful return for Harbaugh, who sprinted on the sector within the fourth quarter to interrupt up what he referred to as a “melee” between gamers. Officers ejected Chargers WR Joshua Palmer and Raiders CB Jack Jones for a brawl that involved multiple players from each groups.

“Simply attempting to get our guys again, get ’em separated, maintain the remainder of the fellows coming,” Harbaugh mentioned. “I simply tried to interrupt it up.”

The Chargers have been buoyed by their protection, which saved them within the sport because the offense struggled. Harbaugh was significantly impressed with Joey Bosa, who had a sack, one compelled fumble, and 7 tackles. Khalil Mack additionally had 1.5 sacks and a fumble restoration.

Whereas the protection dominated, the offense stalled. Via the primary three quarters, they’d run six performs within the pink zone, which gained six yards. That modified within the fourth quarter when working again J.K. Dobbins broke free for a 12-yard speeding landing. Later within the quarter, Dobbins broke free for a 61-yard acquire that arrange a 10-yard landing move to rookie broad receiver Ladd McConkey to successfully put the sport away.

Dobbins completed with 10 carries for 135 yards and 1 TD. It was among the finest opening video games by a working again within the historical past of the Chargers. For that efficiency, Harbaugh gave Dobbins his sport ball. (Although he advised Dobbins he would wish the ball again after his speech.)

Dobbins averaged 13.5 yards per carry, probably the most by any working again in a season opener in NFL historical past, and his 135 speeding yards is probably the most by any participant in his first sport with the Chargers.

It was the form of efficiency Dobbins had advised reporters to count on months in the past, when he proclaimed {that a} “particular” season was coming. Accidents have plagued Dobbins, who performed in simply 24 of a possible 74 potential video games for the reason that Baltimore Ravens drafted him in 2020.

He signed with the Chargers for a one-year $1,610,000 contract that included simply $50,000 assured this offseason.

After the sport, Dobbins mentioned he was “so upset” along with his efficiency as a result of on his two lengthy runs of 61 and 46 yards, he was run down and tackled by defenders from behind.

“I gotta’ get in form,” Dobbins mentioned. “I believed I used to be in form, however I used to be not.”