Los Angeles Times

CHARGERS PACK A WALLOP

Tight end Hunter Henry hauls in a catch during the Chargers’ 26-11 victory over the Green Bay Packers at Dignity Health Sports Park.

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The punchline punched back.

The interloper­s owned the joint.

On a bodacious yet bitterswee­t Sunday, the Chargers showed they belong somewhere, anywhere. But just not here. In a dominant 26-11 victory over the mighty Green Bay Packers at Dignity Health Sports Park, the Chargers proved they are not some running joke, but an actual contending-caliber football team that deserves to play in a place that appreciate­s them.

But that place is not Los Angeles.

It was a nationally televised wonder for the Chargers and a shame for the NFL, the football world witnessing Sunday’s most brilliant home-field performanc­e coming from a team without a home.

After three hours of football, an end to eight weeks of uneven performanc­es and the return of a ground game rumored to be dead, the notion finally hit Austin Ekeler.

“I was taking a shower thinking, ‘This is what it used to be like,’ ” the Chargers running back said. “‘Let’s get back to this feeling.’ We just gotta keep riding this now.”

One day after all the clocks turned back, Ekeler and his teammates revisited 2018 with a rather stunning and lopsided 26-11 victory over the favored Green Bay Packers on Sunday at Dignity Health Sports Park.

The Chargers controlled the ball and the pace, dominated quarterbac­k Aaron Rodgers and suddenly, with absolutely no warning, looked like the team that came within one victory of the AFC title game last season.

“This should be a huge confidence booster,” safety Rayshawn Jenkins said. “We gotta make that

 ?? Robert Gauthier Los Angeles Times ??
Robert Gauthier Los Angeles Times
 ?? Robert Gauthier Los Angeles Times ?? JOEY BOSA tackles Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers, who was held in check by the Chargers until late in the game. Bosa and teammate Melvin Ingram each had 11⁄2 sacks, helping to hold Rodgers to 161 yards passing.
Robert Gauthier Los Angeles Times JOEY BOSA tackles Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers, who was held in check by the Chargers until late in the game. Bosa and teammate Melvin Ingram each had 11⁄2 sacks, helping to hold Rodgers to 161 yards passing.
 ?? Robert Gauthier Los Angeles Times By Jeff Miller ?? CHARGERS RUNNING BACK Melvin Gordon hurdles Green Bay’s Chandon Sullivan for a 16-yard gain.
Robert Gauthier Los Angeles Times By Jeff Miller CHARGERS RUNNING BACK Melvin Gordon hurdles Green Bay’s Chandon Sullivan for a 16-yard gain.
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