Nick Canepa’s Chargers report card

A+

Coming to school wearing the team’s worst unis — color rush — Justin Herbert dressed out superbly, and did a bit more game managing than usual. But following some first quarter book learning, he had 204 passing yards at the break and rode it home in a hand ride from there vs. a weak field. On the move, he heaved a brilliant end-of-the-half 59-yarder to rapid Jalen Guyton for his second TD, and a 24-7 lead.

Running backs A

Treated like Venetian glass, Austin Ekeler doesn’t sign his autograph when he gets the ball, but usually does something good with it and often scores. Which he did — and then got hurt when he rolled his ankle (taped up more than King Tut) midway through the third and was done.

Receivers A

Mike Williams got cleared of COVID, but Keenan Allen did not, so it figured Mike would have to produce and Guyton and rookie Joshua Palmer would have to step up in class. All three did. Williams had a 25-yarder to set up a field goal, Guyton had the long TD and Palmer caught an early scoring pass and later got open for a 36-yarder. Jared Cook caught a TD.

Offensive line B

Hard for instructor to call the Giants’ front seven magnificent, but big fellas were good enough. Both sacks allowed came on Herbert scrambles.

Defensive line B

Saquon Barkley made hangingon Jerry Tillery call out “Tickets Please!” The Giants’ O line has not been good. Joe Gaziano continues to make his attendance known.

Linebackers B

The only person Joey Bosa touched in the first half was a blocker. But Bosa had his fourth strip-sack of the season at the end of the third, recovered by Justin Jones.

Secondary B+

All-important Derwin James was out with a pulled hammy. Michael Davis cleared virus protocol and made vital plays (got beat late). As did Chris Harris. Nasir Adderley brilliantly broke up a pass (left late under concussion protocol). They forgot to cover Kyle Rudolph. Tevaughn Campbell did a Hemingwayian matador whiff. Nick Niemann even had a pick.

Special teams C

Kicker Dustin Hopkins did nothing to get himself a ride to LAX. He was 3-for-3 on field goals, and, importantly, made PATs.

Coaching A

Brandon Staley got a gimme, but he went after it. Maybe Joe Lombardi has realized Herbert and Drew Brees are two different QBs.

Next opportunity (vs. Chiefs) A

K.C. got beat in its place by the Staleys in Week 2, but this is Week 15, and K.C. is coming off a rodeo in which it lassoed the Raiders into Joplin. If Ekeler can’t go Thursday, problem.