INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts made amends for their last trip to SoFi Stadium last month by beating the Los Angeles Chargers, 38-24, on Sunday.
The Colts improved to 6-1 this season with the win — their only setback is still a mistake-plagued 27-20 loss to the Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sept. 28.
The Colts started hot again, driving 75 yards in five plays to take an early lead. Quarterback Daniel Jones connected with rookie tight end Tyler Warren for 29 yards before running back Jonathan Taylor ripped off runs of 13 and 23 yards, the second one going for a touchdown.
Michael Badgely, kicking in his second game for an injured Spencer Shrader, missed the extra point to keep the game at 6-0.
The Chargers responded with a 43-yard Cameron Dicker field goal. The Colts then put together a 17-play, 70-yard drive spanning parts of the first and second quarters. Taylor converted two 4th downs to keep the chains moving. Jones found wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. for a 4-yard touchdown to cap the drive and give Indianapolis a 13-3 advantage.
The defense forced a punt, and the offense went right back to work, going 80 yards in eight plays. Jones hit wide receiver Alec Pierce for 48 yards on a 3rd-and-17. Taylor gained 19 yards on the next play, then Jones threw a 5-yard touchdown to Warren to put the Colts up, 20-3, midway through the second quarter.
The defense recorded the first takeaway of the game on the ensuing possession when Los Angeles quarterback Justin Herbert’s pass deflected off of defensive lineman Grover Stewart and bounced high into the air. Stewart ultimately caught the ball while it was on its way down, registering his first career interception.
The Chargers appeared poised to cut into the Colts’ lead before halftime, driving down to the Indianapolis’ 7-yard line, but defensive back Nick Cross intercepted Herbert in the end zone. The offense turned that takeaway into points as Badgley booted a 36-yard field goal as time expired in the first half.
The Colts led, 23-3, as the teams went into the locker room.
Los Angeles cut into Indianapolis’ lead with the first possession of the second half, driving 70 yards in six plays. Herbert connected with wideout Quentin Johnston for a 7-yard touchdown pass.
The Colts responded immediately as running back Ameer Abdullah returned the ensuing kickoff 81 yards down to the Chargers’ 14-yard line. Indianapolis scored two plays later on Taylor’s second touchdown run of the game — an 8-yard rush. Jones hit Pittman Jr. on the two-point conversion to go ahead, 31-10.
Los Angeles made the game 31-17 on a Herbert-to-Keenan Allen 4-yard touchdown, but once again, the Colts had an emphatic answer, marching 73 yards in five plays. Taylor finished the drive with a 19-yard score — his third touchdown of the game.
The Chargers made it a two-score game again with a Herbert-to-Oronde Gadsden 15-yard touchdown.
Los Angeles was driving to cut further into the deficit, but defensive tackle DeForest Buckner sacked Herbert for a 12-yard loss to help end the threat. The defense stopped the Chargers on fourth down and the offense got two first downs to help seal the game.
The Colts return home to face division rival Tennessee next week at 4:25 p.m. on CBS4. The Colts beat the Titans, 41-20, in week 3.