It wasn’t always pretty, but the Arizona Cardinals played defense and special teams when they needed to, and the result was a 17-15 win, their second consecutive one-score victory after Jonathan Gannon became head coach. .

Grounding the run

Chargers running back JK Dobbins entered the game with 438 yards on 81 carries (5.4 average), three touchdowns and 87.6 yards per play. After gaining 11 yards on his first two attempts, it looked like it was going to be a long night.

However, he only had 29 yards on 12 runs the rest of the game and finished 14-for-40. Ten of his attempts were for two yards or less, for a total of twelve yards.

Combined with Kimani Vidal and Hassan Haskins, the Chargers’ backs totaled 52 yards on 19 runs (2.7 average).

The Chargers had 20 called runs in the game and 44 pass plays.

Asked about the success of the run defense, Gannon said on the post-game radio show: “Hats off to the players. Attention to detail, coordination, assignment, key technique and violence. I thought we had the scrimmage under control. The edge players were setting violent edges, there was a backlash in the run game. We blew up a wall and guys are hitting the ball, man. They come off the blocks, hit the ball and get tackled well.”

Cornerback Garrett Williams sounded like Gannon when he said on the post-game radio show, “It was the coaches and players who trusted each other. The coaching staff really talked about keeping it simple in recent weeks and the guys in defense just focused on our positioning, assignment and key technique.

“We saw today that guys did their jobs and if everyone just does their job and doesn’t try to be a superhero, it all works out well.”

Where is the end zone?

The Chargers are still looking for it.

Despite quarterback Justin Herbert completing 27 of 39 passes for 349 yards, the Chargers reached the red zone just once and that trip resulted in one of their five field goals. That possession ended at the 10-yard line.

Kicker Cameron Dicker had field goals of 28, 40, 47, 50 and 59 yards on the final scrimmage play in the non-red zone trips at the Cardinals 22-, 29-, 32- and 41-yard lines.

They went 6-for-14 overall on third down, but on those field goals the missed third downs were twice with 4, 8, 9 and 10 yards to go. One of those 10-yarders was a spike at the end of the first half that stopped the clock for a 50-yard kick.

The 4-yarder was the most crucial with 2:02 remaining in the game from the 22-yard line when cornerback Max Melton connected with wide receiver Simi Fehoko at the 13-yard line with the ball in the air. A flag flew, but the officials quickly determined that the pass was uncatchable because it ended up three feet deep in the end zone.

Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said, “I saw a receiver being held and wrapped. They did the elusive sign. We had a double move and he got caught. I’ll let them explain how they ran that piece.”

In a pool report, referee Clete Blakeman said the officials got together and said the pass was uncatchable, but then made a serious error when asked: “So initially the flag was thrown because there was illegal contact or pass- interference would have been, but then it was considered elusive” and said: “Correct.”

The problem is that illegal contact occurs before the ball is thrown, so an uncatchable ruling doesn’t matter in that case.

Big defensive plays with one from James Conner

Two actions took place early in the match that were crucial.

After defensive lineman Teair Tart intercepted a Kyler Murray pass on the game’s first possession, he ran four yards before running back James Conner hit the ball from behind and wide receiver Michael Wilson recovered at the Cardinals’ 28-yard line.

The Cardinals went three-and-out, but a 54-yard punt by Blake Gillikin reversed field position and the Chargers started at their own 12-yard line.

They then advanced 85 yards in six plays, with the last 42 coming on a Herbert pass to a wide-open Jalen Reagor. However, cornerback Star Thomas V refused to give up the play and when Reagor moved inside the 5-yard line, Thomas knocked the ball free and bounced it through the end zone for a touchback.

Thomas said: “It set the tone for the defense, knowing that we’re coming to play no matter what happens. We have a next-play mentality and we don’t stop at anything. Every play we played, we fought until the end and never gave up on anything.”

Conner said, “I think it says effort and energy play, and that’s our team playing with a lot of effort and a lot of energy. It happened very early, but we had the swing-first mentality. To see if he came down with the interception, he held it a little loose. I was just trying to make a play so we could keep possession.”

He joked, “I also have a little linebacker in me from back in the day.”

Gannon simply said, “Those guys, man, they care, their effort is there and they want to win.”

Hurt by the tight ends

Herbert played without wide receiver Quentin Johnston and with DJ Chark Jr. still on injured reserve and spread the ball around, even to his tight ends while Hayden Hurst was inactive.

Fourteen of his 37 targets, 10 of his 27 completions and 119 of his 349 yards went to tight ends: Will Dissly (8-81 on 11 targets), Stone Smartt (one target and one reception for 31 yards) and Eric Tomlinson (one goal and one catch for seven yards).

Ryland the hero…again

For the second time in three games, kicker Chad Ryland came through for the game-winning field goal.

Against San Francisco it was a 35-yarder with 1:37 to play in a 24-23 win and Monday night it was from 32 yards as time expired.

The calm Ryland said of the game winner: “Same pre-kick routine I always do. Go outside, we’ll take our line. Obviously I felt pretty good hitting the ball inside on that grass, and then just having good contact, and the ball usually goes where we want it to go.

Of his time with the Cardinals, Ryland said, “I think it’s a blessing, it really is. I’m lucky to be surrounded by good people here, and that makes pedaling a lot of fun. I have a lot of joy. I thank God and give Him all the glory because there were definitely some low points after leaving New England and everything that happened last year. I’m glad I can rely on my faith, and He got me out.

“It’s really nice to be somewhere where the boys attack with positivity every day. The technical staff is positive about it. We’re really moving in the right direction, and it’s fun to be a part of that.”

When asked what he was thinking when Ryland lined up for the potential game winner, Williams said, “Chad, ever since he got here, he’s been super locked in.” He’s working on his body, he’s doing all the little things right. He makes his kicks in practice, he makes his kicks in the game, so when you see him go in in that situation, it’s not really a big concern to be honest. There is no doubt in anyone’s mind. Everyone on the sidelines smiled as he went out before he even kicked it.

Gannon said simply, “I had complete confidence in Chad.”

Gillikin had another consistent performance with all four inside the 20, including being brought down at the 1-yard line by Joey Blount, who stood there waiting for the ball to bounce to him. The other starting points were the 10, 11 and 12 yard lines. Gillikin had the same average of 44.5 for gross and net.

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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: Cardinals 17, Chargers 15: 5 observations on defense, special teams