CHICAGO — D’Onta Foreman ran for a touchdown and the Chicago Bears boosted their shot at the top pick in the draft, beating the Carolina Panthers, 16-13, on Thursday night.

The prime-time matchup between teams among the bottom five in the NFL delivered about as much drama as expected. But Chicago (3-7) made enough plays to come away with the victory.

The Bears also boosted their chances at the No. 1 pick because they have Carolina’s first-rounder in 2024. They acquired the pick along with Moore last March for the top selection this year. The Panthers (1-8) are tied with Arizona – which plays Atlanta on Sunday – for the worst record in the NFL.

Foreman gave the Bears a 16-10 lead in the third quarter with a 4-yard run. Chicago was clinging to a three-point lead with 1:40 remaining when Carolina’s Eddy Pineiro attempted a 59-yard field goal. The ball landed well short.

Moore caught five passes for 58 yards against his former team. Rookie Tyson Bagent threw for 162 yards in his fourth straight start with Justin Fields sidelined because of a dislocated right thumb. The undrafted rookie from Division II Shepherd University in West Virginia didn’t see open receivers at times and completed 20 of 33 passes, after throwing three interceptions and losing a fumble last week in a loss at New Orleans.

Carolina’s Ihmir Smith-Marsette returned a punt 79 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter. But Bryce Young, coming off his worst game as a pro, had another rough outing. The No. 1 draft pick this year, the former Mater Dei High standout was 21 of 38 for 185 yards with a 68.4 rating, after throwing three interceptions and having two returned for scores in a loss to Indianapolis.

Adam Thielen caught six passes for 42 yards, and the Panthers fell to 0-5 on the road.

The Bears grabbed a 16-10 lead midway through the third on a 4-yard run by Foreman – who spent last season with Carolina – to cap a 38-yard drive after pinning the Panthers deep in their own territory. Chicago opted not to try a 2-point conversion to go up by seven.

Carolina got a big opportunity late in the third, taking over at the Chicago 40-yard line after Trenton Gill shanked a punt. The Panthers got pushed back 20 yards to start the drive because of back-to-back penalties, then got to the 20 before Pineiro kicked a field goal to make it a three-point game early in the fourth.

The Panthers led 10-9 at halftime even though the Bears outgained them 205 yards to 97. Chicago ran 42 plays but settled for three field goals by Cairo Santos.

Smith-Marsette, who played part of last season in Chicago, gave the Panthers a 7-0 lead in the first quarter when he returned a punt 79 yards for a touchdown. He broke a tackle by Josh Blackwell, cut through the middle and used a hesitation move to get past punter Trenton Gill for his first career touchdown return.

Chicago answered with a 54-yard field goal by Santos. Former Bear Pineiro kicked a 33-yarder early in the second quarter to make it a seven-point game. Santos booted two more field goals, hitting a 36-yarder with just over three minutes left and 39-yarder as time expired, to make it a one-point game.

INJURIES

Neither team reported an injury.

UP NEXT

The Panthers host Dallas on Nov. 19.

The Bears visit Detroit on Nov. 19.

“Same look in his eye,” Staley said. “Same amount of words. He’s just really serious. Really easy to talk to. All ball. Total focus. He has the composure of a much (older person). He was only 20 when we first met him. … He means business. He’s a great kid. … That’s how he came off.”

Tuipulotu, now 21, isn’t the same player he was upon leaving USC for the draft. How could he be? No question, he was a standout with the Trojans, named a consensus All-America and the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year after finishing third in the country with 12½ sacks.

But the speed and the experience and the general excellence of NFL players has brought out the best in Tuipulotu, and he’s met or exceeded expectations so far. He’s had four sacks, including two in the Chargers’ victory over the New York Jets on Monday night, and 20 solo tackles in eight games.

Success, such as it has been in his burgeoning career, hasn’t altered Tuipulotu in the least. He remains shy in many ways, reserved, willing to defer to older, more experienced and more accomplished teammates such as fellow pass rushers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack, two multiple Pro Bowl selections.

During spring practices and training camp, Tuipulotu addressed Bosa and Mack as “Sir,” although Bosa and Mack each say he’s stopped the practice. He even has nicknames for Bosa, 28, and Mack, 32. Tuipulotu calls Bosa “Joey B” or “Joey Beeskie.” Mack is “K-Mack” or simply “K.”

Tuipulotu even says “Hi” to quarterback Justin Herbert when he passes him in the hallway, drawing laughter from reporters at the retelling, but he also admitted, “I’m still kind of scared to talk to Justin. I don’t know. It’s just ‘J-Herbo.’ I’m weird like that. It took me a while to talk to ‘K’ and Joey. I’m just weird.”

It’s all about giving proper respect, Tuipulotu said.

“Tuli is a funny guy,” Mack said. “Some of the stuff he says, I’m shocked by it just as much as y’all. He was a little quiet coming in, sitting by himself, but he’s become more comfortable with us. It just speaks to the group we have, a lot of guys that you could say are high-level players and stars on the football field, but we’re all brothers when it comes to the locker room.”

At first, Tuipulotu sat in the corner at weekly dinners arranged and hosted by Mack for the Chargers’ defensive unit. He came out of his shell and gradually joined the conversation, although he acknowledged that Mack and defensive linemen Morgan Fox and Nick Williams are “the life of the dinner.”

“They’re always having fun,” Tuipulotu said.

The dinners have accomplished something else, too.

“Camaraderie,” Tuipulotu said. “It builds a lot of relationships. I’ve talked to a lot of people that I wouldn’t normally, just because I’m not in their room and I’m not really good at talking to people like that. It’s a great thing, building connections. I’m grateful for ‘K-Mack’ for having those team dinners weekly. It’s great for us, for sure.”

Tuipulotu’s play has given others something to talk about, too. It would be one thing if he was a shy, reserved person who accomplished little of note on the practice field or during games, but he’s been an excellent depth player behind Bosa and Mack, giving the Chargers an effective pass rush.

For instance, the Chargers sacked Jets quarterback Zach Wilson eight times, forcing him to fumble twice during a 27-6 victory that was sparked by their defense. Bosa had 2½ sacks, Mack and Tuipulotu each had two sacks, safety Dean Marlowe had one and Fox had a half sack.

It’s on the field that Tuipulotu reveals a different side of himself, a part rooted in his family’s ancestral home on the South Pacific island of Tonga.

“I just scream, ‘Tongans,’ a lot,” Tuipulotu said of his reaction after sacking a quarterback. “That’s my culture. I scream it a lot. I think, after the sacks (Monday), I kept screaming, ‘Tongans, Tongans, Tongans.’ When I’m on the field, I’m a whole different person, for sure. I kind of just turn the switch on.

“Outside of it, I’m kind of like this.”

Reserved. Relaxed. Respectful.

“Games like that can be frustrating,” he said.

The Chargers (4-4) barely moved the ball down the field against New York’s impressive defense, generating a season-low total of 191 net yards. Their touchdown scoring drives were short and sweet, one covering 50 yards and another of 2 yards, each capped by short runs by Austin Ekeler.

Two drives that resulted in field goals by Cameron Dicker were impressive but for different reasons. The first covered just 21 yards, but it was during a two-minute drill and set up Dicker for a 55-yard field goal on the final play of the first half. The second covered 68 yards in 16 plays, setting up Dicker’s 38-yard field goal.

“That’s a pretty good defense,” Herbert said of the Jets, who sacked him five times and pressured him from beginning to end. “We would have loved to have moved the ball better, to score a bunch of points. It didn’t go our way. But for us, it was important to stay together, stick together.”

In hindsight, Herbert might not have been content to jog to the sideline as the Chargers’ punt team took the field eight times, but he was pleased their offense didn’t turn over the ball on an interception or a fumble. Herbert didn’t throw an interception for the second consecutive game.

The only turnover the Chargers have had in the past two games was Ekeler’s fumble during their 30-13 victory over the Chicago Bears on Oct. 29, which set up a rather meaningless fourth-quarter touchdown. The Chargers didn’t force a turnover against the Bears but they recovered three Jets fumbles.

Overall, the Chargers have won the turnover battle 15-6 this season.

“As long as we’re not turning the ball over and we’re doing the best to score in the red zone and to create explosives (plays for big gains), that’s all you can ask for,” Herbert said of playing safe and sane against a defense that handed the NFL-leading Philadelphia Eagles their only loss of the season.

Patience is another key to playing against a formidable opponent. Not every game will result in 300 yards passing (or more) and three touchdowns (or more) with no turnovers. The object of the game is to find a way to win when matters are difficult and the opposition’s strengths are just a little bit stronger.

“It’s great that we have such a great supporting cast around us, coaching us,” Herbert said of offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and backup quarterbacks Easton Stick and Max Duggan. “They’ve done a great job on the sideline, just talking with us about exactly what we’re seeing, talking about the upcoming drive. To have those guys on the sideline, being able to communicate with them, I think that’s really helpful.”

STATUS REPORT

Coach Brandon Staley referred to the Chargers’ offense as “a work in progress, just like we are on defense and on special teams.” He also said of the offense, “I think that this group is still figuring it out together, but I like the group that we are coaching, and I like the way this group’s competing.”

DAVIS HONORED

Derius Davis, a rookie wide receiver, was named the AFC’s special teams player of the week after returning a punt 87 yards for a touchdown against the Jets. It was the longest punt return for a touchdown in the NFL this season, the fifth-longest in Chargers history and the first by any NFL rookie since 2017.

In Monday’s media call, head coach Sean McVay said he was hopeful that starting quarterback Matthew Stafford would return to the lineup after this week’s bye week, but also mentioned the team would look at different options.

“Feel really good about Matthew and how much he’s attacked doing everything in his power to be back and to lead the way for this team. We’re going to look at a lot of different things over this break here,” McVay said. “I’m optimistic that I don’t even think that’s something that we have to worry about, but we will figure out whether it be, not exclusive to the quarterback position but at some other spots, where are possibilities to be able to add competition. That could be one of them, but we haven’t made those decisions quite yet.”

It didn’t take long for the Rams to make a move, with Wentz coming in to replace Brett Rypien as the team’s backup quarterback. He could potentially see game action if Stafford isn’t ready to go by the team’s home game against Seattle on Nov. 19 after the bye week.

With Stafford sidelined Sunday, Rypien, 27, made his first start in his first season with the Rams, going 13 of 28 for 130 yards and no touchdowns with one interception in a 20-3 loss at Green Bay.

Wentz, 30, last played for the Washington Commanders during the 2022 season, going 2-5 in seven starts before fracturing the ring finger on his throwing hand. The injury led to a stint on IR and he didn’t return as the team’s starting quarterback.

The eight-year veteran’s best season came in 2017 with the Philadelphia Eagles, his lone Pro Bowl season, where he went 11-2 in 13 starts and threw for 3,296 yards and 33 touchdowns. His season ended prematurely after suffering a torn ACL, as the Eagles went on to win Super Bowl LII with Nick Foles at quarterback.

Wentz was traded to the Indianapolis Colts in March 2021, for a 2021 third-round pick and a 2022 first-round pick. The Colts traded him in March last year to the Commanders.

The former No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 draft, Wentz was selected by the Eagles after the Rams drafted Jared Goff first overall.

The Rams are expected to release quarterback Dresser Winn from the practice squad to make room for Wentz.

GETTING DEFENSIVE

The Chargers (4-4) held the Jets to two field goals after holding the Chicago Bears to 13 points during a 30-13 victory on Oct. 29 after limiting the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs to only a touchdown in the second half of a 31-17 loss on Oct. 22. That’s only 26 points given up over the past 10 quarters.

To be sure, no one is going to confuse either the Jets (4-4) or the Bears (2-7) for Super Bowl contenders, but the Chargers’ defense has been on an impressive run lately. They’ve sacked quarterbacks the past two games, stuffed the opposition’s running game and limited big gains to only a handful.

Specifically, the play of outside linebackers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack has been everything the Chargers anticipated when they acquired Mack from the Bears during the 2022 offseason. Bosa and Mack have become a forceful pass-rushing tandem, capably backed up by Chris Rumph II and Tuli Tuipulotu.

“The thing that Tuli, Joey and Khalil and Rumph have done a great job of is defending the edge in the run game,” Chargers coach Brandon Staley said. “We have really, really played the edge position the way it needs to be played, and it’s been a big factor in our run defense.”

The Jets gained 64 yards on 20 carries, an average of 3.2 yards per attempt.

The Bears gained 73 yards on 25 carries, an average of 2.9 yards.

Last season, the Chargers gave up 5.4 yards per carry, the worst mark in the NFL.

Of the key elements of the Chargers’ defense, none might be more important than the fact that they are healthy at so many significant positions, but especially along the defensive line and among their pass-rushers. Last season, they were battered, bruised and bloodied throughout their defense.

Now, they’re healthy and clicking.

“Bingo,” Staley said.

ALLEN APPRECIATION

Wide receiver Keenan Allen topped 10,000 yards receiving for his career when he caught eight passes for 77 yards in the Chargers’ victory over the Jets. Only former tight end Antonio Gates has had more yards in a career with the Chargers than Allen, with 11,841 yards between 2003 and 2018.

Staley is not one to take Allen for granted or fail to be amazed by him.

“I think from afar, before I even got here, I was just such a big fan,” Staley said. “I think every coach is, but then every year I’ve been here I’ve had a great appreciation for how special he is. He’s got a really unique skill set. He’s so dedicated to his craft. I think offensive and defensive coaches know his ability to separate and set people up and how he understands leverage and how he understands coverages.

“He’s a lot bigger than people think. He’s 6-(foot-)3. He can do everything. He can play everywhere. He’s a clutch player. He’s a competitor. He’s a dog. I’m just so happy for him. To be a part of history, I think all of us know why he made history because everyone who’s been with him sees what he does on a day-to-day basis. He’s the ultimate standard of consistency.”

Staley recalled how, in his role as the overseer of the defense, he attempted to defend Allen during training camp, but then ditched his game plan and still failed to cover him adequately. Staley tried double-teams. He tried everything he could think of before “abandoning the mission.”

“It’s a testament to him,” Staley said.

WELCOME BACK

Wide receiver Jalen Guyton and defensive lineman Otito Ogbonnia made their season debuts after beginning the season on the physically unable to perform list because of season-ending knee injuries suffered in 2022. They were activated for the first time after several weeks of practice.

Guyton was on the field for 33 of 58 offensive snaps, but didn’t catch a pass on two targets from quarterback Justin Herbert, who threw for a career-low 136 yards. Ogbonnia played 37 of 81 defensive snaps plus two more on special teams. He combined on three tackles, including one solo.

WHAT COMES NEXT

The Chargers have a short week to rest, recover and prepare before facing the NFC North-leading Detroit Lions (6-2) on Sunday at SoFi Stadium. The Lions, coming off their bye week, have won four of five. Only the Philadelphia Eagles (8-1), Baltimore Ravens (7-2) and Chiefs (7-2) have better records.

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  Chargers safety Alohi Gilman (32) celebrates with teammates after recovering a fumble and returning it to the New York Jets’ 2-yard line during the fourth quarter on Monday night in East Rutherford, N.J. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

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  Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert passes against the New York Jets during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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  Chargers wide receiver Derius Davis runs back a punt return for a touchdown against the New York Jets during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

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  Chargers wide receiver Derius Davis runs back a punt return for a touchdown against the New York Jets during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

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  Chargers wide receiver Derius Davis, left, celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the New York Jets during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

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  The Chargers’ Derius Davis (12) celebrates on the sideline after returning a punt for a touchdown during the first quarter against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on November 06, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)

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  New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson passes against the Chargers during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

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  Chargers defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day (51) celebrates after tackling New York Jets running back Breece Hall during the first half at MetLife Stadium on November 06, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)

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  New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson (17) tries to avoid a tackle by Chargers safety Alohi Gilman (32) during the first quarter an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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  Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. (3) slides out of bounds after recovering a fumble by New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson (17) during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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  Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. (3) celebrates with teammates after recovering a fumble by the New York Jets during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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  Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. (3) celebrates with teammates after recovering a fumble by the New York Jets during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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  Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, center, huddles with teammates during the first half against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on November 06, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

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  Chargers running back Austin Ekeler tries to avoid a tackle by New York Jets safety Jordan Whitehead (3) during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

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  Chargers running back Austin Ekeler carries the ball against New York Jets cornerback D.J. Reed (4) during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

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  Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen carries the ball against the New York Jets during the first quarter an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

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  Chargers running back Austin Ekeler is tackled short of the goal line by D.J. Reed of the New York Jets during the first half at MetLife Stadium on November 06, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

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  Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert hands off the ball to running back Austin Ekeler during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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  Chargers running back Austin Ekeler crosses the goal line for a touchdown against the New York Jets during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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  Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (30) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the New York Jets during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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  Chargers running back Joshua Kelley (25) carries the ball against New York Jets safety Jordan Whitehead (3) during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

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  Chargers running back Joshua Kelley (25) leaps over New York Jets safety Jordan Whitehead (3) on a carry during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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  New York Jets running back Breece Hall (20) carries the ball against Chargers safety Dean Marlowe (20) during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

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  New York Jets defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers, right, sacks Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium on November 06, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)

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  Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) stiff-arms New York Jets defensive end John Franklin-Myers (91) during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

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  New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) is sacked by Chargers linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu (45) during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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  Chargers edge rusher Joey Bosa, right, recovers a fumble during the first quarter of their game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on November 06, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)

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  Chargers edge rusher Joey Bosa recovers a fumble during the first quarter of their game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on November 06, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)

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  New York Jets linebacker Chazz Surratt (55) tackles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (30) during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

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  Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (30) is tackled by the New York Jets during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

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  Chargers linebacker Joey Bosa (97) strips the ball from New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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  New York Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley (57) leaps over Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (30) as he is tackled by New York Jets cornerback Michael Carter II (30) during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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  Chargers linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu (45) gets a hand on New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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  Chargers linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu sacks Zach Wilson of the New York Jets during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium on November 06, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

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  Chargers linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu celebrates after sacking Zach Wilson of the New York Jets during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium on November 06, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)

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  Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert throws a pass during the second half against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on November 06, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)

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  Chargers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. (26) tackles New York Jets tight end C.J. Uzomah (87) during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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  New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson (17) is tackled by Chargers linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. (9) and cornerback Michael Davis (43) during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

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  New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson, left, scrambles against Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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  New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner reacts during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

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  Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. (3) commits pass interference against New York Jets tight end Tyler Conklin (83) during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

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  Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack, right, puts pressure on New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

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  Chargers linebacker Joey Bosa (97) reacts with Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Eric Kendricks (6) during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

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  Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert scrambles away from New York Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams (95) during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

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  Chargers edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu sacks New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson during the fourth quarter on Monday night in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Chargers had eight sacks and recovered three fumbles in their 27-6 win. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)

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  Chargers linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu (45) sacks New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

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  A Chargers fan reacts during the game between the Chargers and the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on November 06, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

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  Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert throws a pass during the second half against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on November 06, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)

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  Chargers linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu (45) reacts after sacking New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

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  Chargers linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu reacts after sacking New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

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  New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) scrambles away from Chargers linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu (45) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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  The Chargers’ Michael Davis, right, tries to tackle New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson during the second half at MetLife Stadium on November 06, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

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  Head coach Robert Saleh of the New York Jets reacts during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at MetLife Stadium on November 06, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

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  Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) huddles with teammates during the second half against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on November 06, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

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  Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert passes against the New York Jets during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

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  Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen catches a pass with one hand during the fourth quarter against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on November 06, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

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  Chargers safety Alohi Gilman (32) reacts after recovering a fumble and returning it to the New York Jets’ 2-yard line during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

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  A Chargers fan reacts during the game between the Chargers and the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on November 06, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

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  The Chargers react after defeating the New York Jets in an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

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  Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, left, greets New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson after the Chargers defeated the Jets, 27-6, on Monday night in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)

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  New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) greets Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) after playing in an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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  Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert signs autographs after defeating the New York Jets 27-6 at MetLife Stadium on November 06, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)

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  Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) greets fans after playing against the New York Jets in an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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  A Chargers fan reacts during the game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on November 06, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

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  Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) signs autographs for fans after playing against the New York Jets in an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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  Chargers fans react during the game between the Chargers and the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on November 06, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

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  Chargers fans cheer during the game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on November 06, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

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  Chargers head coach Brandon Staley, answers questions during a news conference after an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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  Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert answers questions during a news conference after playing against the New York Jets in an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

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  Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen warms up before the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on November 06, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)

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  A Chargers fan looks on before the game between the Chargers and the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on November 06, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

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  Injured New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers walks on the field before a game between the New York Jets and the Chargers , Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

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  A New York Jets fan looks on during the game between the Chargers and the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on November 06, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The postgame music boomed through the Chargers’ locker room after they routed the New York Jets, 27-6, on Monday night. They sang and danced in celebration of returning to the .500 mark with a suffocating defensive showing that tormented the Jets from beginning to end.

In the final minutes, fans clad in the Chargers’ powder blue colors had appeared from all corners of MetLife Stadium, gathering en masse near the tunnel leading to the visitors’ locker room. “De-fense, de-fense, de-fense,” they bellowed as the Chargers turned away the Jets one final time.

“We always want to be the people who set the tone early and be aggressive, and that’s kind of what we’ve tried to do these last couple of games,” Chargers safety Alohi Gilman said. “It’s something that’s been working for us, and having them (opponents) playing on our terms is what we’ve been going for.”

It was a grind, a 60-minute slog, the sort of game the Chargers hadn’t played this season. Yards were a precious commodity for both teams, but especially for the Chargers, so accustomed to moving with ease down the field, with quarterback Justin Herbert serving as their tour guide.

Herbert’s usual connections were well-covered by the Jets, whose pressure on him forced him into a career-low 136 yards on 16-for-30 passing with zero touchdowns and zero interceptions. Keenan Allen caught half of Herbert’s passes for 77 yards, topping 10,000 yards receiving for his career.

Only tight end Antonio Gates, with 11,841 yards, had more in Chargers history.

Allen topped the 10K mark with a twisting, turning catch along the sideline that produced the Chargers’ largest offensive gain of the game, a reception Allen would later say was “fire.” He said he hadn’t watched the video of it, but suffice it to say it led to the second of Cameron Dicker’s two field goals.

“I mean, it’s been 11 years,” said Allen, who has spent his entire career with the Chargers. “Once you can stack up the years, and all the coaches I’ve always had said to stack ‘em up, stack up your seasons, stack up your games. Once you do that, the numbers start to accumulate and records start to get broken.”

In the end, though, the Chargers’ second consecutive victory was more about defense than offense. They sacked Wilson eight times, forced him to fumble twice and limited the Jets to two field goals before a defensive stand in the red zone in the final moments made it sound as if SoFi Stadium had moved east.

The Jets (4-4) outgained the Chargers (4-4) by 270-191, but managed only 64 yards on the ground. Safety Derwin James Jr. led the Chargers with 10 tackles, including seven solo. Gilman forced one fumble and returned another 48 yards to set up the second of Austin Ekeler’s two touchdown runs.

Outside linebackers Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu tormented Wilson. Bosa was credited with 2½ sacks and also forced a fumble that would set up the first of Ekeler’s touchdowns. Mack and Tuipuloto each had two sacks. Safety Dean Marlowe had one and defensive lineman Morgan Fox had a half-sack.

“It (ticked) us off, it (ticked) us off, because we heard how good they were all week, all week,” James said of the narrative that the Jets’ defense was superior to the Chargers’ defense. “We wanted to hold our own and show that we have a great defense, too. (Monday) was a step toward that, for sure.”

The Chargers forced two turnovers and scored two touchdowns and seized a 14-0 lead by the end of the first quarter, feeding off a pregame energy that was evident during the warmups. James ran around slapping hands with his teammates and coaches and gave Herbert a playful shove.

Herbert shoved him back playfully.

“I ain’t do nothing,” James said, underrating his value as a motivator.

The Chargers then went three-and-out on their first possession, a dubious beginning that was quickly forgotten after rookie Derius Davis weaved his way through traffic for an 87-yard punt return for a touchdown with 13:15 left in the first quarter. It was the longest in the NFL this season.

“It was big, it was big,” James said of the jolt Davis’ touchdown gave the Chargers in the early minutes of the game, the only score they would need to win. “When we’re connected on special teams to offense and defense, that’s the type of performance we’re capable of going and doing.”

The offense still had Matthew Stafford, and Cooper Kupp, and Sean McVay, and they could provide cover as the first- and second-year players on the defense got some experience and went through any necessary growing pains, or so the logic went.

But while the defense has proven itself to be ahead of schedule, the offense has struggled to find consistent footing.

Consider the Rams’ three-game losing streak to drop to 3-6 entering their Week 10 bye.

The offense managed just eight snaps total in two drives in the fourth quarter as the Pittsburgh Steelers mounted their comeback. A miscommunication between Stafford and Kupp led to a pick-six before the Rams lost 2 yards on the subsequent drive and had their punt blocked out of the end zone to let the Dallas Cowboys game get out of hand. And with Stafford out with a thumb injury Sunday, all the Rams could manage was a field goal in a 20-3 loss to the Green Bay Packers.

So the Rams hope that the bye week will give them time to find some solutions on offense.

“I don’t think there’s an easy answer to that,” Kupp said Sunday when asked why the offense has struggled to find consistency. “We got some very competent, very smart football minds in our building. So if the answer was easy, we’d have fixed it by now. … There’s a lot of football to watch and just get a feel for what have we put on film for the last nine weeks and what can we do better.”

Again, the Rams were without Stafford on Sunday, and for almost six quarters now since he sprained the UCL in his right thumb against Dallas. Backup Brett Rypien struggled to sustain drives, and he got little help from the rest of the offense on a day the Rams were all out of wack.

But, as the Rams have encountered before this season, the Packers tripped them up by abandoning the tendencies and even the core principles of their defense. The Rams arrived at the line of scrimmage and saw something they had not seen on film during their week of preparation.

“Whether they self-scout that themselves or what they’re doing, but they did a good job changing some stuff up,” Kupp said. “Like most defenses have that we’ve seen this season. So it’s like, shoot, stuff we’re seeing on film, we get some different stuff.”

There are a lot of possible reasons for this. McVay pointed out that Packers head coach Matt LaFleur and defensive coordinator Joe Barry are former Rams assistants very familiar with how the team operates.

But this isn’t exclusive to the Packers. In the week following the loss to the Steelers, Stafford talked about the disparity between how defenses played other teams and how they played the Rams.

“From what I’ve seen from defensive coordinators, I think they have a lot of respect for who our head coach is and who our core offensive minds are in this building. What you see on tape is not what you get on Sundays,” Stafford said at the time. “I think we’ve had to adjust quite a bit, probably more so than some other teams, then you got to go out there and make the adjustments and go make the plays. And certain times we’ve done that from an execution standpoint as players better than others.”

In turn, McVay on Monday echoed Kupp’s Sunday sentiments when he said that defensive coordinators were also showing deference to Stafford with these decisions. He also said his offense is designed to withstand these kinds of in-game surprises.

“A lot of the plays that we have are all-purpose in regard to if they play this, then that’s where this takes you and this is how you exhaust your progression,” McVay said. “That’s part of how you coach. You have primary reads and secondary reads and sometimes they’re coverage contours, sometimes they’re across the board so it doesn’t affect things too much.”

When there have been defensive looks that require extra attention, Kupp said coaches have done a good job of addressing those changes in between series. But that’s not something that can be discussed in between play calls. It’s something players have to be aware of in the moment.

“At the end of the day, it’s like, ‘Hey, they’re doing some different stuff but no one’s reinventing the wheel,’” Kupp said. “It’s about recognizing it and how does that change our responsibilities and now let’s go play fast.”

Follow along for live updates from Chargers reporter Elliott Teaford before, during and after the Chargers’ game against the New York Jets (5:15 p.m., ABC, ESPN).

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— O.C. Register (@ocregister) November 5, 2023

LAS VEGAS — Josh Jacobs rushed for 98 yards and two touchdowns, rookie Aidan O’Connell passed for 209 yards and Antonio Pierce won in his debut as Las Vegas’ interim coach as the Raiders routed the New York Giants 30-6 on Sunday.

Maxx Crosby had three of the Raiders’ eight sacks. Las Vegas held the Giants to 275 yards in the Raiders’ largest margin of victory since beating the Denver Broncos 37-12 on Nov. 15, 2020.

Giants quarterback Daniel Jones left one play into the second quarter with a right knee injury. Tommy DeVito played the rest of the game and passed for 175 yards and a touchdown. Saquon Barkley rushed for 90 yards on 16 carries.

This was the Raiders’ first game since coach Josh McDaniels, offensive coordinator Mick Lombardi and general manager Dave Ziegler were fired early in the week and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was benched.

The result couldn’t have gone much better for the Raiders, who led 24-0 by halftime, which tied for their sixth-largest advantage when not allowing a point.

The team played tight under McDaniels’ rigid control, but there was a noticeable ease in the locker room this week under Pierce, the former Long Beach Poly head coach. The question was whether that would translate on the field.

It did, and from the beginning when Las Vegas went down the field and scored on a 17-yard jet sweep by wide receiver Jakobi Meyers.

By halftime, the Raiders (4-5) already had scored a season high in points and Jacobs had already rushed for a season-best 86 yards. Las Vegas’ previous high was 21 points three weeks ago against the New England Patriots, with the final two coming on a safety. The Raiders’ offense ended a nine-game skid without scoring at least 20 points.

Jacobs, who last season led the NFL in rushing, nearly ended a 13-game streak without a 100-yard performance. He was at 101 yards before losing 3 yards on his final carry.

O’Connell was given the start this week over the ineffective Garoppolo and Brian Hoyer, and Pierce said it would be his job going forward. The QB commonly referred to as AOC completed 16 of 25 passes.

For the Giants, the game couldn’t have gone much worse. They entered last in the league in total, scoring and passing offense.

New York’s offense still hasn’t scored a touchdown in the first quarter, and it didn’t reach the end zone in this game until early in the fourth quarter and then after trailing 27-0.

At 2-7, the Giants already have as many losses as all of last season when they went 9-7-1 and made the playoffs.

Interceptions by Amik Robertson and Nate Hobbs led to the final 10 points of the half for the Raiders to all but end any doubt about the outcome. Las Vegas outgained New York 240-108 in the opening 30 minutes.

INJURIES

Raiders RT Thayer Munford (neck) and LBs Divine Deablo (ankle) and Luke Masterson (concussion) did not play. … Las Vegas CB Marcus Peters left with a knee injury. … Giants OTs Andrew Thomas (hamstring) and Evan Neal (ankle) returned after missing time. Thomas hadn’t played since the season opener, and Neal missed the previous two games. Neal, however, left in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury. … New York CB Adoree’ Jackson suffered a concussion.

UP NEXT

Giants: The second of a three-game road trip continues against the NFC East-rival Dallas Cowboys next Sunday.

Raiders: Another New York team visits when the Jets arrive for the Sunday night game.

HOUSTON — Down by four with less than a minute to go Sunday, rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud had complete confidence that he could rally the Houston Texans to a victory.

“Give me the ball,” he said. “Call the plays. I’m going to make the plays.”

Stroud, a Rancho Cucamonga graduate, threw for five touchdowns and a rookie-record 470 yards to lift the Texans to a 39-37 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a wild back-and-forth game.

Baker Mayfield put the Buccaneers on top with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Cade Otton with 46 seconds left.

But the Texans (4-4) drove down the field and Stroud found Tank Dell in the end zone with 6 seconds left to give the Texans the lead.

“His job was to beat the corner,” Stroud said. “And the Texans win. That drive — man it was special.”

Stroud kneeled instead of attempting the 2-point conversion with kicker Kaʻimi Fairbairn out with a quadriceps injury. The Buccaneers fumbled on the final play to give Houston the victory.

A 26-yard reception by Dell, who had 114 yards receiving, got the Texans within striking distance before Stroud found Dell again to complete the come-from-behind victory.

“That connection and that bond that Tank and C.J. have — it’s real,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “You see it off the field, on the field, they have a true bond and it’s fun to watch those guys work together.”

Stroud, the second overall pick in the draft, helped carry Houston’s offense on a day when running back Dameon Pierce sat out with an ankle injury and the Texans managed just 53 yards rushing.

“It was a gutsy performance from him,” Ryans said. “It wasn’t all clean but he gutted it out. He was tough in the pocket. Made some plays, made some big-time throws for us.”

Noah Brown had six catches for 153 yards and a touchdown and Dalton Schultz added 10 catches for 130 yards and a touchdown for the Texans.

Mayfield threw for 265 yards and two touchdowns and the Buccaneers (3-5) dropped their fourth straight game.

“It’s a devastating loss, no doubt about it,” Tampa Bay coach Todd Bowles said. “We’ve got to eat it. All of us feel the same way, especially me. I’ve been coaching a long time, I haven’t been involved in too many of these where it’s been back and forth like that and came down on the other end with a few things happening.”

Stroud led the Texans to touchdowns on their first three possessions of the second half to put them on top 30-23.

“C.J. Stroud doesn’t look like a rookie to me,” Mayfield said. “He’s so impressive, looks like a polished NFL quarterback. So, hats off to him. He played extremely, extremely well today.”

The Bucs tied it on a 1-yard run by Rachaad White before running back Dare Ogunbowale nailed a tiebreaking 29-yard field goal to put Houston on top 33-30 with about nine minutes to go.

He handled the kickoff duties in the second half with Fairbairn out with a quadriceps injury. But Houston went for 2 on each of its three second-half touchdowns, before Ogunbowale made the big field goal.

He’s the first non-kicker or punter to make a field goal since Wes Welker did it on Oct. 10, 2004, for the Dolphins against New England.

“Dare, he’s truly the player of the game,” Ryans said. “For him stepping up the way he did for us was outstanding by him.”

Tampa Bay extended its lead to 20-10 on a 49-yard field goal by Chase McLaughlin early in the third quarter.

Brown took a short pass from Stroud and dashed 75 yards for a touchdown on the first play of the next drive to cut the lead. The Texans attempted a 2-point conversion with Fairbairn out. But Stroud was intercepted by Joe Tryon-Shoyinka leave the Bucs up 20-16.

McLaughlin added a 55-yard field goal to push it to 23-16 with 9½ minutes left in the third.

Schultz caught a 26-yard pass on third-and-11 to extend Houston’s next possession. Stroud then hit Dell in the corner of the end zone for a 29-yard TD that cut the lead to 23-22. The 2-point conversion failed when Stroud’s throw to Dell fell short.

Schultz grabbed a 9-yard pass for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter and Stroud ran for the 2-point conversion to put the Texans up 30-23 before White’s fourth-quarter score. A 53-yard reception by Mike Evans set up that score.

The Texans took a 7-3 lead when Stroud connected with Nico Collins on a 14-yard score with about nine minutes left in the first quarter.

Mayfield connected with Otton on a 3-yard TD pass to put Tampa Bay on top 10-7.

Mayfield threw a 9-yard pass to White on third down to get the Buccaneers to the 1. White waltzed into the end zone on the next play to push the lead to 17-7 with about nine minutes until halftime.

The Texans cut the lead to 17-10 on a 50-yard field goal by Fairbairn with five minutes left in the second quarter.

Schultz fumbled after a reception on Houston’s first drive, and it was recovered Antoine Winfield Jr. on the Houston 42. The Buccaneers took a 3-0 lead on a 35-yard field goal by McLaughlin.