If the Chargers defense plays the 2016 regular season the way it did against the Cardinals in Friday's preseason game then they will go down in history as one of the best defenses in NFL history.
The unit that was steamrolled for 288 yards rushing by the Titans on the exhibition opener responded with a near shutout of a team that is on a lot of people's short list of Super Bowl contenders. The Bolts beat the Redbirds 19-3 at Qualcomm Stadium.
San Diego's defense allowed 209 total yards, just 63 of them on the ground, and forced a pair of turnovers, one of which resulted in the only touchdown of the game. Brandon Flowers jumped in front of a Carson Palmer screen pass and ran 25 yards for a touchdown that gave the Chargers a 7-0 lead.
Safety Jahleel Addae followed with the first interception of his career. He ran it back 61 yards before being stopped at the Arizona nine yard line.
But the Chargers offense was unable to take advantage. Head coach Mike McCoy decided to hold quarterback Philip Rivers out of the game even though the Pro Bowler is healthy. Kellen Clemens started and played the first half. He led drives that set up three of Josh Lambo's four field goals.
Undrafted rookie Mike Bercovici played the second half and was able to set up a 50-yard Lambo kick that put the Bolts up 19-0. The Chargers are 1-1 on the preseason. Their next exhibition game will be Sunday, August 28 in Minnesota against the Vikings.
