Justin Herbert loves a little late-night television. The Chargers hurler has embraced the spotlight over the years, coming up clutch time and time again when the marquees are glittering.
He added to that legacy with a sterling display against the Bears, tearing Chicago's secondary to shreds to the tune of 31-of-40 passing for 298 yards and three passing touchdowns. The result of such a showcase? A comfortable Los Angeles victory, one that highlighted just how dangerous the Bolts offense can be when it's clicking.
Herbert was the beacon, tossing arrow after arrow into his receivers' grasp. He opened the day by completing each of his first 15 passes. But he was far from the only one to impress on Sunday night.
Austin Ekeler netted just 29 yards on 15 carries. But he was a star in the air, reeling in seven passes for 94 yards and a touchdown to lead Los Angeles' supporting cast.
The supporting cast also included the Bolts' defense. L.A. snatched two Tyson Bagent passes out of the air, frustrating the Shepherd alum, who showed some flashes of excellence at times but struggled to maintain consistency amid a swarming Chargers secondary.
All of that amounted to a standout showing for Los Angeles. The Chargers are desperate to find a rhythm and keep pace atop the AFC West. It's still a long season. But perhaps Sunday's display was a step in the right direction.
MORE: Watch Bears vs. Chargers live with Fubo
The Sporting News tracked live updates and highlights from the Week 8 "Sunday Night Football" matchup between the Bears and the Chargers. Scroll below as The Sporting News fills you in on all the action as it happened from SoFi Stadium.
Bears vs. Chargers score
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F | |
Bears | 0 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 13 |
Chargers | 14 | 10 | 6 | 0 | 30 |
Bears vs. Chargers live updates, highlights from 'Sunday Night Football'
(All times Eastern)
End of fourth quarter: Chargers 30, Bears 13
11:13 p.m.: Chicago's onside kick falls harmlessly into Chargers' grasps. This one is on ice.
11:11 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN! Bagent finally finds the promised land with a scamper over the mist. That will make the scoreline a little bit prettier as the game nears its conclusion.
Tush push TD 🙌 @ChicagoBears
— NFL (@NFL) October 30, 2023
📺: #CHIvsLAC on NBC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/afiiMv70VD pic.twitter.com/1XUw8E5jgS
Chargers 30, Bears 13
11:02 p.m.: FUMBLE! Chicago's defense has firmed up in this second half. They send the ball spiraling after jarring it loose from Ekeler. It falls into a Bears' players hands!
The @ChicagoBears force a fumble and recover the ball!
— NFL (@NFL) October 30, 2023
📺: #CHIvsLAC on NBC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/afiiMv70VD pic.twitter.com/vPK3A2fa0N
10:55 p.m.: INTERCEPTION! Derwin James gets his pick, benefiting from a collision between Mooney and another Bolts defensive back. Bagent's stat line isn't looking too pretty
DERWIN!!
— NFL (@NFL) October 30, 2023
📺: #CHIvsLAC on NBC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/afiiMv70VD pic.twitter.com/zxYW6vJoMW
10:48 p.m.: TURNOVER ON DOWNS! Bears defense prevails in the battle of the trenches! They got some work to do to get themselves back into the game! But that will certainly help with their effort.
10:41 p.m.: INTERCEPTION! Samuel snatches Bagent's effort out of the sky! Well,...almost. The ball deflected off of the turf. But the Bolts will get the ball back nonetheless — turnover on downs.
End of third quarter: Chargers 30, Bears 7
10:34 p.m.: FIELD GOAL! Dicker from distance once more! What a showcase by the Bolts kicker.
Chargers 30, Bears 7
10:32 p.m.: Herbert takes a mammoth shot on his incompletion. He got up slowly, but that will be one to look out for. Bears streaming back onto the field.
10:29 p.m.: TURNOVER ON DOWNS! The Bolts stuff Johnson and the Bears at the line of scrimmage! The Bolts will get the ball back in prime position to add to their already hearty lead.
10:23 p.m.: Herbert shows a little razzle dazzle in the pocket, escaping pressure to whip a throw towards Fehoko. However, the Chargers tight end sees the ball slip through his grasp.
10:18 p.m.: Bagent nearly sees his second throw drop in a Chargers' defender's hands. However, it trickles to the turf. Another empty drive results in a Bears punt.
10:13 p.m.: FIELD GOAL! Dicker sinks from distance to extend Los Angeles' lead to 20.
Chargers 27, Bears 7
10:09 p.m.: Parham continues to make his presence felt. He evaded his marker with a delicate cut, fielding Herbert's pass for 16 yards. The Bolts are in Chicago territory as the third quarter rolls on.
End of the second quarter: Chargers 24, Bears 7
9:44 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN! Herbert. Parham. Seven. The Bolts tight end frolics into the end zone after spurning numerous whiffed tackles.
Making the most of every second ⏰ @Chargers get another one with just seconds left in the half.
— NFL (@NFL) October 30, 2023
📺: #CHIvsLAC on NBC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/afiiMv70VD pic.twitter.com/qzyy2a0Cj5
Chargers 24, Bears 7
9:39 p.m.: Ekeler continues to tear Chicago's defense to shreds, picking up 23 yards on another catch in the flat.
9:33 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN! Darrynton Evans wades beyond the mire and hurdles over his markers to break the scoring seal for the Bears!
.@ChicagoBears are on the board! @ItzLiveee runs it in for 6!
— NFL (@NFL) October 30, 2023
📺: #CHIvsLAC on NBC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/afiiMv70VD pic.twitter.com/FtnBGwLxSp
Chargers 17, Bears 7
9:29 p.m.: Another one for Bagent, who places a pillow into Moore's hands. Chicago is inside the red zone for the first time tonight.
9:27 p.m.: Another solid effort from Bagent, who hits Cole Kmet for the first down. Really strong showing in the short and intermediate game for Bagent.
9:25 p.m.: Bagent should have had a score! Nearly connected with Jones on the go route. However, Jones slipped and, ultimately, dropped Bagent's effort.
9:22 p.m.: Despite the interception, Bagent has made some decent throws thus far. Just placed another one right into the mitts of Moore for 18 yards.
9:17 p.m.: FIELD GOAL! Dicker squeezes his effort between the uprights from 43 yards out.
Chargers 17, Bears 0
9:16 p.m.: Herbert sees his completion streak end at 15 after Khalid Kareem nearly picks off his attempted throw to Donald Parham. Dicker is taking the field.
9:12 p.m.: Palmer returns to the game after hopping to the locker room with an apparent knee injury. He'll be hoping to get involved in the action further, especially as Herbert continues to skewer Chicago's defense apart. He's up to 14 straight completions to start today's game.
9:09 p.m.: INTERCEPTION! Bagent delivers a present to the Chargers' defense, handing Ja'Sir Taylor a gift after some miscommunication with his intended target, D.J. Moore. Los Angeles is on the ascendancy.
Ja'Sir Taylor with the pick for the @Chargers!
— NFL (@NFL) October 30, 2023
📺: #CHIvsLAC on NBC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/afiiMv70VD pic.twitter.com/wrG2HrW7G1
9:06 p.m.: Roschon Johnson sees the ball slip out of his grasp while running downhill. However, he recovered his fumble, maintaining possession as Chicago works to open its scoring account.
End of first quarter: Chargers 14, Bears 0
8:57 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN! Simi Fehoko evades start cornerback Jaylon Johnson on the pick play and reels in Herbert's throw to double Los Angeles' lead. Strong showing by J-Herbo thus far; he's 11-of-11 for 120 yards and two touchdowns in the opening frame.
TD @Simi_Fehoko! @Chargers up by two scores in the 1st quarter.
— NFL (@NFL) October 30, 2023
📺: #CHIvsLAC on NBC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/afiiMv70VD pic.twitter.com/oPHV1KYZg8
Chargers 14, Bears 0
8:54 p.m.: Ekeler may lurk beneath the treetops. But he's finding all sorts of space in the flat, again picking up gobs of yardage after fielding short pass from Herbert. The Bolts are inside the red zone.
8:49 p.m.: Herbert is in his duffel. He's slipping arrows left and right and just hit Palmer on the slant pattern with a dart. Palmer looked to have got his leg caught in the turf as he was brought down, however. He's writhing in pain on the turf.
8:33 p.m.: TOUCHDOWN! Austin Ekeler fields a screen play before laying waste to Chicago's defense and scampering into the end zone! Ekeler already showcased his elusiveness on one catch out in the flat. The second time proved fatal for the Bears' backline.
AUSTIN EKELER! His first receiving TD of the year 🙌
— NFL (@NFL) October 30, 2023
📺: #CHIvsLAC on NBC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/afiiMv70VD pic.twitter.com/e2Dsx2Kwck
Chargers 7, Bears 0
8:31 p.m.: Herbert fires a dot to Keenan Allen to move the chains for the first time tonight. It will be interesting to see how he adjusts to transitioning the ball into his throwing hand with the giant splint in his left.
8:27 p.m.: Bosa is back! Bursts through the line of scrimmage to put Bagent on his backside and wrap Chicago's opening drive up.
8:24 p.m.: First play from scrimmage sees Bagent place a feather into Darnell Mooney's lap. He picks up 41 yards in the blink of an eye. Mooney overcame Asante Samuel Jr.'s illicit contact to snag the pass. Good start for the rookie hurler.
.@tysbagent's first throw of the game!!!! 👀
— NFL (@NFL) October 30, 2023
📺: #CHIvsLAC on NBC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/afiiMv70VD pic.twitter.com/ZPiywJD8J8
8:23 p.m.: Cameron Dicker boots the ball to Venus Jones Jr and we're off the mark! Bagent and the Bears taking the field.
7:53 p.m.: Speaking of Bosa, looks like the Bolts star pass rusher is set to see an uptick in snaps this week. He's been playing with a fractured toe that he suffered in Los Angeles' Week 3 win over the Vikings. But it seems to be causing him less trouble than it had before.
.@jbbigbear arms look like a Halloween costume meant to give you muscles 💪😂
— NFL (@NFL) October 29, 2023
📺: #CHIvsLAC -- 8:20pm ET on NBC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/afiiMv70VD pic.twitter.com/SfhWyYu1Qb
7:51 p.m.: Some more context as Herbert decides to spurn the glove he usually sports on his left hand:
Herbert said he had a malfunction with the glove early in the Chiefs game. #Chargers tried to sew a 4X middle finger onto a 3X glove to fit over the splint. The glove finger ripped off on a handoff. So Herbert might be doing away with the glove altogether tonight. https://t.co/8u0DGWO38l
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) October 29, 2023
7:50 p.m.: Herbert's been dealing with a broken finger for much of the past few weeks. Looks like it's not bothering him too much this time around, however.
No glove on the left hand for Justin Herbert during warmups.
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) October 29, 2023
7:45 p.m.: Bagent looking promising in warmups. Will be interesting to see if he can keep the rhythm going while being chased by Joey Bosa, however.
Lettin' it fly in SoFi 🎯 pic.twitter.com/yuzxGNHGyE
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 29, 2023
7:30 p.m.: Tyson Bagent looking to add to his growing legacy. Justin Fields’ trade rumors are almost certain to swirl if he has another strong showing, especially under the bright lights of primetime.
7:10 p.m.: Palmer is active for tonight’s matchup. Should offer Justin Herbert an extra bit of support in the pass game.
6:50 p.m.: The inactive for Sunday’s game features a host of big names, including Justin Fields and Gerald Everett.
Inactives for #CHIvsLAC: pic.twitter.com/TeqwfRRjGS
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 29, 2023
our inactives for #CHIvsLAC
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) October 29, 2023
Gerald Everett
Jaylinn Hawkins
Elijah Dotson
Zack Bailey
Alex Erickson
Christopher Hinton
6:35 p.m.: Joshua Palmer doing some light warmup exercises about two hours before the game. He comes into Sunday's clash questionable with a knee injury.
6:15 p.m.: Many of those taking part in tonight's game are feeling the Halloween spirit. To be in touch with your inner child is always a good thing, I reckon:
Never fear, Kyler-Man is here 🕷️ pic.twitter.com/2BCLOLt1cH
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 29, 2023
Howdy, @NBAxJay1 🤠 pic.twitter.com/dpHjlL9SXj
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 29, 2023
iykyk pic.twitter.com/n8XqCIx6l3
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) October 29, 2023
halloweekend vibes 👻 pic.twitter.com/fMbwefq1a0
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) October 29, 2023
What channel is Bears vs. Chargers on today?
- Game: Chicago Bears vs. Los Angeles Chargers
- Date: Sunday, Oct. 29
- TV channel: NBC
- Live stream: Peacock, NBCSports.com, Fubo (U.S.) | DAZN (Canada)
Bears vs. Chargers will be aired on NBC, which has long held the broadcast rights to "Sunday Night Football."
Mike Tirico will lead the broadcast, serving as the game's play-by-play announcer. He'll be joined in the booth by Cris Collinsworth, who will offer occasional musings as a color analyst. Melissa Stark will provide updates from the sidelines.
Fans can also stream the game via Peacock or NBCSports.com with a subscription, along with Fubo, which offers a free trial.
Viewers in Canada can stream every NFL game via DAZN.
MORE: Meet Travis Bagent, arm wrestling world champion and Bears QB's dad
Bears vs. Chargers start time
- Date: Sunday, Oct. 22
- Start time: 8:20 p.m. ET
Sunday's clash between the Bears and the Chargers will kick off at 8:20 p.m. ET, the customary slot time for "Sunday Night Football." The game will be played at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, Cali.
Interconference foes, Chicago and Los Angeles haven't met in the Justin Herbert era. The last time the two sides faced off, Philip Rivers led the Bolts to a 17-16 victory, one capped off by a fourth-quarter Austin Ekeler score.