See which Chargers made the grade in Saturday’s rout of New England – elcajon newson Elcajon News only

Nick Canepa grades the Chargers following Saturday’s 40-7 win over the Patriots in Foxboro, Mass.:

Quarterbacks:  A

A turkey shoot. Battling no pass rush, Justin Herbert was sharp and clean, and now finds himself entering the playoffs for a second time.  Up 37-7, he was wisely was removed for Taylor Heinicke. He was good at making a butt-kicking look easy.

Running backs: B

J.K. Dobbins (knee) returned OK from the IR. A good thing, what with solid No. 2 back Gus Edwards out with an ankle injury. Dobbins ran hard when called on, which wasn’t often. Hassan Haskins can catch out the backfield, and block.

Receivers: B

Quentin Johnston, as usual, had a drop on his first attempt — and one play later, as not expected, Ladd McConkey dropped a first down throw (but not a habit with him), then got good, catching that score, and then another to make it 27-7. Derius Davis made a marvelous end zone catch for the first TD. Johnston, a marvelous athlete, had a big first down on a fourth-and-3 moments later, leading to Davis’s TD. Stone Smartt, suddenly the TE, can block, too. Joshua Palmer made plays.

Offensive line: A

These guys still have to work on their run blocking, if it’s possible, but they were really good against a bad pass-rushing front. Rookie Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater form one of the great tackle duos in the sport.

Defensive line: B-

The Pats, being behind, gave up on the run early. But this is a stout unit.

Linebackers: B+

Joey Bosa was active, as he can be when healthy. Khalil Mack applied some pressure, as did Tuli Tuipolotu. Mack then got a sack, and a tip. Bud Dupree had a sack.

Secondary: A-

Starting safety Elijah Molden returned from his time in the nurse’s office with a knee, limped before the game, came out in the third quarter, went back in, came back out and was put in a cart. On the Pats’ first series, Molden helped knock fine rookie QB Drake Maye out of the game with a head injury; he returned in the second quarter. Junior Colson made a large rookie boo-boo, hitting a sliding Maye late. Derwin James recovered a bad pitch, leading to a TD, and later had a big sack, then another. Everyone was clueless on the free-play, wounded-duck touchdown.

Special teams: A-

Derius Davis had a long kickoff return called back by two (count ‘em) penalties. Cameron Dicker The Kicker had four field goals. Punter JK Scott had little to do.

Coaching: A

Jim Harbaugh took a lifeless lump of clay and turned it into a playoff team. Called an early timeout on a punt? Not good. Harbaugh could have used it at the end of the half. Good choices on fourth downs.

Next opportunity — at Las Vegas: B

The Raiders blew it when they won a game, knocking them out of the Shedeur Sanders NFL Draft Derby.