Chargers Saints Week 8 NFL Schedule

Jr. Writer

After the Bolts went through their normal warmup period at the beginning of Wednesday's practice, the team first huddled up as a group.

At the center of it was Chargers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh and quarterback Justin Herbert, both of whom addressed the team.

"We were talking about the tempo for practice," Herbert said Wednesday. "Usually it's a quick break where we huddle everyone up and say, 'Let's be sharp, focused.'

"But today was just talking about the tempo and making sure everyone was following the right guidelines," Herbert added.

The team got back to work Wednesday at The Bolt less than 48 hours after Monday night's loss, with the focus now on a short week ahead of their battle against the Saints.

And after multiple looks at the tape since then, the overall feeling around the team is a positive one.

Harbaugh's takeaway from this past Monday saw the good in the performance, as well as things the group could use to build as the season progresses.

"It was understandable to be singing with the choir with, 'Woulda, coulda, shoulda. If this, if that,'" Harbaugh said. "It took watching it three, four times both sides of the ball to turn to, 'We were better, we got better.'

"There was a lot of great plays, we made plays and played good," Harbaugh added. "There was a lot of positives."

The message was echoed by others like wide receiver Simi Fehoko, who mentioned that although the loss was a loss, the focus now shifts on trying to turn those plays in the Bolts direction.

"Especially after watching it, a couple plays go our way and it's a whole different story, we're up two, three scores. I think for us, being able to make those plays and flip them so they go in our favor," Fehoko said. "We found positivity in what we did and how we can grow and try to make sure those things don't happen in the future.

"I think that's the main thing for us going forward," Fehoko added. "Obviously it's frustrating, a loss is a loss no matter how you spin it, especially a close one like that."

On the offensive side of the ball, the group was able to take away from some of the shortcomings of getting the ball in the end zone.

And on some occasions, it came down to just not making one more play.

"That was really the story," Harbaugh said. "Just a couple of things we would've made gone better would've been a lot more productive."

Herbert added: "That's on us as an offense, to execute the plays we know we can run. It wasn't our day unfortunately but it's not going to stop us from watching the film, getting better from it, learning and moving on. There's a lot of things we can correct and clean up, but there's a lot to look forward to as well."

Similar was said about the defensive side of the ball as well.

The Bolts held the Cardinals to 17 points, but the team pointed to a couple of different areas that could be improved heading into Week 8.

"A thing here or there. We didn't tackle as well as we've had," Harbaugh said. "We dedicated a little bit more to coverage based on the younger corners. But want to tackle better like we had been doing. Don't want to give up a big play.

"Overall, I thought the defense holding a team to 17 points is pretty darn good," Harbaugh added. "Winning effort."

The next chance to try and bounce back comes on Sunday, against a Saints team that has lost five straight after winning their first two games of the season.

"I think they've been good. Really solid, really effective team," Harbaugh said. "They have scored and put points on the board. Got a great back, great quarterback. Defense has played well and turned the ball over. Playing good on special teams. Really solid ball club and they'll be a big challenge for us this week."

Herbert added: "I know they've had a few injuries, but the guys that have stepped up have made big plays as well … we got a healthy respect for them, for sure."

And until then heading into the game, the focus on improving remains the same.

"It's getting better at one thing at a time, all the time," Harbaugh said. "That's the mindset. Better, better, better. Improving, improving, improving. That's what we're looking for."