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What we learned: Maybe luck will be on their side this year. In 2019, the Chargers ranked 30th in jury luck and 32nd in fumble luck. They were 2-9 in one-score games, last on special teams and tied for last in turnover margin. They were an extremely unlucky team by just about every measure. But on Sunday, they caught a couple of breaks. A.J. Green was called for offensive pass interference with 11 seconds left on what wouldve potentially been the game-winning touchdown for the Bengals. And Cincinnati kicker Randy Bullock missed a 31-yard field goal with seven seconds left that would have tied it. It was a disjointed game, but the Chargers got standout performances from young players like defensive tackle Jerry Tillery and running back Joshua Kelley.

The offense didn't do much against the Bengals, but they will have to be better against the Chiefs this week. The defense could be special this season.

Did you notice all 12 of Casey Hayward's tackles Sunday were of the solo variety? That's a crazy stat for a guy who plays cornerback.

Best rookie debut: RB Joshua Kelley
Kelley, a fourth-round pick out of UCLA, rushed for 60 yards on only 12 carries -- one of which went for 26 yards -- and scored the Chargers' only touchdown. The performance was huge given Justin Jackson's departure because of a quad injury. Chargers coach Anthony Lynn admitted that his team probably would not have won the game if not for Kelley, which is in no way a stretch. Look for him to factor more prominently into the game plan -- healthy Jackson or not -- moving forward. -- Alden Gonzalez

Hey, it wasn't a masterpiece, but that's also the kind of game the Chargers have lost approximately 400 times in the past. They were due for some luck, received in the form of a shanked Randy Bullock field-goal attempt in the final minute of a 16-13 win. Tyrod Taylor was unspectacular but steady (this is pretty much the Tyrod Taylor experience in totality) and the defense forced two big turnovers, a welcome change from last year, when Los Angeles was too often on the wrong side of the takeaway battle. Melvin Ingram's fourth quarter interception on a Joe Burrow shovel pass was a thing of beauty. How many other 250-pound defensive ends can move like that and make that play?