On his third NFL team in five seasons, Trey Lance finally looked like the player scouts envisioned when he was drafted No. 3 overall. Lance threw for 120 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Los Angeles Chargers over the Detroit Lions 34-7 on Thursday night in the Hall of Fame Game, kicking off the NFL’s preseason.
“Big night for Trey. Just played calm, cool, collected, ran the operation, threw the ball really well,” Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said.
The night began with a somber moment: a stadium-wide moment of silence for the four people killed earlier this week by a shooter who was targeting league headquarters in New York. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell told NBC he had visited a league employee wounded in the attack and said the man is improving.
Security was noticeably tighter around Tom Benson Stadium and the Pro Football Hall of Fame Village.
Lance, who started just five games across four NFL seasons due to injuries and depth-chart battles, completed 13 of 20 passes before giving way to rookie DJ Uiagalelei. His night featured a deft 5-yard touchdown throw to tight end Will Dissly on fourth-and-2 and a 15-yard strike to KeAndre Lambert-Smith just before halftime.
The Chargers capitalized early after recovering a fumble on the opening kickoff at the Lions 28. Lance’s first TD pass put Los Angeles up 7-0.
Moments later, undrafted rookie cornerback Nikko Reed stepped in front of Kyle Allen’s sideline throw, returning it 60 yards to the Lions 6. Running back Kimani Vidal punched it in from the 2-yard line to extend the lead.
Detroit’s first score came on a 3-yard run by Craig Reynolds after Allen led the Lions to the Chargers 23. But Allen was picked off again, this time by Tony Jefferson. Lance then guided the Chargers downfield, capped by his second touchdown toss for a 21-7 halftime lead.
Vidal added another short rushing score late in the fourth quarter, and Cameron Dicker made two of three field-goal attempts, missing from 50 yards when his kick hit the left upright.
Detroit coach Dan Campbell held out stars including Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery, and Penei Sewell. The Lions, who won a franchise-record 15 games last season before a quick playoff exit, also rested their top two draft picks.
Allen, battling Hendon Hooker for the backup quarterback role, finished 9 of 14 for 72 yards with two interceptions. Hooker also tossed a pick and has now thrown just nine passes across two NFL seasons.
Detroit’s special teams had a night to forget. Jakobie Keeney-James muffed a punt inside the 10-yard line in the third quarter, and the Chargers recovered at the 5, eventually settling for a field goal.
Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson, who had 7½ sacks in just five games last season before a leg injury, told NBC during the broadcast he’s eager for Week 1 against Green Bay at Lambeau Field. Before kickoff, he signed autographs for Lions fans in attendance.
The weekend festivities continue Saturday, when cornerback Eric Allen, defensive end Jared Allen, tight end Antonio Gates, and wide receiver Sterling Sharpe will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
For the Chargers, it was a strong start to the Jim Harbaugh era. After leading Los Angeles to a six-win improvement and a playoff berth last season, Harbaugh saw his new quarterback — and former No. 3 overall pick — finally look the part on football’s biggest preseason stage.
