Justin Herbert and Ladd McConkey were the sparks in the Chargers' victory over the Saints

The crowd gasped. shouted Justin Herbert.

The sight of the Chargers' quarterback blocking a bone-shaking hit while running through had fans at SoFi Stadium holding their breath and nearby teammates rushing to his aid, but Herbert immediately jumped back up, reaching for the ball his right hand and yelled as he emphatically signaled the first down.

Herbert used both his arms and legs to lead the Chargers in the right direction in a 26-8 victory over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.

The quarterback threw for 279 yards and two touchdowns to Ladd McConkey and rushed for another 49 yards, including a career-high 38-yard run in the second quarter that seemed to set the stage for an offense still struggling to find its footing.

“It's like being around greatness every day,” Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said of Herbert.

After failing to score a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals last Monday, the Chargers stumbled early, failing to score on their first three drives. An errant snap on a punt gave the struggling Saints, who have lost six straight games, a two-point lead off a safety in the first quarter.

The Chargers had minus two yards of offense before Herbert dropped back and passed with 2:37 left in the first quarter. He scanned the field for open receivers and tucked the ball into his right arm as he ran around the right side of the line.

He outran Saints defensive lineman Khalen Saunders, punched past linebacker Willie Gay Jr. and lowered his shoulder as Saints safety Tyronn Mathieu threw the quarterback out of bounds.

Herbert rolled onto his back as he hit the grass. Undeterred, Herbert jumped up again, stared into the field and screamed.

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) receives a heavy hit from Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

“We all know he can run,” offensive lineman Bradley Bozeman said, “but not everyone respects it. “So it’s good to see.”

Teammates continued Herbert's competitive mentality. Safeties Alohi Gilman and Derwin James Jr. stood near the sideline where Herbert was pushed out of bounds, and they jumped toward the quarterback to cheer him on for his effort.

The defense's energy continued, keeping the Saints (2-6) out of the end zone.

Running back JK Dobbins fended off four would-be tacklers, including 324-pound defensive tackle Khalen Saunders, in a tough run to end the third quarter that was “the hardest (13) yard run I've ever seen.” type,” Harbaugh said.

Dobbins finished the game with 57 yards rushing on 17 carries and a touchdown in the second quarter, giving the Chargers a 9-5 lead going into halftime.

Khalen Saunders (50) of the Saints slows down Chargers running back JK Dobbins by pulling his jersey away. Dobbins finished with 57 yards on the ground.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

McConkey extended the lead in the second half with contested catches for both touchdowns.

In the fourth quarter, the second-round pick from Georgia jumped, spun in the air and tapped his toes near the end zone sideline before Saints safety Ugo Amadi had time to turn his head and see Herbert hurl a pass as he rolled left.

“You want to do your best for him,” McConkey said of Herbert. “He battled injuries at the start of the year and is still out there, so we just want to give everything for him because he gives everything for us.”

Herbert appeared well past the high ankle sprain he suffered in Week 2 when he sprinted down the field to catch McConkey on the rookie's 60-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter.

Showing his ability to threaten with short routes over the middle, something he had done particularly well earlier in the season, McConkey had the first 100-yard receiving game of his career. With 111 yards and those two touchdowns on six catches, McConkey becomes the first Chargers rookie since Keenan Allen in 2013 to record a 100-yard receiving game.

“For him to be able to play everywhere inside and outside, we have a real ballplayer on our hands,” said Herbert.

The Chargers scored a touchdown in the second half for the first time since Week 1. The second-half woes were a major problem for an offense that Herbert said was still finding its identity this week.

“It's about finding a way to win, whether it's in the air or on the ground,” Herbert said. “I thought we weathered the storm well, fought, stayed patient and made sure we were smart with the ball.”

Not everything Herbert did was smart. He admitted that when he watches the film of his career spree again this week, he will conclude that it would have been better to slip or go out.

“But if it wakes up the team,” Herbert said, “I’ll do anything for it.”