Game Recap: Week 7 San Diego Chargers v Atlanta Falcons

Chargers win in overtime 33-30.

What a game this one was, a tough battle in which both teams pushed each other to the limit. The Chargers eventually came from behind to win this with a field goal in overtime.

The first quarter started off with the Chargers walking down the field in a 4-minute drive, that ended with a Melvin Gordon rushing touchdown from 2 yards out. Phillip Rivers was very good in this game, accurately making reads and delivering the ball to his receivers. The rest of the quarter consisted of the Chargers moving the ball, but having to go three and out. The Falcons didn’t have much more luck, having to settle for two field goals for their troubles.

The second quarter was explosive for both offences; a combined 31 points were scored in the second quarter. The Falcons looked dangerous moving the ball around the field, Matt Ryan found a wide open Jacob Tamme for an 8-yard touchdown. Later in the quarter Tevin Coleman gashed through the Chargers defense to score a 30 yard rushing touchdown. It was at this point in the game that the Chargers tried to make a comeback, only for Vic Beasley to sack Rivers and force a fumble in which the Falcons scooped it up and scored. The pressure from the Falcons was exceptional today, constantly forcing Rivers to check down or pass under pressure. Melvin Gordon did score another rushing touchdown, to bring the score back at half time. Yet going into the half the Falcons were leading 27-17. As a side note Julio Jones at half time was over 100 receiving yards, he had another huge game today, and looked dominate.

The third quarter saw the Chargers defence came alive, forcing Ryan into difficult throws and forcing a number of three and out’s. The only score game from a Lambo field goal to bring the Chargers back within 7 points. Joey Bosa looks like an absolute force in the NFL, constantly beating blockers and pushing Ryan out of the pocket. He recorded another two sacks today, and is on his way to become defensive rookie of the year, health permitting.

Both of these teams came out firing in the fourth quarter, the Falcons had to settle for an early field goal. And the Chargers scored the next touchdown, through the ever consistent Melvin Gordon. Rivers threw Gordon a lovely 5-yard touchdown pass. It looked like the Falcons just had to keep the ball and could walk away with the win. Insert Denzel Perryman who intercepted Ryan, and enabled his offence to walk down the field, kick a field goal and set up overtime. Matt Ryan and Julio tried to move the ball as far down field as they could, to help their kicker Matt Bryant, yet Julio wasn’t able to haul in a pass from Ryan that would have enabled Bryant to kick the goal. Bryant took a 58-yard kick to win the game but hit the posts.

Overtime saw the Falcons go three and out, having the punt the ball away. Again this was due to the Chargers brilliant defence in the second half of the game. As the Chargers got the ball, a collective breath was held on the Chargers side line, so many times this season they have lost close games in the fourth quarter. But to the Falcons dismay, the Chargers proceeded to get within field goal range and kick the winning goal.

This was a fantastic game by the Falcons, but they just couldn’t stop Rivers and the offensive roll that he was commanding. Julio Jones looked fantastic as usual, finishing the day with 9 receptions for 174 yards. One of the problems for the Falcons was their inability to get their two headed running attack going. In the past few weeks both Coleman and Freeman have combined for over 300 yards on the ground and air, today they only managed around 170 all purpose yards. A lot of this had to do with Coleman going down in the second half with a hamstring injury, and he did not return. Whilst this is still a very gallant effort, it was evident that the Chargers had come in with a game plan to stop Coleman and Freeman. A tough loss for the Falcons, but look for them to bounce back next week against a Packers team that is definitely not at its best at the moment.

Whilst on the other side of the ball, the Chargers will be ecstatic after this win. Melvin Gordon looks to be a true featured back, finishing the day with two rushing touchdowns, 68 rushing yards, as well as one receiving touchdown and 53 receiving yards. Phillip Rivers again showed why he should be in the conversation as an elite quarterback, he is playing with receivers that at the start of the season were buried deep in the depth chart, and he is still throwing for over 300 yards in the majority of games. This offence is powerful, considering the number of injuries that have had to absorb.

The defensive unit for the Chargers kept them in this game, as well as forced the game into over time. The play of Joey Bosa, Denzel Perryman and Melvin Ingram cannot be underestimated, whilst they have suffered a number of injuries in their secondary, their ability to rush the passer as well as shut down the run game was exemplary. This win keeps the season alive for the Chargers, and also keeps things interesting in what is now a hotly contested AFC West.