Chargers at Redskins final score: Washington edges San Diego in overtime, 30-24
By Josh Sanchez
The San Diego Chargers and Washington Redskins both needed a win today to keep pace with the leaders in their division, and you could see the urgency from both teams in a tight contest. In the end, it was the Redskins who had their hands raised in victory, 30-24, in overtime.
Washington came out slow, as they have been doing all season long, but they were able to use an early second half charge to make it a game. After trailing at the half, the Redskins were able to enter the fourth quarter all tied up before a ten point run gave the team a 24-14 advantage midway through the final quarter.
Philip Rivers, who was struggling throughout the game, was able to keep the Chargers in the game by hitting rookie wide receiver Keenan Allen on a 19-yard strike to pull within three, but they needed a defensive stop to have a chance to win.
The Redskins were looking to run out the clock, but they inexplicably through the ball on a fourth down that stopped the clock and gave San Diego to drive down the field for the tie or win.
On a fourth-and-two, Allen was able to get wide open once again and Rivers hit him to keep the drive alive.
Rivers continued to drive the Chargers down the field with less than a minute ago, and they had the added benefit of two timeouts in their back pocket. With thirty seconds to go, Rivers dumped the ball off to running back Danny Woodhead, who made an incredible effort and dove for the pylon. The ruling on the field was a touchdown, which would have given the Chargers the late lead.
After reviewing the play, the ruling on the field was overturned and the Chargers were moved to the one yard line.
With the two timeouts still remaining, San Diego was able to use their entire playbook. Unfortunately for the Chargers, they were unable to find the endzone and settled for the field goal to force overtime.
Washington won the coin toss in overtime and Robert Griffin III was able to drive the Redskins down the field and get them in scoring range with a number of clutch throws on crucial downs. To cap off the game, running back Darrell Young was able to get into the endzone for his third touchdown of the game to give Washington the overtime victory.