Chargers beat Giants, improve to 6-7
The San Diego Chargers defeated the New York Giants 37-14 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, CA. The Chargers improved to 6-7, and the Giants fell to 5-8.
The game remained close after the first quarter, with the only score being an incredible Philip Rivers 43-yard TD pass to WR Keenan Allen. The touchdown and extra point gave San Diego a 7-0 lead. In the second quarter, the Chargers pulled away, and the Giants were unable to recover the rest of the game.
To begin the second quarter, Charger kicker Nick Novak missed a field goal attempt from 41 yards, but an offsides penalty was called against the Giants. San Diego was given a second chance from five yards closer, and Novak nailed the 36-yard field goal to go up 10-0.
The Giants did not move the chains on their next drive, and the Chargers took advantage of a tired Giants defense. Rivers marched the Chargers down the field in an 11 play, 67-yard TD drive that lasted about six minutes. The final play was a 4-yard TD pass to Keenan Allen in the back left corner of the endzone. The TD and extra point put the Chargers ahead 17-0.
The Giants could not catch a break at the end of the second half. Instead of using the final four minutes to put together a decent drive, Giants RB Andre Brown fumbled the ball, and the Chargers recovered. With the fumble recovery, San Diego had excellent field position at the Giants 39-yard line. Rivers came up big again, and finished with a six-yard TD pass to RB Danny Woodhead. At halftime, the Chargers led 24-0.
New York finally got on the board to begin the third with a one-yard Peyton Hillis TD rush. However, the Chargers answered with a one-yard TD rush by RB Ryan Mathews on their next drive, and San Diego remained in the lead by 24 points.
Giants QB Eli Manning bled an 11 play, 86-yard TD drive into the fourth quarter to give the Giants a chance down 31-14 with 14:54 to go. The Giant defense failed to get a crucial stop on San Diego’s next drive, which ate about seven minutes from the clock, and ended in a Nick Novak 27-yard field goal to give the Chargers a 34-14 lead.
The Giant’s following drive ended in an Eli Manning sack, and Nick Novak capitalized with his third field goal of the day. The Chargers would win 37-14.
Charger QB Phillip Rivers had a monster game completing 21 of 28 passes for 249 yards and three touchdowns. His passer rating was 137.4. RB Ryan Mathews had 29 carries for 103 yards and one touchdown. WR Keenan Allen caught the ball three times for 59 yards and two touchdowns. All around offensive weapon Danny Woodhead had seven carries for 42 yards, and four receptions for 52 yards and a touchdown.
Giant QB Eli Manning completed 20 of 32 passes for 259 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. His passer rating was 72.3. RB Andre Brown had 16 carries for 81 yards, and RB Peyton Hillis had four carries for 11 yards and a touchdown. WR Hakeem Nicks had five receptions for 135 yards. TE Brandon Myers had four receptions for 26 yards and a touchdown.
Next game: The Chargers play at Denver (11-2) on Thursday night at 8:25 pm ET on the NFL Network. The Giants play Seattle (11-2) on Sunday at 1 pm ET on FOX.
Link to box score.
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