Melvin Gordon scores first NFL touchdowns

Melvin Gordon finally has an NFL touchdown for the San Diego Chargers. The second-year running back found the end zone twice in the first half against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1.

Gordon staked the Chargers into 7-0 lead on the road against their bitter AFC West foe, using a second effort to power over the goal-line.

The NFL’s official site relayed a highlight of Gordon’s first-ever pro score:

Meanwhile, ESPN Stats & Info detailed just how long the former Wisconsin runner has been waiting to score six in the NFL:

Gordon added to that score with a six-yard scamper to cap an 80-yard drive in the second quarter, putting the Chargers ahead 13-3.

Gordon started just 12 games as a rookie in 2015, and is under to pressure to deliver more this season. The Bolts’ ground game definitely needs its primary ball-carrier to manage more than 3.5 yards per carry whenever he totes the rock.

Establishing true balance on offense can be the key to a playoff push for the Chargers. Quarterback Philip Rivers is still among the league’s elite, although an apparent knee injury to star wideout Keenan Allen will certainly make for tougher sledding in the AFC West.

Despite the weapons surrounding Rivers, the Chargers need to be able to grind out on the ground to both the move the chains and ease the pressure on the man under center.

Such balance is doubly important in an AFC West division loaded with premier pass-rushers. Leaving Rivers at the mercy of the likes of Justin Houston, Tamba Hali, Von Miller, DeMarcus Ware and Khalil Mack didn’t work last season.

It won’t work in 2016, either.

Gordon is off to a solid start against a favored and formidable Kansas City squad, but will need to keep running hard and working between the tackles to keep a ferocious KC pass rush on the ropes.