Baltimore Ravens edge out San Diego Chargers in overtime for a 16-13 win in Week 12 – NFL Recap
Baltimore Ravens made a stunning comeback after being 3-13 down to beat San Diego Chargers 16-13 in overtime in Week 12 on Sunday, November 25, 2012, at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California.
A field goal with just a minute remaining in overtime was enough for Ravens to seal a win in an emphatic game that marked the team’s eighth win in last nine games.
Ravens are now standing on top of American Football Conference (AFC) North with a 9-2 record.
For Chargers, it was a heartbreaking defeat as they lost the game after having the lead most of the time.
Chargers are still at second place in AFC West, despite posting a meagre 4-7 record and their chances for reaching the postseason are rapidly fading away.
With less than two minutes remaining in the regulation, Ravens running back Ray Rice made a crucial 29-yard run and gave his team a chance to save the game by setting up a field goal. According to the Associated Press, Rice said:
"It was just total will. Once I made the first guy miss when I cut back across the grain, I actually saw the defence had to flip their hip and I kept eyeing the first down. I looked and said, 'Should I keep running to the sideline or should I just keep trying
to get up field?' And that's what I did. I just kept getting up field.”
Chargers had the chance to get their first victory against a team with a winning record this season. However, the team continued the trend of losing after giving up a hefty lead.
Apart from the game-saving drive by Ravens in the final minutes, Chargers defence actually had a very good game as they kept Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco from freeing his arms and making strides. During the postgame interview, Chargers cornerback Quentin
Jammer said:
"I don't know what to say. A play like that should never happen. You can't give them a chance to execute that play. But we had some breakdowns, for sure."
The game got off to a slow start as both Chargers and Ravens offences were forced to battle against tough defensive line.
Chargers got the lead early in the second quarter after Philip Rivers threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Malcom Floyd which was followed by a field goal from kicker Nick Novak. The first half ended with Chargers leading by 10-0.
Ravens got their first points of the game in the third quarter with a 43-yard field goal from kicker Justin Tucker and finished the quarter with 3-10 score line.
Chargers then went up 13-3 in the final quarter with another field goal. However, their joy was soon lost as Flacco got a touchdown for Ravens which was followed by a last-second field goal that tied the score 13-13, forcing the game to overtime.
Ravens got the only points of the overtime with Tucker getting a 38-yard field goal to get the victory.
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