Novak misses, Prater converts as Broncos beat Chargers 16-13 in OT – NFL Recap Week 12
San Diego Chargers lost their sixth straight game succumbing to division rivals Denver Broncos 16-13 in a heart-pounding encounter at the Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego.
The game went to overtime with both teams neck to neck in regular time and looking for victory that will get them closer to the goal of confirming their spot in the playoffs. At the end, it took some luck and a silent prayer from quarterback Tim Tebow for Broncos to get their fourth straight victory trailing American Football Conference West leaders Oakland Raiders.
With the match poised at 13-13, both teams went into overtime looking for the win and at one point it seemed likely that Chargers will snap their five-game losing streak. The home crowd held its breath as Chargers kicker Nick Novak lined up to take a 53-yard field goal with 2:36 on the clock. Tebow was seen on cameras looking away from the play and praying.
Whatever he asked for worked as Novak’s kick went wide right and Broncos were still in the game. Tebow grabbed possession of the ball moving Broncos closer to Chargers end-zone and Matt Prater stepped up to send a 37-yard field goal through the bars, by giving the home side its sixth straight loss. The home crowd was stunned to silence, and their reaction was justified considering that it is the first time in 10 years that the losing streak is stretched to six.
"I might have said that. Or maybe a block. Maybe all of it," the Denver quarterback said with a laugh when asked what he prayed for.
"This is a special team, a special team when you have a bunch of guys that when things aren't going good we get closer instead of pulling apart," Tebow said. "The No. 1 reason we are like that is because we believe in each other, we believe in the coaching staff."
Tebow covered 143 yards completing nine of 18 attempted passes with just a single passing touchdown. The quarterback, however, created a new record for the most carries by a quarterback in a single game with 22 for 67 yards.
Chargers took the lead early in the first quarter with a 53-yard Nick Novak field goal his highest distance ever. The Chargers built on that lead in the second quarter with quarterback Philip Rivers sending a six yard pass to Antonio Gates for the touchdown to make it 10-0.
Broncos struck back with just 55 seconds left in the quarter as Tebow picked out Eric Decker from 18 yards to make it 7-10. This would be the last touchdown of the game.
Nick Novak scored his second field goal of the game from 25 yards in the third to make it 7-13 for Chargers at 9:30.
Denver Broncos then stepped up their game. Matt Prater got Broncos back to 10-13 late in the third from 41-yards. He then brought Broncos level with a minute left in regular time with another field goal for 24 yards.
In sudden death, both teams looked to their specialist kickers to get them the win. Novak failed in his duty missing a 53-yard attempt to send Chargers to victory while the Broncos converted theirs through Prater to continue their quest for the playoffs.
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