San Diego Chargers end losing streak with a 31-13 victory over Kansas City Chiefs – NFL Recap
San Diego Chargers got a welcome victory in Week 9 after three-game losing run as they beat Kansas City Chiefs 31-13 on Thursday, November 01, 2012 at Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California.
Chargers offence finally triggered after failing to score a touchdown in their last six quarters of playing time before this game.
Quarterback Philip Rivers could not have a much better start as he threw a touchdown pass in the opening drive of the game.
Rivers put up his highest-ever pass completion rate in a game by completing 90% of the passes. He finished the game with 18 of 20 for 220 yards and scored two touchdowns. According to The Associated Press, Rivers said:
"We didn't talk about it specifically, but we want to win for him every week, You play for a lot of things, but we play for our coach. I think that has been evident over the years when we have struggled. Game like this, wins like this can jump start us."
Chargers head coach Norv Turner has been under pressure from the fans to provide good results and this win will take a lot of heat off his chair.
On the other hand, Chiefs head coach Romeo Crennel is not such fortunate. His team has lost its fifth game in a row. During the postgame press conference, Crennel said:
"Similar to what's been happening throughout the course of this year, we shoot ourselves in the foot, We're in a hole and we have to fight our way out. It wasn't very good overall, but we're going to keep coaching and keep fighting and play our way out of
it."
Things could not have gone much worse for the Chiefs as they also lost their best player during this game. Running back Jamaal Charles left the field in the final quarter after injuring his neck.
Chiefs offence gave away four turnovers in the game, taking their season tally to the league high 29 turnovers.
Chargers scored in the opening drive with a 14-yard pass from Rivers to tight end Antonio Gates and finished the first quarter 7-0.
A field goal from kicker Nick Novak took the lead to 10-0 in the second quarter, but Chiefs reduced the lead later on in with a 49-yard field goal by kicker Ryan Succop as first half ended with 3-10.
Succop was active again in the third quarter as he scored another field goal in the third quarter to take the score to 6-10.
Final quarter saw Chargers completely dominating the game as Chiefs offence made mistakes at regular intervals.
Rivers scored his second touchdown which was followed by fumble returned to the end zone by linebacker Shaun Phillips.
Linebacker Demorrio Williams then intercepted a pass and returned it for 59 yards to score another touchdown, taking the score to 31-6.
Chiefs got the consolation touchdown with less than five minutes remaining in the clock after running back Shaun Draughn ran six yards to reach the end zone.
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