San Diego Chargers get 27-17 win over AFC West rivals New York Jets – NFL Week 16 Recap
The stage was set for New York Jets rookie quarterback Greg McElroy to prove his worth. However, things did not go according to the plan as San Diego Chargers edged out a 27-17 victory in Week 16 on Sunday, December 23, 2012, at MetLife
Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Chargers defence charged on to McElroy as the quarterback was sacked 11 times after getting first professional start of his career.
As many as seven players took McElroy down during the game which included defensive end Kendell Reyes who scored 3.5 sacks.
Linebacker Shaun Phillips got 2.5 sacks while defensive end Corey Liuget added two to his name. Head Coach Norv Turner was jubilant with the way defence put up pressure on the opposing team. According to the Associated Press, Turner said:
"A lot of those sacks weren't where they beat a guy quick and went. It was guys staying relentless and staying after the quarterback. You're playing a young quarterback. You'd like to be able to pressure him and disrupt it."
Chargers sparkling performance come after both Turner and general manager A.J. Smith have been deeply criticised in the media for the team’s lack of success. The team got 11 sacks for the first time since the 1986 season.
Meanwhile, Jets will end a season with losing record for the first time under head coach Rex Ryan.
Jets’ seventh round pick McElroy has become the first quarterback to take 11 sacks since David Norrie of Dallas Cowboys in 1987. He completed 14 out of 24 passes for 185 yards
Both quarterbacks Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow were active for the game, but none of them were given a chance to take a snap.
For Chargers, the offence remained modest as quarterback Philip Rivers finished the game with 11 of 22 for 165 yards and scored two touchdowns.
The game also saw tight end Antonio Gates catching 82nd touchdown-pass of his career, tying the franchise record. Giving his views about Gates, Turner said:
"The San Diego Chargers have had unbelievable production in the passing game with great players in the passing game. He's a very special person and a very special player. I've been fortunate to be around Hall of Fame guys who have done
some incredible things. He's right up there with them."
Chargers got the lead early in the game with wide receiver Micheal Spurlock returning a punt 63 yards for a touchdown.
However, Jets got the lead with two consecutive touchdowns by running back Shonn Greene to end the first quarter at 14-7. Chargers reduced the lead with a field goal in the second half to take the score to 10-14.
Chargers then went on to score two touchdowns in the third quarter as the score went 24-14.
The final quarter saw both teams scoring a field goal each, and the Chargers easily won the game 27-17.
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