What went wrong with San Diego Chargers in the 2011-12 season – NFL Special (Part II)
Continued from part I...
Against Miami Dolphins
Chargers had won two of their three games and all the victories came on their home field.
After beating Kansas City Chiefs, they hosted Miami Dolphins and the home field advantage continued to serve their interest.
Both the teams managed a touchdown each in the first quarter, but Dolphins’ offence was restricted to scoring only field goals after that.
Dolphins managed one field goal in each of the last three quarters whereas Chargers grabbed six points in the second quarter, 10 in the third and three in the final to get the victory.
The final score settled at 26-16.
Rivers finally got command over his throws and spent the game without throwing any interception.
He gained 307 passing yards and a touchdown.
At Denver
Chargers were on fire and it looked as if they would achieve the long-sought goal of grabbing the title this season.
After winning three of their first four games, they travelled to play Denver Broncos and recorded their first road win of the season.
Broncos’ fresh quarterback, Tim Tebow, who would go on to become a sensation at the end of the season, had almost spoiled the day for Chargers, but they somehow managed to stay ahead.
Broncos were leading by one point after the end of the first quarter, but Chargers utilised the second quarter to the maximum.
At the start of the quarter, Broncos scored a field goal to increase the lead to four points. However, Chargers scored two touchdowns and a field goal and ended the quarter with a lead of 13 points.
After the scoreless third quarter, Tim Tebow shined in the final and scored two touchdowns, but Chargers survived the rally and got two field goals in the quarter to secure the victory.
The final score settled at 29-24.
At New York
Chargers survived for a considerable period of time without having the quarterback, Philip Rivers, in his actual form.
After playing five games, they eventually had to pay the price for Rivers’ failures.
After winning three straight games, they travelled to play against New York Jets, and lost the game after a close encounter.
The Chargers were leading by 11 points when the second quarter ended, but the offence struggled miserably in the second half of the game and failed to initiate any scoring drive.
Jets capitalised on the advantage and got their offence running. They scored a touchdown in the third quarter and collected 10 points in the final to defeat the Chargers.
The final score settled at 27-21.
Chargers’ tight end, Randy McMichael, said after the game:
“It's our fault. You can ask any question you want to ask. The San Diego Chargers beat the San Diego Chargers. Nothing to do with the New York Jets. It's embarrassing."
At Kansas City
Chargers had earlier defeated the Chiefs, but it was the latter’s turn to host the former and take revenge.
Chiefs signalled vicious intentions early on in the game and collected 10 points in the first quarter without conceding any.
By the halftime, Chiefs were leading, 13-3.
Chargers scored three field goals in the third quarter and both the teams got a touchdown each in the final to level the score, 20-20, and force the game to overtime.
Chiefs somehow managed a field goal in the overtime and got the victory.
To be continued...
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