Despite missing a handful of offensive weapons late in the game, Joe Flacco helped lead his squad to a much-needed victory on Sunday afternoon. (Getty)
Final
San Diego Chargers 3-13-7-3 — 26
Baltimore Ravens 6-7-6-10 — 29
It wasn’t perfect. It wasn’t exactly pretty. But it was a win and that’s all the Baltimore Ravens cared about on Sunday afternoon.
Justin Tucker connected on the game-winning field goal as time expired to give the Ravens their second victory of the season, defeating the San Diego Chargers at home. Tucker, naturally, broke into a game-winning dance. As you do:
Justin Tucker broke out his version of Drake’s “Hotline Bling” dance.
“Shout out to Drake,” he said.
Tucker’s kick was set up by some fantastic late-game play by Joe Flacco who finished the game with 319 passing yards, a touchdown pass and run, despite losing a handful of his biggest offensive weapons. Steve Smith, who notched 82 yards on five receptions, left the game with what appeared to be an Achilles injury in the second half.
Meanwhile, Philip Rivers and his arm continue to be absolutely unbelievable this season. The San Diego quarterback notched 301 yards through the air and threw three touchdown passes, including a 70-yard strike to Keenan Allen.
Click here for a full box score of the matchup and read on for some of the game’s most exciting, down-to-the-wire moments;
Joe Flacco – Rusher Extraordinaire
Philip Rivers. Malcom Floyd.
SEVENTY-YARD TOUCHDOWN.
Oh boy. #SDvsBAL t.co/jaJeM31L0X
Joe Flacco can do it all – even set up his own touchdown runs.
The Ravens QB drove his team to the one-yard line on a pass to Jeremy Ross and then put the ball in the end zone himself with a sneak up the middle. That’s become a bit of a trend for Flacco this season.
Just over four minutes left, your move Baltimore defense.
Rivers, Floyd. Rinse & Repeat
Floyd’s 70-yard touchdown was the longest of his career. #SDvsBAL
So, that’s pretty good right.
Philip Rivers and Malcom Floyd connected for their second touchdown of the day to put the Chargers back in control late in the third quarter. Rivers arm is becoming the stuff of legend this season. Seriously, watch this play:
Philip Rivers. Malcom Floyd.
SEVENTY-YARD TOUCHDOWN.
Oh boy. #SDvsBAL t.co/jaJeM31L0X
Another Rivers TD & the Chargers Take a 3-PT Lead into Halftime
Philip Rivers doesn’t care what the clock says. Nine seconds left until halftime? Plenty of time to throw a touchdown pass. That’s exactly what he did, connecting on his second toss into the end zone with just nine seconds ahead of the break.
Rivers found Keenan Allen for the strike, capping off a drive that was kept alive by the continued miscues of the Baltimore defense. A pass interference call allowed the Chargers to keep marching down the field and because this is the Philip Rivers of this season, he finished with another touchdown pass.
Crockett Gilmore – Best Name & First Baltimore TD
TOUCHDOWN CROCKETT GILLMORE!
After Joe Flacco’s quarterback sneak TD was called off following a false start, the Baltimore QB opted to find the end zone a different way, connecting with Crockett Gilmore for a three-yard strike. Check it out:
The play capped off an 80-yard, 11-play drive to give the Ravens back the lead.
Rivers to Floyd Put the Chargers Up in the Second
Philip Rivers’ arm continues to be the driving force of the San Diego offense as the QB found Malcom Floyd for a TD to give the squad a four-point lead in the second quarter.
The play didn’t just give the Chargers a lead, it also set a bit of Floyd-related history:
Baltimore had forced a fumble on the play before the TD, but was unable to recover. In other words, the Ravens defense is still struggling.
Steve Smith Continues to Do Steve Smith Things
Ice up, son.
Steve Smith snatching footballs out of mid-air for 46-yard gains.
#SDvsBAL t.co/n67xAPivul
While the Chargers and the Ravens exchanged field goals throughout the opening 15 minutes, Steve Smith continued to make fans question why exactly he’s retiring at the end of the season.
The Baltiore wideout was dominant in the early goings of Sunday’s game, showcasing his undeniable skill and adding a little talk on the sidelines as well. Don’t go Steve.
Game Preview
The San Diego Chargers need a win. The Baltimore Ravens need a win. Only one team can win. That makes this both an incredibly important Sunday for both squads and a potentially very fun Sunday for fans of whoever actually walks off the field with a victory.
The key for the Chargers is getting something out of the running game which, so far this season, has been relatively non-existant. As a team, San Diego has rushed for just 610 total yards with Melvin Gordon leading the way with 328 yards on 85 carries.
Philip Rivers can’t do everything on his own when it comes to the offense and, so far, that’s exactly what he’s been doing. Rivers has been consistently attempting over 50 passes a game and that’s an almost absurd number.
If San Diego is going to turn this season around, the Chargers need to find some kind of ground game and give Rivers a bit of a break.
