Bolts Bounce Birds

The San Diego Chargers beat the Atlanta Falcons in overtime, 33-30.  The Chargers scored on their opening possession after Melvin Gordon took the ball into the end zone for a two-yard touchdown.  The run was set up two plays prior by a 49-yard gain from Philip Rivers to Tyrell Williams.  The score then became 7-3 after the Falcons kicked a field goal on their first possession of the game.  Four plays after a San Diego turnover, Matt Bryant kicked a chip shot field goal to make it 7-6, San Diego.  Josh Lambo tacked on three to the Bolts’ lead after kicking a 40-yard field goal.  The Falcons capped off a seven-play, 75-yard drive with a touchdown to take the lead for the first time on the day.  The Falcons scored again after the Bolts’ first punt of the day.  Tevin Coleman ran off right tackle for a 30-yard touchdown and 20-10 lead.  Atlanta scored their third touchdown in a row after Vic Beasley forced a Chargers fumble which Adrian Clayborn recovered and took into the end zone.  The Chargers got on the board with just over a minute left in the first half after Melvin Gordon scored his second touchdown of the day.  Tyrell Williams led all receivers with 113 yards at the half.

After trading punts, the Chargers scored the first points of the third quarter thanks to a field goal by Lambo.  Lambo’s 37 yarder brought the score within seven, 27-20 in favor of the Falcons.  Although Atlanta assembled a long drive that extended into the fourth quarter, Joey Bosa’s second sack of the game on second down contributed to a defensive hold that only ended up in three points for the Falcons.  The Bolts tightened the score by three after Gordon scored his third touchdown of the day.  Gordon capped off a 15-play, 75-yard drive with a five-yard receiving touchdown.  While the Falcons were driving downfield,Denzel Perryman intercepted a pass from Ryan to give possession to his offense with just under four minutes left in the game.  The interception was Perryman’s first of his career.  From the drive off the interception, the Chargers rallied downfield and ended up kicking a field goal to tie the game, 30-30.  While the Falcons got in position to kick a game-winning field goal, the attempt was no good and the game went to overtime.

The Falcons won the overtime coin toss and chose to receive.  Their drive got to the Atlanta 45 after the Bolts defense stopped Ryan on a QB sneak on 3rd-and-1.  However, the Falcons went for it on 4th-and-1 and were stopped, therefore turned the ball over on downs.  After taking over on the Atlanta 43, the Bolts moved the chains to the Atlanta 27.  Josh Lambo came out to try a 42-yard field goal and made it to win.