Chargers
run past the Redskins in overtime
The
question of the week at Chargers Park was whether or not
tight end Antonio Gates would play against the Washington
Redskins Sunday. Gates endured a painful afternoon, but
saved his best for crunch time.
His 24-yard catch on the first play of overtime set up
a 65-yard, game-winning touchdown run by LaDainian Tomlinson
that propelled the Bolts to a 23-17 victory at FedEx Field.
“Gates
was certainly less than 100 percent,” Chargers Head
Coach Marty Schottenheimer said. “Some people enjoy
my one play at a time mantra, and that’s what Antonio
did. He made the play that set up the game-winner.
Tomlinson’s overtime score was his third of the
day. He finished with 184 yards on 25 carries and also
caught six passes for 29 yards. LT had a steady afternoon
but also saved his best for last. It was his 32-yard touchdown
run with 3:29 remaining in the fourth quarter that helped
send the game to overtime.
“(Tomlinson’s)
penetrating power as an inside runner probably doesn’t
get the recognition that it deserves,” Schottenheimer
said. “It’s amazing what he can do.”
The
Chargers trailed throughout most of the afternoon but
thrived off of key stops late in the contest. Following
Nate Kaeding’s field goal fourth quarter field goal
that closed the gap to 17-10, the Chargers forced a three-and-out
to give their offense the ball back. Quarterback Drew
Brees was intercepted by Carlos Rogers to end the threat,
but another three-and-out by Washington kept it within
striking distance.
Following
Tomlinson’s game-tying touchdown run, Jamal Williams
and company delivered another stop to give San Diego a
chance to drive for the game-winning score in regulation.
But when Brees was intercepted by Shawn Springs at the
Chargers’ 30 yard line, they were called on again.
Washington
netted -4 yards on the play, and John Hall’s 52-yard
field goal attempt fell short, giving the Chargers yet
another life in overtime.
The
Bolts won the coin toss, and it took them just two plays
to find the end zone for the game-winning score.
“I couldn’t be prouder of this group,”
Schottenheimer said. “They battled to the finish.
We were able to make one more play than they did. Coach
(Joe) Gibbs’ team played their hearts out. You have
to give them credit. We just continued to battle.”
With
Gates not at full strength, the Chargers got help from
other sources. Wide receiver Eric Parker caught seven
passes for 98 yards. Keenan McCardell contributed five
receptions for 45 yards.
The
Chargers got on the board midway through the second quarter
when Parker picked up 13 yards on a reverse to set up
LaDainian Tomlinson’s 15th touchdown of the season.
LT’s run came from a yard out and gave the Bolts
their first lead of the day at 7-3.
The
Redskins had just four healthy receivers Sunday, but their
go-to guy stepped up his game. Santana Moss surpassed
1,000 yards on the season and posted six catches for 65
yards, including a 22-yard touchdown catch in the second
quarter.
Moss
also caught passes of 14 and 16 yards on a third-quarter
drive that set up a 13-yard touchdown run by Rock Cartwright
in the third quarter. Cartwright’s score put Washington
up 17-7.
The
Chargers entered the contest with an AFC-best 33 sacks
on the year but had little success getting to ‘Skins
quarterback Mark Brunell. Washington frequently kept eight
men in on pass protection to negate the rush. Linebacker
Steve Foley delivered San Diego’s lone sack of the
game, although a key Foley pressure forced an errant throw
on the play prior to Hall’s fourth-quarter miss.
“They
were aware of our pass rush and came up with something
to combat it,” linebacker Shawne Merriman said.
“They did a great job. You have to give them credit.”
Entering
Sunday’s game, kicker Nate Kaeding had missed just
one field goal on the season. The second-year pro had
his toughest day of the year, missing twice in the opening
half. Kaeding redeemed himself early in the fourth quarter
with a 48-yard boot that closed the gap to 17-10.
The
Bolts’ top-ranked rush defense again held one of
the game’s top backs in check. As a member of the
Denver Broncos, Clinton Portis posted four 100-yard games
against the Chargers, but the Pro Bowler was held to a
modest 87 yards on 29 carries and was kept out of the
end zone.
Much
to the pleasure of Schottenheimer, the Chargers also got
a solid performance out of their coverage units. The Redskins
averaged only 14.8 yards on four returns. Only one of
Mike Scifres’ five punts was returned, and Antonio
Brown gained just three yards on that attempt.
“I
think we played as well as we could have on defense and
on special teams,” Schottenheimer said. “I’m
pleased with the improvement. It was mandatory. You’re
going to win some ballgames when you play like we did
today in those areas.”
The
Chargers now head home for the next two weeks to host
the Raiders and Dolphins respectively. The Bolts improved
to 4-0 on their “new season” and 7-4 on the
year.
“I
don’t ever like to call a game a must win because
what do you do if you say that and lose?” Schottenheimer
said. “But this one was important, and we’re
thrilled to have it.”
see
actual aticle
By
Casey Pearce, Chargers.com
Sunday, November 27, 2005
L.T.
to the rescue
After
halftime in Landover, LaDainian Tomlinson made a case
for being the league's MVP. His 32-yard touchdown run
tied the game at 17 late in the fourth quarter, and his
41-yard scamper only 34 seconds into overtime gave San
Diego a stunning 23-17 victory at Washington. "I
believe with a certainty, in my opinion, he is the finest
running back I have ever seen in professional football,"
said San Diego coach Marty Schottenheimer, whose career
in the pros dates back to 1965. The Chargers (7-4) won
even though Tomlinson was limited to 37 yards in the first
half and Drew Brees was intercepted three times in the
fourth quarter. The Chargers were down 17-7 late in the
third quarter, but Nate Kaeding's 48-yard field goal pulled
them within seven. Brees' third interception in the final
minute of regulation almost cost San Diego the game, but
Washington's John Hall was wide right on a 52-yard field-goal
attempt. The Chargers won even though they lost the turnover
battle 3-0 and a hobbling Antonio Gates was held to three
catches for 39 yards. Tomlinson, who gave San Diego a
7-3 lead in the first quarter, wound up with 184 yards
and three touchdowns on 25 carries.
see
actual article
By
NFL.com staff, NFL.com
Sunday, November 27, 2005
