Chargers News: Bears Bounce Back, Bolts Falter In Primetime
Chicago Bears 22, San Diego Chargers 19
The San Diego Chargers (2-7) dropped their fifth straight game in similar fashion as many of the other losses on the season. Yet another embarrassing performance on a national primetime game, as the Chargers let another lead slip away late in a sloppy game for both teams. The Bears (3-5) missed two field goals, threw a pick six and yet still came out on top as the Chargers simply can’t find ways to win games.
Same stuff, different week as the injuries piled up again. The list of Chargers out for this game was too long to put in here, but some key injuries happened during the game.
Malcolm Floyd went down early after diving for a deep ball and landing awkwardly. No word on how serious the injury is but if it does end his season it would be a tough way for Floyd to end his career. That being said, he’s had a great, long career with the Chargers and wish him the best. Hope he can bounce back.
Jason Verrett was locking down Bears WR Alshon Jeffery all first half but pulled up with a hamstring or quad injury and did not return.
First Quarter:
The Bears got the ball to start the game and drove down fairly easily into field goal range but kicker Robbie Gould shanked a 47-yard attempt.
Philip Rivers then orchestrated a great 8-play drive, hitting Gates, Woodhead and Melvin Gordon had some nice carries. The drive was capped off with Rivers finding a wide-open Danny Woodhead from 14 yards out to make it a 7-0 game. The offense displayed on this drive would evaporate faster than a water droplet in Death Valley.
Alien Incoming! ? #CHIvsSD pic.twitter.com/EEp5K2fbH0
— #CHIvsSD (@Chargers) November 10, 2015
Danny Woodhead was great on the night, finishing with a team high 6 receptions for 78 yards and rushed for another 33 on 8 carries.
On the Bears next possession, they were driving again but Melvin Ingram came in with the sack-fumble on Jay Cutler that was recovered by the Bolts. Ingram had 5 tackles on the night.
Second Quarter:
After a Dontrelle Inman fumble gave the ball back to the Bears, the best play for the Chargers all night happened. Jay Cutler was attempting to find Alshon Jeffery on the sideline but instead, found Jason Verrett who took it 68-yards back to the house.
On the extra point, the hold by Scifres was off and the kick was no good, 13-0 Chargers.
The Bears would answer back on the next drive. Jason Verrett would leave on the first play of this drive. Cutler found TE Martellus Bennett 1-yard out to cut the lead to 6.
Josh Lambo would add a 31-yard field goal before half as the Chargers took a 16-7 lead into half time.
Third Quarter:
The Chargers couldn’t find any offense in the second half and the Bears owned the time of possession
in the second half as they kept pounding away with rookie running back Jeremy Langford. After Robbie Gould missed his second field goal of the night, the Chargers could not take advantage, picking up just one first down.
Mike Scifres pinned the Bears deep at their own 7-yard line to start the drive, but Cutler and ‘da Bears’ kept converting 3rd down after 3rd down on the drive. They converted three on their way to a 93 yard drive, capped off by a 3rd and goal 1-yard run by Langford.
All Langford did in his first start was run 72 yards on 18 carries and score his first career TD. A fourth round pick by the Bears, and he scored a TD before Melvin Gordon. Just give Gordon 25 carries a game from here on out.
Fourth Quarter:
Attempting to salt the game away with a TD, the Chargers drove down the field and on a 3rd and 8, Rivers found Stevie Johnson across the middle who was tripped up at the 4. When Johnson got up he spiked the ball in frustration of falling short of the goal-line and was flagged for a delay of game. Now the Chargers had a first and goal from the 9, instead of the 4.
On 3rd down again, Rivers scrambled outside the pocket and found gates, just keeping his feet in-bounds for the TD. Unfortunately, the TD was called back for ineligible man downfield on D.J Fluker who wondered 6 yards up the field on the Rivers’ scramble.
The Bolts would have to settle for a field goal, on a drive that took 6 minutes off the clock.
Down 22-14, Cutler led the Bears offense against a tired, and mostly second string Chargers defense who could not come up with a big stop. Bears tight end Zach Miller made an incredible 1-handed reel in, for the TD. The Bears would, of course, convert the 2-point conversation for the 22-19 lead.
THAT’S HOW YOU TAKE A LEAD: https://t.co/WlMJCbQnOQ pic.twitter.com/7UTfnW1h4x
— SB Nation (@SBNation) November 10, 2015
Still, the Chargers had a chance at the end. With 3 minutes to go, Rivers got the ball back and easily led them just past midfield. Joe Barksdale, the Bolts most consistent (and healthy) offensive lineman this season, gave up back-to-back sacks (sandwiched between an offsides by the same player, Justin Houston). Those sacks put the Chargers in an unmanageable 3rd and 24 and 4th and 24 to try and keep the game alive.
Post game notes:
Rivers ended 20 yards shy of his 5th straight 300 yard passing game. The Chargers, as of right now, would have the second pick in the 2016 NFL draft. At the end of the third quarter it was 16-7 and they can’t hold on. Melvin Gordon needs to be given around 25 carries to see what he can do with more work (but more runs to the outside like in the first quarter of the game). Top Performers: Rivers – 26/42, 280 yards, 1 TD Gordon – 11 carries, 31 yards Woodhead – 6 rec, 71 yards, 1 TD Gates – 6 rec, 69 yards Up Next: A bye week for the Chargers! Finally some rest for the team and the fans.
— Deadspin (@Deadspin) November 10, 2015
Quick Preview:
It’s going to be a tough matchup against the bye this week. With just about everyone on the hot seat in Chargers park and the slew of injuries, this is going to be one tough matchup ahead for the Bolts! But if I’ve learned anything from rooting for this team my whole life, just when you think you can’t feel anymore pain after a loss, they find a way.
Keep the Faith! Bolt up!?
Nick was born and raised in San Diego where he became a Chargers and Padres fan, attending numerous home games throughout the years with his dad. He then went on to attend college at the University of Arizona. There he earned his degree in marketing and now lives in San Francisco where he dreams of the the sunny beaches of San Diego. Bear Down.