Chargers Restrain Ravens’ Big Comeback And Win, 23-17

Philip Rivers raised his hands high up in the air after Mark Ingram the III recovered a forced fumble of Lamar Jackson. It meant that his team continued their excellent run of results away from Los Angeles, and that he has another chance for defeating Tom Brady.

The Chargers got even with the Ravens tonight, for the loss from two weeks earlier, and won 23-17, after a thrilling ending which nobody expected at the start of the last quarter.

Back then, the guests from LA had a 23-3 lead, following Mike Badgley’s 47-yard field goal. It was his fifth of the day setting the franchise record for field goals made in the postseason. The longest one was made from the 53-yard line, and it needs to be pointed out that young Badgley happened to be the crucial player for Chargers’ offense in this match, with all due respect toward other players.

The undrafted rookie who was released by the Indianapolis Colts before the season, and debuted in Weeks 6 remained calm each time when kicking the ball even when Ravens’ special team managed to block him.

“Badgley did a heck of a job making these field goals today, and made a big difference in this game.” Coach Lyn stated at the press conference.

Mike Badgley. The U.#NFLU | #ItsAllAboutTheU pic.twitter.com/4ANrI8R204

— GO ‘CANES! (@83_87_89_91_01) January 6, 2019

But after getting a 20 points advantage, the guests just stopped. Their defense which was in fact, the key generator of the lead, collapsed allowing Lamar Jackson to create two fast touchdowns and to bring this game down to one-possession.

With the first TD, Jackson, moved the chains really fast collectin 60 yards in just two plays. One pass went to Willie Snead for 20 yards, and the one which ended in Michael Crabtree’s hand into the end zone was 31 yards long.

Pretty quickly after that, Baltimore’s defense forced Chargers to punt, giving another opportunity to the young QB. Keeneth Dixon was the guy who caught the ball after Jackson’s magic in the backfield, and the end of this drive was with another touchdown of Crabtree, only this one had to be reviewed. The original call was the first down, but when the officials looked at the monitor, they reversed it.

It was 1:59 to go. Rivers had the ball, but after three plays he left the field, and the punt was on its way.

Ravens had a chance for a fast winning-drive, but Jackson fumbled the ball for the third time today, only this time it was recovered by one of the Chargers players, Mark Ingram. Uchenna Nwosu sneaked behind the rookie and pocked the ball from his hand.

“I wasn’t playing my game today,” Jackson told at the press conference.

He was booed at one point of the game, as he had an awful first half. Jackson posted 7 passing yards in the first three quarters, and had two fumbles and interception in the opening two periods.

LAMAR JACKSON … WHAT?!

📺: #LACvsBAL on CBS #NFLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/gPTSJCK0kh

— NFL (@NFL) January 6, 2019

In the end, he went 14 of 29 for 194 yards, two TD, an interception and carried the ball for 54 yards on 9 occasions. His protection was very bad and allowed six sacks on him.

The whole Ravens team had only 90 yards on the ground, which is way below than 220 they posted throughout the period in which Jackson started the games.

Rivers was also quiet, and one of the best QB’s in the league threw only 160 yards without touchdowns or interceptions.

Melvin Gordon ran for 40 yards in 17 carries and one touchdown.

He eagerly awaits another opportunity to finally defeat Tom Brady. So far Rivers lost 7 times in a row since entering the league when facing New England’s quarterback. The game will no doubt be very interesting, and as Chargers’ leader says “special”

“By any means this is special. To go to New England against the Hall of Fame coach and arguably the best quarterback ever to play and get another shot at him. Heck yeah, heck it is special” he said.

 

the game starts on Sunday 1:05 PM at Gillette Stadium in Foxbrough.