The San Diego Chargers made it three wins in a row Sunday when they defeated the Baltimore Ravens, 34-33, at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.
For the second straight week, the Chargers sealed their fate in the final minutes of the game.
Quarterback Philip Rivers found wide receiver Eddie Royal on a screen pass for a 1-yard touchdown, which lifted the Bolts past the Ravens with 38 seconds left in the game.
The touchdown was set up by one of San Diego’s most impressive drives of the day, where they drove 80 yards, in eight plays, and scored in just a little under two minutes. They were also aided by a crucial pass interference penalty on the Ravens in the end-zone, which put the Chargers in position to score.
Rivers started out the game sluggish with an interception on his first throw of the game, that put the Chargers in a 10-0 hole early. That would be the only interception of the game for him, though, as he settled in to have his finest game of the season, throwing for a season-high 383 yards and three touchdowns.
Two of those touchdowns went to Keenan Allen, which was a season high for the second-year wide receiver. He got the Chargers on the board in the first quarter and also caught a pivotal 23-yard touchdown that kept the Bolts alive with a little less than four minutes left in the game.
It was not the prettiest effort from the San Diego defense, but they were able to hold the Ravens to a field goal on their second-to-last drive of the game, that helped set up the go-ahead touchdown from Royal.
They were also affected by a multitude of penalties, especially on third downs, including a pass interference on cornerback Sharece Wright in the end zone, and a roughing the passer on safety Eric Weddle.
Kicker Nick Novak had some struggles of his own dealing with kickoffs but picked it up by drilling a 52-yard field goal right before halftime, tying his season-long.
San Diego (8-4) now controls the No. 5 seed in the American Football Conference playoff picture with the win. The Kansas City Chiefs’ loss to the Denver Broncos helped the Chargers moved up an extra spot.
The Chargers will be at home next weekend to face off against one of the premier teams in the AFC, the New England Patriots (9-2), on Sunday Night Football.
