San Diego, Ca – The Chargers believe in second chances, due to a penalty rookie Josh Lambo kicked a 34-yard field goal as time expired, after missing that similar kick the play before. Lambo’s kick lifted the San Diego Chargers (2-2) to a 30-27 victory against the Cleveland Browns(1-3) on Sunday, snapping a two-game losing streak.
Home cooking always seem to do a team good coming of two game losing streak on the road. The Chargers being able to have normal game week with no travel gave this team the slight edge that was needed. Today was Phillip Rivers 148th consecutive starts, ties a franchise record and the 2nd longest streak in NFL to Eli Manning.
After the game in the press conference Rivers spoke, ” this game was scrappy. It was a big one.” The Browns just would go away, they just continued to fight for their head coach Mike Pettine. Rivers had good day passing 23/38, 358 yards and 3 touchdowns compared to Josh McCown 32/41, 356 yards with 2 touchdowns. These quarterbacks showed up today and it’s not a surprise why this game was such a nail biter. This game was tied at 27-27 just before two minute warning, neither team could break away from the other.
Brown’s head coach Mike Pettine talked to media and refused to make excuses. “The guys were out there battling at the end…I’m proud of them. It’s a loss. We’re 1-3. We own that.” One of the teams were going to be in hole while the victors would be back at .500 ball. The offensive line for the Browns were bending but couldn’t slow down that rush enough allowing 4 sacks. Running back by committee only rushed for 100 yards. Manti Te’o led the Chargers with 13 tackles, while fellow outside backers kept pressure on McCown. Jeremiah Attaochu had two sacks with 3 tackles, and from the other side was Melvin Ingram who recorded 1.5 sack with 3 tackles, 2 assist.
The Chargers now will have to get ready to face a touch Pittsburg Steelers(2-2) team on October 12th, Monday night at 5:30pm. The Steelers are coming off a Thursday night tough loss 23-20 to the Ravens in overtime.
Cleveland will have to heal their wounds quick and get ready to face divisional rival Baltimore Ravens(1-3) who have same record. In the black and blue AFC North any week you can get beat if don’t come in prepared and the loser of this game will be in big hole.