Tennessee Titans 35-43 San Diego Chargers
Monday 7 November 2016 06:43, UK
Melvin Gordon recorded over 250 yards as the San Diego Chargers beat the Tennessee Titans 43-35. The Chargers raced to a 16-0 lead, before being pegged back by their opponents.
Marcus Mariota threw for 313 yards and three touchdown passes, as well as running one in himself, but also made a costly interception to hand San Diego their fourth win of the year.
In 140 characters...
Mariota was at his best and worst tonight, but an incredible performance from Chargers RB Melvin Gordon stole the show.
MVP
The Chargers couldn't control Melvin Gordon, who had 196 rushing yards as well as 65 in the air. He scored one touchdown of his own, but was a force in creating scoring opportunities throughout the night.
Game-changer
After the Titans worked their way back into the game, Mariota threw an interception with just six minutes left. It was picked off by cornerback Brandon Flowers who ran the ball back to the end zone, extending San Diego's lead to 15 points.
Stat of the Night
2007 - The last time San Diego had a player with 100 yards in one half was nine years ago (LaDainian Tomlinson, Darren Sproles).
The game
On the opening drive, Rivers and the Chargers drove downfield before finding Antonio Gates with a 13-yard touchdown pass into the end zone.
After adding a 33-yard field goal on their second possession, Tyrell Williams added another touchdown early in the second quarter. Melvin Gordon set up the score with a 43-yard gain, before Williams reeled in the six-yard pass to put the Chargers 16-0 ahead.
The Titans got on the board with their next drive, Rishard Matthews catching a 16-yard pass from Mariota to complete an eight play, 75-yard drive.
The Chargers responded, adding their second field goal but with 90 seconds to go it was Tennessee who got the last score of the half, as Mariota found Matthews once more, reducing the deficit to five points.
The Titans took a 21-19 lead early in the third quarter, as second-year quarterback Mariota put his body on the line, diving for the pylon to get a 14-yard score.
Gordon regained the lead for San Diego from one yard, and with the Titans looking for a response, the Chargers defence stepped up to force a Mariota fumble. Linebacker Korey Toomer knocked the ball free from the QB, and safety Dwight Lowery returned it for a 36-yard recovery touchdown.
However, Tennessee continued to press, and they made it a one-score game as Mariota found tight end Delanie Walker in tight coverage, completing an 80-yard drive in less than three minutes to make it a one-score game.
Lambo added another field goal, this time for 36 yards to extend San Diego's lead to 36-26, before Brandon Flowers picked off Mariota, returning the ball to the end zone for a 33-yard interception return.
The Titans refused to give up, Murray adding a one-yard touchdown rush, but it wasn't enough as the Chargers held on to win their fourth game of the season, and keep themselves in contention for a play-off spot.
San Diego now face a public vote on Tuesday to decide whether a new stadium will be built in the city, which will have a great bearing on whether the franchise stays or is relocated.
It was a tale of two quarterbacks for Titans head coach Mike Mularkey, who saw the best and worst of Mariota tonight. Tennessee miss the opportunity to level with Houston, and instead find themselves back in third after the Indianapolis Colts upset Green Bay on the road.
