Chargers win division on late field goal

As expected, Sunday’s game between San Diego and Cincinnati was filled with emotion as both teams battled for a victory. The Bengals fought with heavy hearts but players from on both sides mourned the death of Bengal wide receiver, Chris Henry. The game went right down to the wire and in the end Nick Kaeding split the uprights with a 52 yard field goal that sealed the win for the Chargers and sent the Bengals home with a heartbreaking loss.

In years past, the Chargers have been notorious for getting off to slow starts, in seasons and in individual games. During their now nine game winning streak, however, that has hardly been the case. Striking early has become the Charger way, and on Sunday San Diego wasted little time getting their first score. After a good kick return by Darren Sproles set them up at their own 45 yard line, Phillip Rivers connected on four of six passes for 28 yards, including a three yard touchdown pass to Antonio Gates. Ladanian Tomlinson also chipped in with four rushes for 15 yards and a reception of 10 yards on the drive that gave the Chargers a 7-0 lead.

The Bengals came roaring back with scores on each of their next two possessions to take a 10-7 lead. After getting on the board with a field goal for their first score, Carson Palmer came up big with a 49 yard bomb to Chad Ochocinco for a touchdown. Cincinnati had seized the momentum, and on the next San Diego possession, Jonathan Joseph intercepted a Rivers pass, giving his team an opportunity to drive for a two score lead. However, the Bengals prosperity could not materialize as Palmer was sacked on the very first play, fumbling the ball and losing 11 yards. Although they were fortunate to recover their own fumble, the Bengals could not overcome the loss of yardage and had to punt. The Chargers quickly responded with a touchdown to go back on top 14-10.

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At the start of the second half San Diego lead by a single point, 14-13. The teams got locked in a stalemate as neither could put drives together and continued to punt the ball back and forth. The turning point came on Cincinnati’s third possession of the quarter. Palmer, looking for another big play from his wide receiver, launched a deep pass toward Ochocinco, but the ball was picked off by Quentin Jammer. Jammer’s interception set the Chargers up at the Bengals 40 and San Diego took advantage of the excellent field position by driving for a touchdown. Rivers hooked up with Vincent Jackson for his third touchdown pass of the game and gave the Chargers a 21-13 lead.

The Chargers later added another field goal to go up 24-13 and had the ball at the start of the fourth quarter with a chance to put the game away. But Rivers was intercepted just as the drive was getting underway and the Bengals began to mount a comeback. Palmer’s second touchdown pass followed by a two-point conversion brought Cincinnati to within three at 24-21. The ensuing San Diego drive stalled and after getting the ball back the Bengals tied the game at 24-24 with only 54 seconds left in regulation.

With so little time remaining the game appeared destined for overtime. Phillip Rivers would have none of it, however, and orchestrated another late drive to put the Chargers in position for the win. He completed three of four passes for 46 yards, setting up Kaeding for a 52 yard game winning field goal. Shortly after the game’s conclusion the Broncos lost their game against Oakland and the Bolts officially clinched the AFC West. Now the Chargers can set their sights on locking up the number two see for the playoffs and a first round bye. One more win is all it’ll take.

By Steven Mondelli
ProFootball-fans.com San Diego Chargers Correspondent