Two defensive touchdowns in the second half and a big game by running back Melvin Gordon pushed the Chargers to a 43-35 victory over the Titans Sunday.
Chargers cornerback Brandon Flowers returned an interception in the fourth quarter, and Chargers safety Dwight Lowery’s third quarter fumble return helped the Chargers build the momentum. Gordon served as the closer as the Titans kept rallying to keep it close.
Josh Lambo kicked four field goals, and thanks to the defense and Gordon the Chargers got away with settling for field goals too often. Gordon had a monster day, going over 250 total yards and rushing for a career-best 196.
Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers threw for 275 yards and two touchdowns. After leading 16-0 in the second quarter, the Chargers trailed 21-19 early in the third quarter.
The Chargers had the ball for almost 21 minutes in the first half and were cruising until Marcus Mariota engineered a touchdown drive late in the first half to bring the Titans within 19-14. Mariota ended up putting up big numbers, throwing for 313 yards and three scores, but he was in scramble mode for most of the game.
A 14-yard Mariota touchdown run on the first drive of the second half gave the Titans their only lead, at 21-19, but the Chargers answered with a 1-yard touchdown run by Gordon to take the lead back. They kept it thanks to the defensive touchdowns and closed the game with Gordon’s running. The Chargers racked up 476 total yards.
Gordon is the first opposing running back to rush for more than 100 yards on the Titans this season and is up to nine rushing touchdowns on the season after not having a touchdown last season as a rookie.
The Chargers improve to 4-5. The Titans, who had won three of four, slip to 4-5.
