Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers threw for 503 yards in Green Bay Sunday.
He needed 505 to send a wild game to overtime.
The Chargers drove 77 yards in 11 plays on the final drive, but a fourth down pass to the end zone was broken up. The Packers held on, 27-20, to move to 6-0.
The Chargers basically abandoned the run, and Rivers threw 65 times in an attempt to keep up with Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. The Packers jumped out to a 14-3 lead in the first quarter thanks to two touchdowns by James Starks, one by a 65-yard run and one on a 5-yard catch from Rodgers, and never trailed.
The Packers had scoring drives of 88 and 79 yards to keep it close; they tied the game at 17 early in the third quarter. But Rodgers was his usual, efficient self, throwing for 255 yards and two touchdowns. Starks ran for 112 yards.
Keenan Allen caught 14 passes from Rivers for 157 yards, but Allen had to leave the game with a hip injury and the Chargers missed him late. Antonio Gates caught nine passes for 95 yards; Malcom Floyd caught nine for 95.
The 65-yard touchdown run was the longest of Starks’ career. Rodgers was sacked three times but didn’t throw an interception.
The 2-4 Chargers return home to play the Raiders. The Packers are off next week, then play at Denver on Nov. 1.
