If you are prone to high blood pressure watching the 2016 San Diego Chargers is not a good idea for you. Once again the Bolts let a big lead get away and lost a game they led late.
This time quarterback Philip Rivers was intercepted by Dolphins linebacker Kiko Alonso, who returned in 60 yards for the game-winning touchdown with 1:01 to play, giving Miami a 31-24 win at Qualcomm Stadium.
Neither team could get much going offensively in the first half. A good indicator of how tough it was to move the ball, Chargers QB Philip Rivers only had six passing yards in a scoreless first quarter.
A Josh Lambo field goal to start the 2nd quarter broke the combined shutout. After the Chargers defense forced a second straight 3-and-out Rivers and the offense started to find a groove.
Philip hit five different receiver on their next possession, finishing with an 11-yard TD pass to tight end Antonio Gates to put the Bolts up 10-0. But as is their custom, San Diego let the double digit lead get away.
Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill took a shot as he delivered a 39-yard scoring strike to La Costa Canyon High School alum Kenny Stills to cut the Chargers lead to 10-7 before halftime. Miami got the ball back to start the 3rd quarter and went right back to work.
Running back Jay Ajayi, who was held to 16 yards rushing in the first half, took off on a 40-yard run. Just three plays later Damien Gordon ran in from the 2-yard-line to put the Dolphins on top 14-10 and touch off a bit of a scorefest.
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The Bolts put together a 12-play drive that covered 75 yards and featured three big 3rd down conversions. The final one came on 3rd and goal from the 7-yard-line when Rivers found tight end Hunter Henry for a touchdown and a 17-14 lead.
The advantage did not last long. Miami answered right back with another scoring drive that was kept alive by a tremendous play by Tannehill. On 3rd and 11 Tannehill wiggled out of a sack attempt by Melvin Ingram and ran for 18 yards and three plays later connected with Damien Williams in an 18-yard TD pass. Miami had a 21-17 lead and just like that the offenses dried up and the turnover bug started biting.
A muffed punt set the Bolts up at the Dolphins 5-yard-line but Rivers was intercepted in the end zone by Tony Lippett. The Chargers defense forced a 3-and-out and San Diego was moving again ... until Rivers was picked off by Byron Maxwell.
San Diego's D forced ANOTHER 3-and-out and this time they got in the end zone. Rivers hit Tyrell Williams for a 51-yard touchdown and a 24-21 lead.
But the Dolphins were not going to just lay down. Tannehill hit DeVante Parker for a 56-yard gain that set up a short Andrew Franks field goal to tie the game at 24-all.
Rivers had nearly three minutes to play with. He took the Bolts in to Dolphins territory then threw the pass that, for all intents and purposes, ended the Chargers season.
Philip was picked off four times in the game. San Diego falls to 4-6 while Miami improves to 5-4. The Bolts have a bye next week.
