San Diego

Chargers Come Back To Beat The Lions

The first half of the 2015 season opener between the Chargers and Lions could not have gone much worse for the home team. The second half could not have gone much better.

San Diego overcame an 18-point deficit to win 33-28 and start 1-0 for the first time under 3rd year head coach Mike McCoy.

The Lions took their opening drive 80 yards on eight plays, scoring a TD on rookie running back Ameer Abdullah's 24-yard run. Detroit scored again in the second quarter when Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers tried to force a short pass to wide receiver Keenan Allen in traffic. The pass popped off Allen and right to Detroit safety Glover Quinn who ran it 31 yards for another score. The Lions got on the board again when the Chargers defense missed a coverage and tight end Eric Ebron was open for a 18-yard TD. That put the Lions up 21-3.

The Bolts scored on a Danny Woodhead 9-yard TD run but when Rivers was picked off again in the end zone at the end of the half the Qualcomm Stadium crowd rained boos down on the field.

A different team walked out of the tunnel to start the second half.

The Chargers defense suddenly went in to lockdown mode, forcing two turnovers and pitching a shutout over almost the final 30 minutes. Melvin Ingram forced the first miscue, hammering Stafford as he threw. The pass flew straight up and was intercepted by rookie Kyle Emanuel (who had his first career sack and INT in his first career NFL game). Stafford was picked off again by Chargers defensive back Patrick Robinson, who returned it to the 16 yard line. Three plays later Rivers found wide receiver Stevie Johnson for a score to cut the Lions lead to 21-20.

The Bolts completed the comeback when Rivers hit tight end Ladarius Green, who started in place of the suspended Antonio Gates, for a 13-yard touchdown to put San Diego up 26-21.

The Chargers put it away when Woodhead scored again on a 1-yard run late in the 4th quarter. His score was set up by a series of tremendous catches by Allen, who finished with 15 grabs for 166 yards. Rivers overcame the two picks to go 35-42 for 404 yards.

The Lions got in the end zone with 1:04 to play on a 21-yard catch by running back Theo Riddick. Their onside kick attempt was recovered by the Chargers, who ran out the clock in Victory Formation.

Next week the Chargers hit the road to face the Bengals on Cininnati.
 

Contact Us