Chargers Fall to Redskins 30-24 in Overtime

At FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland, in a game with some strange plays, the Washington Redskins beat the San Diego Chargers, 30-24, in overtime.

The winning play came on a power run at the San Diego goal line by fullback Darrel Young. The rushing game was the difference in this matchup, with the Redskins racking up 209 yards on the ground, while the Chargers mustered only 69.

Chargers rookie wide receiver Keenan Allen was a constant threat for much of the game, out-battling Redskins rookie cornerback David Amerson. Allen finished the game with 8 receptions for 128 yards.

San Diego put points on the board first, with a very unconventional touchdown interception by the Chargers defense in the second quarter. The Redskins, pinned inside their end zone because of a well-placed punt by Mike Scfires, were pushed back even further by a false start penalty. Defensive end Lawrence Guy tipped a pass by Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III, the ball rolled on nose tackle Cam Thomas' back, and defensive end Sean Lissemore intercepted the pass in end zone, which resulted in a touchdown for the Chargers.

In the second quarter, Philip Rivers was intercepted off a ball intended for receiver Vincent Brown (who seemed to run the wrong route.) The Redskins capitalized with a touchdown, ending the "no touchdown" streak for the Chargers defense, who didn't allow a touchdown in a team-record 12 straight quarters.

A big play was again made by Guy on the Redskins' opening series, which started at the Washington 1-yard line. The Redskins went 3-3 on third downs and drove down the field to the San Diego 7-yard line, where kicker Kai Forbath attempted a 25-yard field goal. The field goal was blocked by Guy, making it a 16-play, nine-minute drive that resulted in zero points.

Seconds before halftime, Forbath attempted another field goal, but it too was blocked, this time by defensive end Corey Liuget, who also had two deflected passes that series. After zero in 11 years, the Chargers would end this game with two blocked field goal attempts.

The Redskins started the third quarter strong, with a rushing touchdown by Young, bringing the game to 14-14. Early in the fourth quarter, they broke the tie on an 11-play, 79-yard drive capped off with another rushing touchdown by Young.

The Chargers defense, unable to get much going for most of the game, forced a crucial three-and-out with about 11 minutes left to play in the fourth. Rivers was intercepted two passes later, this time by a pass intended for Keenan Allen but picked off by Amerson. The Redskins used the turnover to set up a successful 47-yard field goal, widening their lead by 10 points.

The Chargers closed the gap on their next drive, scoring in under three minutes on an eight-play, 77-yard touchdown from Rivers to rookie wide receiver Keenan Allen. A few drives later, with seconds left in the game -- and after three unsuccessful goal line attempts, two of which were passing plays -- kicker Nick Novak made a 19-yard field goal to bring the game into overtime.

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