Chargers Hang On For Road Win

During the week of preparation for Sunday's game in Houston, Charger quarterback Philip Rivers hinted we would be in for another close game.

"We're gonna be in the game with five minutes to play and there are only two outcomes that will happen from there," said Rivers.

That means win or lose (we'll forget about the tie) and with the Chargers the last two seasons hat has usually meant lose. This time the Chargers were in it with 5:00 to play but this time they had the lead and held on barely.

Rivers threw three touchdown passes and San Diego's defense forced four of turnovers in a 21-13 win at NRG Stadium in Houston.

With the Texans leading 7-0 in the second quarter the Bolts offense got a big play. Wide receiver Dontrelle Inman lost Houston safety Quinton Demps with a fantastic move and Rivers hit him for a 52-yard touchdown and a 7-7 game.

Just four plays later Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler tried to connect with DeAndre Hopkins Allen the sideline but Casey Hayward cut in front of the pass to make a dazzling interception.

That turnover led to another Chargers score. After running back Melvin Gordon took off on an 18-yard run Rivers found Tyrell Williams down the middle for a 21-yard score and a 14-7 halftime lead.

The 3rd quarter was also scoreless, helped by a Lamar Miller fumble recovered by cornerback Trevor Williams. Former Chargers kicker Nick Novak hit a short field goal early in the 4th to cut the lead to 14-10 and Rivers went to work again, finding Inman for gains of 11 and 25 on consecutive plays then throwing a 12-yard TD pass to tight end Hunter Henry to put San Diego up double digits.

Osweiler, who has drawn the ire of Texans fans for not living up to his $72 million contract, made another terrible throw that was intercepted by safety Dwight Lowery and the Texans simply ran out of time and chances.

Osweiler tried a pair of jump balls in the end zone at the end but one was knocked away and the other was picked off by safety Dexter McCoil. The Chargers improve to 5-6 heading in to next week's home game against Tampa Bay.