First quarter
Chargers 9, Titans 0
Key play: The Chargers chose to receive after winning the toss and needed less than five minutes to score an opening-drive TD for the fourth straight game and sixth time in nine games. The first big play was a 17-yard from Philip Rivers to Antonio Gates on third-and-4 and the two later hooked up for a 13-yard TD . It was career TD No. 108 for Gates. But Josh Lambo missed the PAT. The Chargers forced a three-and-out and then added a field goal, but it should have been more. They would have had a first-and-goal at the 4 but D.J. Fluker was penalized for unnecessary roughness. Then Dontrelle Inman dropped a at the goal line. And then Mike McCoy chose to kick on fourth-and-1.
Key stat: Rivers was 13-of-15 for 150 yards and a TD in the period. The Chargers had an amazing advantage of 169-11 in total yards.
Not in the box score: Titans linebacker Brian Orakpo left the game after four plays with an injury but returned on the next series. Chargers receiver Jeremy Butler injured his ankle making his first catch and did not return.
Second quarter
Chargers 19, Titans 14
Key plays: The quarter began with the Chargers at the Titans 49, and in two plays they were in the end zone. Melvin Gordon ran 43 yards to the 6, and then Philip Rivers ed 6 yards to Tyrell Williams for a TD. The Titans finally put together a drive with the help of a 20-yard from Marcus Mariota and a silly personal foul on Melvin Ingram. They also converted a fourth-and-1 run by DeMarco Murray even though the Chargers were celebrating, thinking he was short. On the next play, Mariota ed 16 yards to Rishard Matthews for a TD. The Chargers punted on their next two possessions, but the defense came up with a turnover just before the 2-minute warning when Casey Hayward intercepted a and returned it 25 yards to the Titans 15. The Chargers had a first-and-goal at the 4 but went nowhere and settled for another Josh Lambo field goal. The defense then coughed up a 75-yard TD drive in 78 seconds, with Marcus Mariota completed 6-of-7 (one was a spike) including another TD to Matthews.
Key stat: At the time they made it 19-7 (1:32 left), the Chargers had as many penalty yards as the Titans had total yards (76). San Diego began the day as the third-least penalized team in the league.
Not in the box score: No. 1 pick Joey Bosa was injured on Tennessee’s first drive of the quarter. He walked off on his own and came right back in.
Third quarter
Chargers 33, Titans 21
Key plays: The Titans took the kickoff and scored their second TD in less than three minutes. After six completions from Marcus Mariota, the quarterback ran 14 yards for the TD that put Tennessee ahead for the first time. The Chargers came back with a 14-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, but the two biggest plays were defensive holding penalties against Tennessee. Jason McCourty was flagged on an incomplete on third-and-7 at the Titans 37, and Da’Norris Searcy was nailed after a sack on third-and-inches at the goal line. On the next play, Melvin Gordon scored to give San Diego the lead. Tennessee was across midfield but on second down, Mariota ran an option play, was hit by Korey Toomer and fumbled. Toomer recovered but immediately fumbled himself, only to have Dwight Lowery pick it up and go 35 yards (officially) for the TD.
Key stat: The Chargers sured 30 points for the fifth time in nine games.
Not in the box score: The forced fumble was Toomer’s third in the last four games.
Fourth quarter
Chargers 43, Titans 35
Key plays: After a Chargers punt, Marcus Mariota led the Titans on a 7-play, 80-yard TD drive in under three minutes. The biggest play was a quick slant to Kendall Wright on third-and-1 that Wright turned into a 48-yard play. A 10-yard to DeMarco Murray gave the Titans another first down, and Mariota then fired an 8-yard strike to Delanie Walker for a TD. The Chargers came back with a 35-yard screen to Melvin Gordon to set up a 36-yard field goal by Josh Lambo. Three plays later, Brandon Flowers scored the second defensive TD of the day for San Diego, intercepting Mariota and returning it 34 yards for a 15-point lead with 4:51 left. Tennessee scored again but Gordon sealed it with a 47-yard run.
Key stat: Gordon had a career day with 261 yards from scrimmage, 196 rushing and 65 receiving.
Not in the box score: Chargers guard Orlando Franklin was taken to the locker room under the NFL’s concussion protocol and replaced by rookie Spencer Pulley.
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