2018 Los Angeles Chargers season

59th season in franchise history

2018 Los Angeles Chargers season
OwnerAlex Spanos (until death, October 9)
Dean Spanos
General managerTom Telesco
Head coachAnthony Lynn
Home fieldStubHub Center
Results
Record12–4
Division place2nd AFC West
Playoff finishWon Wild Card Playoffs
(at Ravens) 23–17
Lost Divisional Playoffs
(at Patriots) 28–41
Pro Bowlers
7
  • QB Philip Rivers
  • RB Melvin Gordon
  • WR Keenan Allen
  • C Mike Pouncey
  • DE Melvin Ingram
  • FS Derwin James
  • ST Adrian Phillips
AP All-Pros
3

The 2018 season was the Los Angeles Chargers' 49th in the National Football League, their 59th overall, their third in the Greater Los Angeles Area and their second under head coach Anthony Lynn.

Despite a slow 1–2 start, the Chargers improved on their 9–7 record from the previous year with a Week 14 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. They also recorded a 10-win season for the first time since 2009 when they were in San Diego, also their first as a Los Angeles based team since 1960. With a Week 15 win over the Kansas City Chiefs, the Chargers clinched their first playoff berth since 2013 when they were based in San Diego.

The Chargers finished 12–4, tied with the Chiefs for both the AFC West division title and the best record in the AFC. However, the Chiefs won the division and the AFC's No. 1 seed based on record vs. division opponents (5–1 to 4–2), giving the Chargers the Wild Card and the AFC's No. 5 seed. The Chargers defeated the Baltimore Ravens 23–17 in the wild-card round, but lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion New England Patriots 41–28 in the divisional round. The season would prove to be their last where all of their games were played outdoors.

Offseason

Roster changes

Signings

Position Player Acquired from
C Mike Pouncey Miami Dolphins
TE Virgil Green Denver Broncos
K Caleb Sturgis Philadelphia Eagles
P Donnie Jones Philadelphia Eagles
QB Geno Smith New York Giants

Departures

Position Player Lost to
G Kenny Wiggins Detroit Lions
G Matt Slauson Indianapolis Colts
S Tre Boston Arizona Cardinals
RB Branden Oliver Indianapolis Colts

NFL draft

2018 Los Angeles Chargers draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
1 17 Derwin James *  S Florida State
2 48 Uchenna Nwosu  LB USC
3 84 Justin Jones  DT NC State
4 119 Kyzir White  S West Virginia
5 155 Scott Quessenberry  C UCLA
6 191 Dylan Cantrell  WR Texas Tech
7 251 Justin Jackson  RB Northwestern Compensatory pick
      Made roster    †   Pro Football Hall of Fame    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Draft trades

  • The Chargers traded their seventh-round selection (234th overall) to Buffalo in exchange for quarterback Cardale Jones.
  • The Chargers were awarded a seventh-round compensatory pick (251st overall).

Staff

2018 Los Angeles Chargers staff

Front office

  • Owner/chairman/president – Dean Spanos
  • Executive vice president – Michael Spanos
  • CEO/president – business operations – A. G. Spanos
  • General manager – Tom Telesco
  • President – football operations – John Spanos
  • Executive vice president of football administration/player finance – Ed McGuire
  • Senior executive – Randy Mueller
  • Director of pro scouting – Dennis Abraham
  • Senior director of pro personnel – Louis Clark
  • Director of player personnel – JoJo Wooden
  • Director of college scouting – Kevin Kelly

Head coaches

  • Head coach – Anthony Lynn
  • Assistant head coach/special teams coordinator – George Stewart

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

  • Assistant special teams – Keith Burns

Strength and conditioning

  • Head strength and conditioning – John Lott
  • Assistant strength – Jonathan Brooks

Final roster

2018 Los Angeles Chargers final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists
  • 67 Brett Boyko G (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 57 Jatavis Brown OLB (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 60 Zachary Crabtree T (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 94 Corey Liuget DT (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 52 Denzel Perryman ILB (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 87 Austin Roberts TE (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 10 Artavis Scott WR (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 22 Jason Verrett CB (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 27 Jaylen Watkins SS (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 44 Kyzir White OLB (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 24 Trevor Williams CB (IRTooltip Injured reserve)


Practice squad


Rookies in italics
53 active, 12 inactive, 10 practice squad

Preseason

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 August 11 at Arizona Cardinals L 17–24 0–1 State Farm Stadium Recap
2 August 18 Seattle Seahawks W 24–14 1–1 StubHub Center Recap
3 August 25 New Orleans Saints L 7–36 1–2 StubHub Center Recap
4 August 30 at San Francisco 49ers W 23–21 2–2 Levi's Stadium Recap

Regular season

Schedule

On January 11, the NFL announced that the Chargers would play host to the Tennessee Titans in one of the London Games at Wembley Stadium in London, England. It was the Chargers' second appearance in the International Series; the other being 2008. The game occurred during Week 7 (October 21), and was televised in the United States.[1]

The Chargers' regular season schedule was released on April 19.

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 September 9 Kansas City Chiefs L 28–38 0–1 StubHub Center Recap
2 September 16 at Buffalo Bills W 31–20 1–1 New Era Field Recap
3 September 23 at Los Angeles Rams L 23–35 1–2 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Recap
4 September 30 San Francisco 49ers W 29–27 2–2 StubHub Center Recap
5 October 7 Oakland Raiders W 26–10 3–2 StubHub Center Recap
6 October 14 at Cleveland Browns W 38–14 4–2 FirstEnergy Stadium Recap
7 October 21 Tennessee Titans W 20–19 5–2 United Kingdom Wembley Stadium (London) Recap
8 Bye
9 November 4 at Seattle Seahawks W 25–17 6–2 CenturyLink Field Recap
10 November 11 at Oakland Raiders W 20–6 7–2 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Recap
11 November 18 Denver Broncos L 22–23 7–3 StubHub Center Recap
12 November 25 Arizona Cardinals W 45–10 8–3 StubHub Center Recap
13 December 2 at Pittsburgh Steelers W 33–30 9–3 Heinz Field Recap
14 December 9 Cincinnati Bengals W 26–21 10–3 StubHub Center Recap
15 December 13 at Kansas City Chiefs W 29–28 11–3 Arrowhead Stadium Recap
16 December 22 Baltimore Ravens L 10–22 11–4 StubHub Center Recap
17 December 30 at Denver Broncos W 23–9 12–4 Broncos Stadium at Mile High Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Week One: Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Chargers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chiefs 14 3 14738
Chargers 6 6 01628

at StubHub Center, Carson, California

Game information

First quarter

  • KC – Tyreek Hill 91-yard punt return (Harrison Butker kick), 13:24. Chiefs 7–0.
  • LAC – Caleb Sturgis 45-yard field goal, 9:24. Chiefs 7–3. Drive: 8 plays, 48 yards, 3:43.
  • KC – Tyreek Hill 58-yard pass from Patrick Mahomes (Harrison Butker kick), 6:50. Chiefs 14–3. Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 2:41.
  • LAC – Caleb Sturgis 39-yard field goal, 0:25. Chiefs 14–6. Drive: 6 plays, 39 yards, 3:41.

Second quarter

  • LAC – Austin Ekeler 13-yard pass from Philip Rivers (pass failed), 7:54. Chiefs 14–12. Drive: 12 plays, 96 yards, 6:11.
  • KC – Harrison Butker 46-yard field goal, 2:04. Chiefs 17–12. Drive: 11 plays, 47 yards, 5:47.

Third quarter

  • KC – De'Anthony Thomas 1-yard pass from Patrick Mahomes (Harrison Butker kick), 9:29. Chiefs 24–12. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 5:35.
  • KC – Anthony Sherman 36-yard pass from Patrick Mahomes (Harrison Butker kick), 0:55. Chiefs 31–12. Drive: 6 plays, 86 yards, 3:28.

Fourth quarter

  • LAC – Keenan Allen 20-yard pass from Philip Rivers (Philip Rivers-Antonio Gates pass), 12:09. Chiefs 31–20. Drive: 9 plays, 91 yards, 3:44.
  • KC – Tyreek Hill 1-yard pass from Patrick Mahomes (Harrison Butker kick), 9:47. Chiefs 38–20. Drive: 3 plays, 2 yards, 0:40.
  • LAC – Tyrell Williams 4-yard pass from Philip Rivers (Melvin Gordon run), 5:08. Chiefs 38–28. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 4:41.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

Week 2: at Buffalo Bills

Week Two: Los Angeles Chargers at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chargers 14 14 0331
Bills 0 6 7720

at New Era Field, Orchard Park, New York

  • Date: September 16
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT/10:00 a.m. PDT
  • Game weather: 83 °F (28 °C), fair
  • Game attendance: 69,187
  • Referee: Clay Martin
  • TV announcers (CBS): Tom McCarthy and Steve Beuerlein
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

First quarter

  • LAC – Mike Williams 10-yard pass from Philip Rivers (Caleb Sturgis kick), 9:26. Chargers 7–0. Drive: 3 plays, 38 yards, 1:27.
  • LAC – Melvin Gordon 20-yard run (Caleb Sturgis kick), 4:18. Chargers 14–0. Drive: 6 plays, 61 yards, 3:24.

Second quarter

  • BUF – Stephen Hauschka 43-yard field goal, 13:38. Chargers 14–3. Drive: 12 plays, 51 yards, 5:40.
  • LAC – Melvin Gordon 9-yard pass from Philip Rivers (Caleb Sturgis kick), 10:43. Chargers 21–3. Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 2:55.
  • LAC – Melvin Gordon 2-yard pass from Philip Rivers (Caleb Sturgis kick), 1:55. Chargers 28–3. Drive: 12 plays, 81 yards, 6:46.
  • BUF – Stephen Hauschka 40-yard field goal, 0:47. Chargers 28–6. Drive: 6 plays, 52 yards, 1:08.

Third quarter

  • BUF – Chris Ivory 1-yard run (Stephen Hauschka kick), 11:06. Chargers 28–13. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:54.

Fourth quarter

  • LAC – Caleb Sturgis 24-yard field goal, 3:50. Chargers 31–13. Drive: 7 plays, 11 yards, 3:10.
  • BUF – Kelvin Benjamin 3-yard pass from Josh Allen (Stephen Hauschka kick), 0:38. Chargers 31–20. Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 3:12.

Top passers

  • LAC – Philip Rivers – 23/27, 256 yards, 3 TD
  • BUF – Josh Allen – 18/33, 245 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT

Top rushers

Top receivers

Week 3: at Los Angeles Rams

Week Three: Los Angeles Chargers at Los Angeles Rams – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chargers 6 7 7323
Rams 14 7 14035

at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California

  • Date: September 23
  • Game time: 1:05 p.m. PDT
  • Game weather: 80 °F (27 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 68,947
  • Referee: John Hussey
  • TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts and Evan Washburn
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

First quarter

  • LAR – Todd Gurley 1-yard run (Sam Ficken kick), 6:14. Rams 7–0. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 5:50.
  • LAC – Mike Williams 42-yard pass from Philip Rivers (kick failed), 4:42. Rams 7–6. Drive: 3 plays, 60 yards, 1:32.
  • LAR – Robert Woods 3-yard pass from Jared Goff (Sam Ficken kick), 0:51. Rams 14–6. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:31.

Second quarter

  • LAR – Blake Countess blocked punt recovery in end zone (Sam Ficken kick), 7:44. Rams 21–6.
  • LAC – Melvin Gordon 11-yard run (Caleb Sturgis kick), 3:12. Rams 21–13. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 4:32.

Third quarter

  • LAR – Cooper Kupp 53-yard pass from Jared Goff (Sam Ficken kick), 12:38. Rams 28–13. Drive: 3 plays, 55 yards, 0:51.
  • LAC – Mike Williams 20-yard pass from Philip Rivers (Caleb Sturgis kick), 8:18. Rams 28–20. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 4:20.
  • LAR – Robert Woods 6-yard pass from Jared Goff (Sam Ficken kick), 3:19. Rams 35–20. Drive: 11 plays, 77 yards, 4:59.

Fourth quarter

  • LAC – Caleb Sturgis 26-yard field goal, 11:49. Rams 35–23. Drive: 11 plays, 58 yards, 6:30.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

  • LAC – Mike Williams – 4 receptions, 81 yards, 2 TD
  • LAR – Robert Woods – 10 receptions, 104 yards, 2 TD

Week 4: vs. San Francisco 49ers

Week Four: San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Chargers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
49ers 14 3 7327
Chargers 6 11 9329

at StubHub Center, Carson, California

Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • SF – Robbie Gould 21-yard field goal, 4:59. 49ers 17–6. Drive: 21 plays, 72 yards, 10:44.
  • LAC – Austin Ekeler 22-yard pass from Philip Rivers (Philip Rivers-Melvin Gordon pass), 0:47. 49ers 17–14. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:12.
  • LAC – Caleb Sturgis 48-yard field goal, 0:00. Tied 17–17. Drive: 3 plays, 2 yards, 0:13.

Third quarter

  • LAC – Melvin Gordon 6-yard pass from Philip Rivers (kick failed), 10:35. Chargers 23–17. Drive: 6 plays, 51 yards, 2:48.
  • LAC – Caleb Sturgis 25-yard field goal, 7:44. Chargers 26–17. Drive: 4 plays, 5 yards, 0:58.
  • SF – George Kittle 82-yard pass from C. J. Beathard (Robbie Gould kick), 2:50. Chargers 26–24. Drive: 2 plays, 84 yards, 0:47.

Fourth quarter

  • SF – Robbie Gould 33-yard field goal, 12:39. 49ers 27–26. Drive: 9 plays, 49 yards, 3:28.
  • LAC – Caleb Sturgis 21-yard field goal, 7:41. Chargers 29–27. Drive: 9 plays, 72 yards, 4:58.

Top passers

  • SF – C. J. Beathard – 23/37, 298 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
  • LAC – Philip Rivers – 25/39, 250 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT

Top rushers

Top receivers

  • SF – George Kittle – 6 receptions, 125 yards, 1 TD
  • LAC – Keenan Allen – 7 receptions, 63 yards

Philip Rivers passed John Elway for eighth-most passing yards in NFL history.[2]

Week 5: vs. Oakland Raiders

Week Five: Oakland Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Raiders 0 3 0710
Chargers 3 14 3626

at StubHub Center, Carson, California

Game information

First quarter

  • LAC – Caleb Sturgis 49-yard field goal, 11:08. Chargers 3–0. Drive: 7 plays, 37 yards, 3:52.

Second quarter

  • OAK – Matt McCrane 24-yard field goal, 13:23. Tied 3–3. Drive: 10 plays, 77 yards, 5:06.
  • LAC – Austin Ekeler 44-yard pass from Philip Rivers (Caleb Sturgis kick), 4:04. Chargers 10–3. Drive: 4 plays, 55 yards, 2:04.
  • LAC – Melvin Gordon 1-yard run (Caleb Sturgis kick), 1:39. Chargers 17–3. Drive: 6 plays, 48 yards, 2:15.

Third quarter

  • LAC – Caleb Sturgis 30-yard field goal, 6:05. Chargers 20–3. Drive: 11 plays, 62 yards, 6:12.

Fourth quarter

  • LAC – Virgil Green 13-yard pass from Philip Rivers (kick failed), 9:42. Chargers 26–3. Drive: 8 plays, 69 yards, 6:23.
  • OAK – Jordy Nelson 1-yard pass from Derek Carr (Matt McCrane kick), 5:11. Chargers 26–10. Drive: 9 plays, 74 yards, 4:31.

Top passers

  • OAK – Derek Carr – 24/33, 268 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
  • LAC – Philip Rivers – 22/27, 339 yards, 2 TD

Top rushers

Top receivers

Week 6: at Cleveland Browns

Week Six: Los Angeles Chargers at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chargers 7 14 14338
Browns 0 6 0814

at FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

  • Date: October 14
  • Game time: 10:00 a.m. PDT/1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 51 °F (11 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 67,431
  • Referee: Brad Allen
  • TV announcers (CBS): Spero Dedes and Adam Archuleta
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • CLE – Greg Joseph 33-yard field goal, 12:47. Chargers 7–3. Drive: 7 plays, 18 yards, 2:13.
  • LAC – Tyrell Williams 45-yard pass from Philip Rivers (Michael Badgley kick), 6:34. Chargers 14–3. Drive: 2 plays, 89 yards, 1:12.
  • LAC – Tyrell Williams 29-yard pass from Philip Rivers (Michael Badgley kick), 0:51. Chargers 21–3. Drive: 6 plays, 77 yards, 1:22.
  • CLE – Greg Joseph 28-yard field goal, 0:00. Chargers 21–6. Drive: 8 plays, 59 yards, 0:51.

Third quarter

  • LAC – Melvin Gordon 10-yard run (Michael Badgley kick), 11:49. Chargers 28–6. Drive: 1 plays, 10 yards, 0:05.
  • LAC – Melvin Gordon 11-yard run (Michael Badgley kick), 3:12. Chargers 35–6. Drive: 11 plays, 81 yards, 7:10.

Fourth quarter

  • CLE – David Njoku 1-yard pass from Baker Mayfield (Baker Mayfield-Antonio Callaway pass), 12:26. Chargers 35–14. Drive: 7 plays, 42 yards, 1:50.
  • LAC – Michael Badgley 44-yard field goal, 4:15. Chargers 38–14. Drive: 5 plays, 9 yards, 2:37.

Top passers

  • LAC – Philip Rivers – 11/20, 207 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
  • CLE – Baker Mayfield – 22/46, 238 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT

Top rushers

  • LAC – Melvin Gordon – 18 carries, 132 yards, 3 TD
  • CLE – Duke Johnson – 2 carries, 36 yards

Top receivers

  • LAC – Keenan Allen – 4 receptions, 62 yards
  • CLE – David Njoku – 7 receptions, 55 yards, 1 TD

Week 7: vs. Tennessee Titans

NFL London Games

Week Seven: Tennessee Titans at Los Angeles Chargers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Titans 3 3 7619
Chargers 10 0 7320

at Wembley Stadium, London, England

  • Date: October 21
  • Game time: 6:30 a.m. PDT/2:30 p.m. BST
  • Game weather: 66 °F (19 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 84,301
  • Referee: Walt Coleman
  • TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel, Trent Green, Bruce Arians and Melanie Collins
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

First quarter

  • TEN – Ryan Succop 28-yard field goal, 9:44. Titans 3–0. Drive: 11 plays, 55 yards, 5:16.
  • LAC – Tyrell Williams 75-yard pass from Philip Rivers (Michael Badgley kick), 9:35. Chargers 7–3. Drive: 1 plays, 75 yards, 0:09.
  • LAC – Michael Badgley 29-yard field goal, 1:48. Chargers 10–3. Drive: 10 plays, 67 yards, 5:07.

Second quarter

  • TEN – Ryan Succop 33-yard field goal, 12:51. Chargers 10–6. Drive: 8 plays, 50 yards, 3:57.

Third quarter

  • LAC – Mike Williams 55-yard pass from Philip Rivers (Michael Badgley kick), 13:46. Chargers 17–6. Drive: 3 plays, 75 yards, 1:14.
  • TEN – Derrick Henry 1-yard run (Ryan Succop kick), 9:43. Chargers 17–13. Drive: 7 plays, 42 yards, 4:03.

Fourth quarter

  • LAC – Michael Badgley 28-yard field goal, 12:29. Chargers 20–13. Drive: 14 plays, 56 yards, 6:27.
  • TEN – Luke Stocker 1-yard pass from Marcus Mariota (pass failed), 0:31. Chargers 20–19. Drive: 13 plays, 89 yards, 4:24.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

Week 9: at Seattle Seahawks

Week Nine: Los Angeles Chargers at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chargers 6 13 0625
Seahawks 7 3 0717

at CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington

Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • LAC – Melvin Gordon 34-yard run (pass failed), 11:36. Chargers 12–7. Drive: 4 plays, 84 yards, 1:04.
  • LAC – Mike Williams 30-yard pass from Philip Rivers (Caleb Sturgis kick), 1:10. Chargers 19–7. Drive: 5 plays, 65 yards, 0:55.
  • SEA – Sebastian Janikowski 44-yard field goal, 0:00. Chargers 19–10. Drive: 8 plays, 49 yards, 1:10.

Third quarter

  • NO scoring plays.

Fourth quarter

  • LAC – Desmond King 42-yard interception return (kick failed), 6:44. Chargers 25–10.
  • SEA – Nick Vannett 6-yard pass from Russell Wilson (Sebastian Janikowski kick), 1:50. Chargers 25–17. Drive: 14 plays, 54 yards, 4:54.

Top passers

  • LAC – Philip Rivers – 13/26, 228 yards, 2 TD
  • SEA – Russell Wilson – 26/39, 235 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT

Top rushers

  • LAC – Melvin Gordon – 16 carries, 113 yards, 1 TD
  • SEA – Mike Davis – 15 carries, 62 yards

Top receivers

Week 10: at Oakland Raiders

Week Ten: Los Angeles Chargers at Oakland Raiders – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chargers 0 10 7320
Raiders 3 0 036

at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland, California

Game information

First quarter

  • OAK – Daniel Carlson 46-yard field goal, 2:51. Raiders 3–0. Drive: 8 plays, 32 yards, 3:34.

Second quarter

  • LAC – Michael Badgley 27-yard field goal, 5:47. Tied 3–3. Drive: 11 plays, 31 yards, 5:23.
  • LAC – Keenan Allen 11-yard pass from Philip Rivers (Michael Badgley kick), 0:24. Chargers 10–3. Drive: 8 plays, 91 yards, 3:09.

Third quarter

  • LAC – Melvin Gordon 66-yard pass from Philip Rivers (Michael Badgley kick), 12:32. Chargers 17–3. Drive: 4 plays, 77 yards, 2:28.

Fourth quarter

  • OAK – Daniel Carlson 30-yard field goal, 14:49. Chargers 17–6. Drive: 9 plays, 69 yards, 3:04.
  • LAC – Michael Badgley 41-yard field goal, 7:12. Chargers 20–6. Drive: 12 plays, 57 yards, 7:37.

Top passers

  • LAC – Philip Rivers – 18/16, 223 yards, 2 TD, INT
  • OAK – Derek Carr – 24/37, 243 yards

Top rushers

  • LAC – Melvin Gordon – 18 carries, 93 yards
  • OAK – Doug Martin – 15 carries, 61 yards

Top receivers

  • LAC – Melvn Gordon – 5 receptions, 72 yards
  • OAK – Jalen Richard – 5 receptions, 52 yards

Week 11: vs. Denver Broncos

Week Eleven: Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Broncos 0 7 7923
Chargers 6 7 6322

at StubHub Center, Carson, California

  • Date: November 18
  • Game time: 1:05 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: 69 °F (21 °C), clear
  • Game attendance: 25,462
  • Referee: Pete Morelli
  • TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts and Evan Washburn
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

First quarter

  • LAC – Michael Badgley 46-yard field goal, 7:00. Chargers 3–0. Drive: 13 plays, 52 yards, 6:47.
  • LAC – Michael Badgley 45-yard field goal, 0:39. Chargers 6–0. Drive: 8 plays, 55 yards, 4:04.

Second quarter

Third quarter

  • LAC – Antonio Gates 6-yard pass from Philip Rivers (kick failed, wide left), 9:56. Chargers 19–7. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 5:04.
  • DEN – Royce Freeman 3-yard run (Brandon McManus kick), 2:24. Chargers 19–14. Drive: 3 plays, 18 yards, 1:21.

Fourth quarter

  • DEN – Phillip Lindsay 2-yard run (run failed), 12:17. Broncos 20–19. Drive: 7 plays, 73 yards, 3:33.
  • LAC – Michael Badgley 30-yard field goal, 6:47. Chargers 22–20. Drive: 8 plays, 60 yards, 5:30.
  • DEN – Brandon McManus 34-yard field goal, 0:00. Broncos 23–22. Drive: 7 plays, 76 yards, 1:51.

Top passers

  • DEN – Case Keenum – 19/32, 205 yards
  • LAC – Philip Rivers – 28/43, 401 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT

Top rushers

  • DEN – Phillip Lindsay – 11 rushes, 79 yards, 2 TD
  • LAC – Melvin Gordon – 18 rushes, 69 yards

Top receivers

  • DEN – Courtland Sutton – 3 receptions, 78 yards
  • LAC – Keenan Allen – 9 receptions, 89 yards

Week 12: vs. Arizona Cardinals

Week Twelve: Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Chargers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 10 0 0010
Chargers 0 28 14345

at StubHub Center, Carson, California

  • Date: November 25
  • Game time: 1:05 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: 74 °F (23 °C), partly cloudy
  • Game attendance: 25,343
  • Referee: Alex Kemp
  • TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Daryl Johnston and Laura Okmin
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

First quarter

  • ARI – Larry Fitzgerald 25-yard pass from Josh Rosen (Phil Dawson kick), 10:20. Cardinals 7–0. Drive: 9 plays, 76 yards, 4:40.
  • ARI – Phil Dawson 30-yard field goal, 4:22. Cardinals 10–0. Drive: 8 plays, 32 yards, 3:47.

Second quarter

  • LAC – Mike Williams 9-yard pass from Philip Rivers (Michael Badgley kick), 14:12. Cardinals 10–7. Drive: 8 plays, 58 yards, 5:10.
  • LAC – Melvin Gordon 28-yard rush (Michael Badgley kick), 6:59. Chargers 14–10. Drive: 4 plays, 31 yards, 2:35.
  • LAC – Melvin Gordon 5-yard rush (Michael Badgley kick), 4:16. Chargers 21–10. Drive: 4 plays, 31 yards, 2:35.
  • LAC – Mike Williams 2-yard pass from Philip Rivers (Michael Badgley kick), 0:08. Chargers 28–10. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 1:37.

Third quarter

  • LAC – Keenan Allen 2-yard pass from Philip Rivers (Michael Badgley kick), 8:01. Chargers 35–10. Drive: 11 plays, 77 yards, 6:59.
  • LAC – Austin Ekeler 2-yard rush (Michael Badgley kick), 0:00. Chargers 42–10. Drive: 10 plays, 73 yards, 6:04.

Fourth quarter

  • LAC – Michael Badgley 31-yard field goal, 3:25. Chargers 45–10. Drive: 9 plays, 62 yards, 4:58.

Top passers

  • ARI – Josh Rosen – 12/19, 105 yards, TD, INT
  • LAC – Philip Rivers – 28/29, 259 yards, 3 TD

Top rushers

  • ARI – David Johnson – 17 carries, 63 yards
  • LAC – Melvin Gordon – 10 carries, 61 yards, 2 TD

Top receivers

  • ARI – Christian Kirk – 4 receptions, 41 yards
  • LAC – Keenan Allen – 7 receptions, 72 yards, TD

Week 13: at Pittsburgh Steelers

Week Thirteen: Los Angeles Chargers at Pittsburgh Steelers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chargers 7 0 81833
Steelers 13 10 0730

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Game information

First quarter

  • PIT – James Conner 1-yard rush (Chris Boswell kick), 9:20. Steelers 7–0. Drive: 4 plays, 58 yards, 1:59.
  • PIT – James Conner 1-yard rush (kick failed), 4:41. Steelers 13–0. Drive: 6 plays, 48 yards, 3:01.
  • LAC – Travis Benjamin 46-yard pass from Philip Rivers (Michael Badgley kick), 1:04. Steelers 13–7. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 3:37.

Second quarter

  • PIT – Chris Boswell 48-yard field goal, 2:40. Steelers 16–7. Drive: 4 plays, 4 yards, 0:59.
  • PIT – Antonio Brown 28-yard pass from Ben Roethlisberger (Chris Boswell kick), 0:17. Steelers 23–7. Drive: 6 plays, 91 yards, 1:18.

Third quarter

  • LAC – Keenan Allen 10-yard pass from Philip Rivers (Philip Rivers-Antonio Gates pass), 1:43. Steelers 23–15. Drive: 13 plays, 88 yards, 8:07.

Fourth quarter

  • LAC – Desmond King 73-yard punt return (Philip Rivers-Keenan Allen pass), 12:52. Tied 23–23.
  • LAC – Justin Jackson 18-yard rush (Michael Badgley kick), 8:09. Chargers 30–23. Drive: 7 plays, 79 yards, 3:51.
  • PIT – Jaylen Samuels 10-yard pass from Ben Roethlisberger (Chris Boswell kick), 4:10. Tied 30–30. Drive: 12 plays, 78 yards, 3:59.
  • LAC – Michael Badgley 29-yard field goal, 0:00. Chargers 33–30. Drive: 11 plays, 64 yards, 4:10.

Top passers

  • LAC – Philip Rivers – 26/36, 299 yards, 2 TD
  • PIT – Ben Roethlisberger – 29/45, 281 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT

Top rushers

  • LAC – Justin Jackson – 8 carries, 63 yards, 1 TD
  • PIT – James Conner – 15 carries, 60 yards, 2 TD

Top receivers

  • LAC – Keenan Allen – 14 receptions, 148 yards, 1 TD
  • PIT – Antonio Brown – 10 receptions, 154 yards, 1 TD

Week 14: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Week Fourteen: Cincinnati Bengals at Los Angeles Chargers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bengals 3 9 0921
Chargers 7 10 3626

at StubHub Center, Carson, California

  • Date: December 9
  • Game time: 1:05 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: 71 °F (22 °C), clear
  • Game attendance: 25,358
  • Referee: John Hussey
  • TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel, Trent Green, Bruce Arians and Melanie Collins
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • LAC – Austin Ekeler 5-yard rush (Michael Badgley kick), 14:51. Chargers 14–3. Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 6:32.
  • CIN – Randy Bullock 23-yard field goal, 5:01. Chargers 14–6. Drive: 10 plays, 41 yards, 5:21.
  • CIN – John Ross 6-yard pass from Jeff Driskel (pass failed), 0:20. Chargers 14–12. Drive: 5 plays, 35 yards, 1:15.
  • LAC – Michael Badgley 59-yard field goal, 0:00. Chargers 17–12. Drive: 3 plays, 27 yards, 0:20.

Third quarter

  • LAC – Michael Badgley 31-yard field goal, 7:38. Chargers 20–12. Drive: 11 plays, 22 yards, 5:06.

Fourth quarter

  • CIN – Randy Bullock 46-yard field goal, 12:12. Chargers 20–15. Drive: 8 plays, 33 yards, 3:48.
  • LAC – Michael Badgley 32-yard field goal, 7:45. Chargers 23–15. Drive: 8 plays, 61 yards, 4:27.
  • CIN – Joe Mixon 1-yard rush (pass failed), 1:50. Chargers 23–21. Drive: 11 plays, 79 yards, 5:55.
  • LAC – Michael Badgley 45-yard field goal, 0:49. Chargers 26–21. Drive: 4 plays, 7 yards, 1:01.

Top passers

  • CIN – Jeff Driskel – 18/27, 170 yards, 1 TD
  • LAC – Philip Rivers – 19/29, 220 yards, 1 TD

Top rushers

  • CIN – Joe Mixon – 26 carries, 111 yards, 1 TD
  • LAC – Austin Ekeler – 15 carries, 66 yards, 1 TD

Top receivers

  • CIN – Tyler Boyd – 3 receptions, 52 yards
  • LAC – Keenan Allen – 5 receptions, 78 yards, 1 TD

Week 15: at Kansas City Chiefs

Week Fifteen: Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chargers 0 7 71529
Chiefs 14 0 7728

at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

  • Date: December 13
  • Game time: 5:20 p.m. PST/7:20 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 39 °F (4 °C)
  • Game attendance: 75,091
  • Referee: Walt Anderson
  • TV announcers (Fox/NFLN): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews and Kristina Pink
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

  • KC – Damien Williams 2-yard rush (Michael Badgley kick), 11:38. Chiefs 21–7. Drive: 7 plays, 74 yards, 3:22.
  • LAC – Mike Williams 19-yard rush (Michael Badgley kick), 4:57. Chiefs 21–14. Drive: 11 plays, 76 yards, 6:41.

Fourth quarter

  • KC – Damien Williams 1-yard rush (Harrison Butker kick), 8:15. Chiefs 28–14. Drive: 13 plays, 73 yards, 7:55.
  • LAC – Justin Jackson 3-yard rush (Michael Badgley kick), 3:49. Chiefs 28–21. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 4:26.
  • LAC – Mike Williams 1-yard pass from Philip Rivers (Philip Rivers-Mike Williams pass), 0:04. Chargers 29–28. Drive: 8 plays, 60 yards, 2:33.

Top passers

  • LAC – Philip Rivers – 26/38, 313 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
  • KC – Patrick Mahomes – 24/34, 243 yards, 2 TD

Top rushers

  • LAC – Justin Jackson – 16 carries, 58 yards, TD
  • KC – Damien Williams – 10 carries, 49 yards, 2 TD

Top receivers

  • LAC – Mike Williams – 7 receptions, 76 yards, 2 TD
  • KC – Damien Williams – 6 receptions, 74 yards

Week 16: vs. Baltimore Ravens

Week Sixteen: Baltimore Ravens at Los Angeles Chargers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Ravens 3 3 10622
Chargers 0 3 7010

at StubHub Center, Carson, California

  • Date: December 22
  • Game time: 5:20 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: 60 °F (16 °C), partly cloudy
  • Game attendance: 25,571
  • Referee: Clete Blakeman
  • TV announcers (NFLN/KABC-TV): Mike Tirico, Kurt Warner and Peter Schrager
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

First quarter

  • BAL – Justin Tucker 24-yard field goal, 12:47. Ravens 3–0. Drive: 5 plays, 46 yards, 2:04.

Second quarter

  • BAL – Justin Tucker 35-yard field goal, 2:54. Ravens 6–0. Drive: 11 plays, 31 yards, 5:21.
  • LAC – Michael Badgley 38-yard field goal, 0:45. Ravens 6–3. Drive: 9 plays, 56 yards, 2:10.

Third quarter

  • LAC – Melvin Gordon 1-yard run (Michael Badgley kick), 13:21. Chargers 10–6. Drive: 3 plays, 17 yards, 1:26.
  • BAL – Mark Andrews 68-yard pass from Lamar Jackson (Justin Tucker kick), 12:28. Ravens 13–10. Drive: 2 plays, 85 yards, 1:00.
  • BAL – Justin Tucker 56-yard field goal, 5:41. Ravens 16–10. Drive: 7 plays, 30 yards, 3:31.

Fourth quarter

  • BAL – Tavon Young 62-yard fumble return (run failed), 2:40. Ravens 22–10.

Top passers

Top rushers

  • BAL – Gus Edwards – 14 rushes, 92 yards
  • LAC – Melvin Gordon – 12 rushes, 41 yards, TD

Top receivers

  • BAL – Mark Andrews – 2 receptions, 83 yards, TD
  • LAC – Keenan Allen – 5 receptions, 58 yards

Philip Rivers eclipsed 4,000 yards at the same time as Tom Brady, becoming the third and fourth quarterback in NFL history to reach 4,000 yards in 10 seasons or more, joining Peyton Manning and Drew Brees.[3]

Week 17: at Denver Broncos

Week Seventeen: Los Angeles Chargers at Denver Broncos – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chargers 0 7 7923
Broncos 0 3 069

at Broncos Stadium at Mile High, Denver, Colorado

  • Date: December 30
  • Game time: 1:25 p.m. PST/2:25 p.m. MST
  • Game weather: 51 °F (11 °C), mostly cloudy
  • Game attendance: 75,947
  • Referee: John Parry
  • TV announcers (CBS): Spero Dedes and Adam Archuleta
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

First quarter

  • No scoring plays

Second quarter

  • LAC – Kyle Emanuel 18-yard fumble return (Michael Badgley kick), 5:32. Chargers 7–0.
  • DEN – Brandon McManus 28-yard field goal, 0:11. Chargers 7–3. Drive: 7 plays, 10 yards, 1:01.

Third quarter

  • LAC – Mike Williams 3-yard pass from Philip Rivers (Michael Badgley kick), 3:46. Chargers 14–3. Drive: 4 plays, 16 yards, 2:07.

Fourth quarter

  • DEN – Andy Janovich 20-yard pass from Case Keenum, 10:10. Chargers 14–9. Drive: 5 plays, 56 yards, 2:10.
  • LAC – Casey Hayward defensive two-point conversion. Chargers 16–9.
  • LAC – Austin Ekeler 1-yard run (Michael Badgley kick), 5:48. Chargers 23–9. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 4:22.

Top passers

  • LAC – Philip Rivers – 14/24, 176 yards, TD, 2 INT
  • DEN – Case Keenum – 31/48, 292 yards, TD, INT

Top rushers

  • LAC – Austin Ekeler – 8 rushes, 58 yards, TD
  • DEN – Royce Freeman – 17 rushes, 60 yards

Top receivers

  • LAC – Mike Williams – 5 receptions, 65 yards, TD
  • DEN – DaeSean Hamilton – 5 receptions, 49 yards

Standings

Division

AFC West
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W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(1) Kansas City Chiefs 12 4 0 .750 5–1 10–2 565 421 W1
(5) Los Angeles Chargers 12 4 0 .750 4–2 9–3 428 329 W1
Denver Broncos 6 10 0 .375 2–4 4–8 329 349 L4
Oakland Raiders 4 12 0 .250 1–5 3–9 290 467 L1

Conference

AFC
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# Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF SOS SOV STK
Division leaders
1[a] Kansas City Chiefs West 12 4 0 .750 5–1 10–2 .480 .401 W1
2[b] New England Patriots East 11 5 0 .688 5–1 8–4 .482 .494 W2
3[b] Houston Texans South 11 5 0 .688 4–2 9–3 .471 .435 W1
4 Baltimore Ravens North 10 6 0 .625 3–3 8–4 .496 .450 W3
Wild Cards
5[a] Los Angeles Chargers West 12 4 0 .750 4–2 9–3 .477 .422 W1
6 Indianapolis Colts South 10 6 0 .625 4–2 7–5 .465 .456 W4
Did not qualify for the postseason
7 Pittsburgh Steelers North 9 6 1 .594 4–1–1 6–5–1 .504 .448 W1
8 Tennessee Titans South 9 7 0 .563 3–3 5–7 .520 .465 L1
9 Cleveland Browns North 7 8 1 .469 3–2–1 5–6–1 .516 .411 L1
10 Miami Dolphins East 7 9 0 .438 4–2 6–6 .469 .446 L3
11[c] Denver Broncos West 6 10 0 .375 2–4 4–8 .523 .464 L4
12[c] Cincinnati Bengals North 6 10 0 .375 1–5 4–8 .535 .448 L2
13[c] Buffalo Bills East 6 10 0 .375 2–4 4–8 .523 .411 W1
14 Jacksonville Jaguars South 5 11 0 .313 1–5 4–8 .549 .463 L1
15[d] New York Jets East 4 12 0 .250 1–5 3–9 .506 .438 L3
16[d] Oakland Raiders West 4 12 0 .250 1–5 3–9 .547 .406 L1
Tiebreakers[e]
  1. ^ a b Kansas City finished ahead of LA Chargers based on division games.
  2. ^ a b New England finished ahead of Houston based on head-to-head victory.
  3. ^ a b c Denver finished ahead of Cincinnati and Buffalo based on strength of victory. Cincinnati finished ahead of Buffalo based on record vs. common opponents. Cincinnati's cumulative record against Baltimore, Indianapolis, the Los Angeles Chargers and Miami was 3–2, compared to Buffalo's 1–4 cumulative record against the same four teams.
  4. ^ a b NY Jets finished ahead of Oakland based on strength of victory.
  5. ^ When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest ranked remaining team from each division.

Postseason

Schedule

Round Date Opponent (seed) Result Record Venue Recap
Wild Card January 6, 2019 at Baltimore Ravens (4) W 23–17 1–0 M&T Bank Stadium Recap
Divisional January 13, 2019 at New England Patriots (2) L 28–41 1–1 Gillette Stadium Recap

Game summaries

AFC Wild Card Playoffs: at (4) Baltimore Ravens

AFC Wild Card Playoffs: (5) Los Angeles Chargers at (4) Baltimore Ravens – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chargers 6 6 01123
Ravens 0 0 31417

at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

Game information

First quarter

  • LAC – Michael Badgley 21-yard field goal, 6:59. Chargers 3–0. Drive: 5 plays, 12 yards, 2:36.
  • LAC – Michael Badgley 53-yard field goal, 1:08. Chargers 6–0. Drive: 4 plays, 7 yards, 2:13.

Second quarter

  • LAC – Michael Badgley 40-yard field goal, 3:22. Chargers 9–0. Drive: 9 plays, 37 yards, 5:29.
  • LAC – Michael Badgley 34-yard field goal, 0:00. Chargers 12–0. Drive: 12 plays, 58 yards, 1:48.

Third quarter

  • BAL – Justin Tucker 33-yard field goal, 8:30. Chargers 12–3. Drive: 4 plays, 6 yards, 1:56.

Fourth quarter

  • LAC – Melvin Gordon 1-yard run (Philip Rivers-Mike Williams pass), 14:44. Chargers 20–3. Drive: 10 plays, 60 yards, 4:38.
  • LAC – Michael Badgley 47-yard field goal, 9:09. Chargers 23–3. Drive: 7 plays, 16 yards, 4:00.
  • BAL – Michael Crabtree 31-yard pass from Lamar Jackson (Justin Tucker kick) Chargers 23-10. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 2:36.
  • BAL – Michael Crabtree 7-yard pass from Lamar Jackson (Justin Tucker kick) Chargers 23-17. Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 2:48.

Top passers

Top rushers

  • LAC – Melvin Gordon – 17 rushes, 40 yards, TD
  • BAL – Lamar Jackson – 9 rushes, 54 yards

Top receivers

  • LAC – Mike Williams – 2 receptions, 42 yards
  • BAL – Michael Crabtree – 2 receptions, 38 yards, 2 TD

The Chargers recorded six sacks, jumped out to a 23–3 lead and halted a late Ravens rally, forcing Lamar Jackson to fumble on the final drive to earn a trip to New England.

On the Ravens' second possession of the game, Chargers defensive end Melvin Ingram forced a fumble from Kenneth Dixon that was recovered by safety Adrian Phillips, giving Los Angeles the ball on the Baltimore 14-yard line. Three plays later, Michael Badgley kicked a 21-yard field goal to give Los Angeles a 3–0 lead. Then the Chargers' defense forced a punt, which Desmond King returned 42 yards to the Ravens' 42-yard line, setting up a 53-yard Badgley field goal that increased their lead to 6–0. Early in the second quarter, Phillips intercepted a pass from Jackson to give the Chargers a first down on the Ravens' 44-yard line. From there, they drove 27 yards to go up 9–0 on Badgley's third field goal. Following another Ravens punt, Los Angeles drove 53 yards in 12 plays to score on Badgley's fourth field goal on the last play of the half, giving them a 12–0 lead.

King returned the second half kickoff 72 yards to the Ravens' 35-yard line, but this time the Chargers failed to score when Badgley's field goal attempt was blocked by Za'Darius Smith. After a Ravens punt, linebacker Patrick Onwuasor forced a fumble from Chargers tight end Virgil Green that was recovered by linebacker C. J. Mosley on the Los Angeles 21-yard line. This set up Justin Tucker's 33-yard field goal, cutting the score to 12–3 with 8:34 left in the third quarter. At the end of Los Angeles' next possession, the Ravens got another scoring opportunity when Javorius Allen blocked Donnie Jones's punt, resulting in Baltimore taking over on the Chargers' 40-yard line; they only managed to gain 4 yards with their next three plays and Tucker's 50-yard field goal attempt was wide right. Los Angeles then drove 60 yards in 10 plays, featuring a 28-yard completion from Philip Rivers to Mike Williams on the Ravens' 15-yard line. On the next play, Melvin Gordon ran the ball 14 yards to the 1-yard line. The Ravens managed to keep Los Angeles out of the end zone for the next three plays, but Gordon scored with a 4th down 1-yard touchdown run on the first play of the 4th quarter; Rivers completed a pass to Williams for a two-point conversion, giving the Chargers a 20–3 lead.

A sack by Ingram on the Ravens' ensuing drive forced them to punt from their 14-yard line and Sam Koch's 31-yard kick gave the Chargers good field position on the Ravens' 45-yard line. Los Angeles then drove 16 yards, including a 9-yard scramble by Rivers on 3rd-and-8, to score on Badgley's 5th field goal, from 47 yards, that gave them a 23–3 lead. Taking the ball back with 9:02 left, Baltimore drove 75 yards in eight plays, including Jackson's 29-yard completion to Willie Snead on 4th-and-11. On the next play, Jackson threw a 31-yard touchdown pass to receiver Michael Crabtree, making the score 23–10. The Chargers recovered Baltimore's ensuing onside kick attempt, but still had to punt after three plays. Baltimore went on to drive 85 yards in 12 plays, the longest a 39-yard completion from Jackson to Dixon. On the last play, Jackson threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to Crabtree, narrowing their gap to 23–17 with 2:06 left. Baltimore then forced a punt with 45 seconds to go, giving them one last chance to drive for a winning touchdown, but Chargers linebacker Uchenna Nwosu forced a fumble while sacking Jackson and Ingram recovered it to give Los Angeles the victory.

Rivers completed 22-of-32 passes for 160 yards and rushed for 15 yards. Ingram finished the game with seven tackles (two for a loss of yards), two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Phillips had five tackles (three solo), an interception and a fumble recovery. King returned a kickoff for 72 yards and had four punt returns for 46 yards. Jackson completed 14-of-29 passes for 194 yards, with two touchdowns and an interception; he was also Baltimore's leading rusher with 9 carries for 54 yards. Onwausor had seven tackles (six solo), a sack and a forced fumble.

AFC Divisional Playoffs: at (2) New England Patriots

AFC Divisional Playoffs: (5) Los Angeles Chargers at (2) New England Patriots – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Chargers 7 0 71428
Patriots 14 21 3341

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

  • Date: January 13, 2019
  • Game time: 10:05 a.m. PST/1:05 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 26 °F (−3 °C), sunny and cold
  • Game attendance: 65,878
  • Referee: Ronald Torbert
  • TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, Tracy Wolfson and Jay Feely
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

First quarter

  • NE – Sony Michel 1-yard run (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 7:49. Patriots 7–0. Drive: 14 plays, 83 yards, 7:11.
  • LAC – Keenan Allen 43-yard pass from Philip Rivers (Michael Badgley kick), 4:56. Tied 7–7. Drive: 6 plays, 67 yards, 2:53.
  • NE – Sony Michel 14-yard run (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 1:35. Patriots 14–7. Drive: 7 plays, 67 yards, 3:21.

Second quarter

  • NE – Phillip Dorsett 15-yard pass from Tom Brady (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 12:17. Patriots 21–7. Drive: 8 plays, 58 yards, 3:07.
  • NE – Rex Burkhead 6-yard run (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 6:04. Patriots 28–7. Drive: 6 plays, 87 yards, 3:08.
  • NE – Sony Michel 5-yard run (Stephen Gostkowski kick), 1:43. Patriots 35–7. Drive: 4 plays, 35 yards, 1:40.

Third quarter

  • NE – Stephen Gostkowski 28-yard field goal, 6:31. Patriots 38–7. Drive: 14 plays, 57 yards, 7:22.
  • LAC – Melvin Gordon 1-yard run (Michael Badgley kick), 1:16. Patriots 38–14. Drive: 10 plays, 72 yards, 5:15.

Fourth quarter

  • NE – Stephen Gostkowski 30-yard field goal, 12:23. Patriots 41–14. Drive: 8 plays, 63 yards, 3:53.
  • LAC – Virgil Green 1-yard pass from Philip Rivers (Philip Rivers–Keenan Allen pass), 7:38. Patriots 41–22. Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 2:01.
  • LAC – Antonio Gates 8-yard pass from Philip Rivers (pass failed), 0:59. Patriots 41–28. Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 2:00.

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

New England piled up 347 yards in the first half and scored touchdowns on five of their first six possessions to defeat the Chargers, which sent the Patriots to the AFC championship game for the eighth consecutive season.[4]

The Patriots started the game by driving 83 yards in 14 plays, scoring on Sony Michel's 1-yard touchdown run. Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers quickly led his team right back, completing an 18-yard pass to Mike Williams on 3rd-and-15 before tying the game on a 43-yard touchdown completion to Keenan Allen. New England then drove 67 yards in 7 plays, the longest a 28-yard completion from Tom Brady to receiver Julian Edelman. On the next play, Michel ran 14 yards to the end zone to give the Patriots a 14–7 lead with less than a minute left in the first quarter.

Los Angeles had to punt after three plays and Edelman returned it 6 yards to the Patriots' 42-yard line. Then he caught passes for gains of 11 and 17 yards as New England drove 58 yards to take a 21–7 lead on Brady's 15-yard touchdown pass to receiver Phillip Dorsett. Following another Chargers punt, Brady completed a 25-yard pass to running back James White on New England's first play. A few plays later, Michel took off for a 40-yard run to the Chargers' 9-yard line, where Rex Burkhead took the ball to the end zone over the next two plays, the second a 6-yard touchdown run to put the Patriots up 28–7. The next time New England got the ball, they were forced into a three-and-out, but Chargers returner Desmond King muffed their punt and Albert McClellan recovered it for the Patriots on the Chargers' 35-yard line. Brady then started the ensuing possession with a 19-yard completion to Edelman, while Michel finished it with his third touchdown run, a 5-yard carry, that put the team up 35–7 with 1:40 left in the half. They nearly scored again after forcing a Los Angeles punt, but Dorsett was tackled on the Chargers' 30-yard line as time expired.

In the first half alone, Brady completed 23-of-29 passes for 233 yards and a touchdown, Michel had 16 carries for 105 yards and three touchdowns, White caught 10 passes for 71 yards, and Edelman caught 7 passes for 107 yards while also returning 3 punts for 31 yards.

Los Angeles had to punt on their opening drive of the second half and Brady's 25-yard completion to tight end Rob Gronkowski set up a 28-yard Stephen Gostkowski field goal, increasing New England's lead to 38–7. This time the Chargers were able to respond, as Williams caught 3 passes for 40 yards as the team drove 72 yards in 10 plays to score on Melvin Gordon's 1-yard touchdown run, cutting the score to 38–14. But Los Angeles' defense still could not contain New England, as Brady's completions to Edelman and White for gains of 35 and 23 yards lead to another Gostkowski field goal, giving the Patriots a 41–14 lead with 12:27 left.

Following a few punts, Rivers completed passes to Tyrell Williams and Allen for gains of 29 and 32 yards as the team drove to score on his 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end Virgil Green. Then he completed a pass to Allen for a two-point conversion, making the score 41–22 with 7:28 left. After failing to recover an onside kick, the Chargers forced a punt, but Patriots defensive back Stephon Gilmore ended their following drive with an interception. By the time Los Angeles got the ball back, only three minutes remained, which they used to drive 80 yards in 12 plays to score on Rivers' 8-yard pass to tight end Antonio Gates, making the final score 41–28 following a failed two-point conversion attempt.

Brady completed 34-of-44 passes for 343 yards and a touchdown. Edelman caught 9 passes for 131 yards and returned 5 punts for 37 yards, moving to second place all-time in playoff receptions, behind only Jerry Rice. White tied an all-time playoff record with 15 receptions for 97 yards. Michel ran 24 times for 129 yards and three touchdowns, and caught a pass for 9 yards. Rivers finished the day 25-of-51 for 331 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Tyrell Williams was his top receiver with 5 receptions for 94 yards.

With this win, Tom Brady improved his record against Rivers to 8–0 (counting regular season and playoff games).[5] It would also prove to be Rivers' last playoff game as a Charger.

Down judge Sarah Thomas became the first woman to officiate an NFL postseason game and second woman to officiate a postseason game in one of the four major North American professional sports leagues, following the NBA’s Violet Palmer.

References

  1. ^ "2018 NFL LONDON SCHEDULE KICKS OFF AT NEW TOTTENHAM STADIUM; THREE TEAMS TO MAKE UK DEBUTS". NFL Communications. January 11, 2018. Retrieved January 11, 2018.
  2. ^ Bradham, Matthew (October 1, 2018). "Philip Rivers Moves Into 8th Place All-Time in Career Passing Yards, Passes John Elway". Pack Insider. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  3. ^ "Single seasons - Passing Yds >= 4000". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
  4. ^ "Boston/New England Patriots Team Encyclopedia". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  5. ^ "Los Angeles Chargers at New England Patriots 2018 Divisional round". NFL.com. Retrieved June 2, 2022.

External links

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Played in San Diego (1961–2016)
Bold indicates AFL Championship (1960–69) or Super Bowl (1966–) victory
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