|
|
LAC |
NE |
Patriots capitalize on Chargers' mistakes in 21-13 win
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) With his final attempt to bring his team back failed, Philip Rivers pulled off his helmet and flung it toward the Gillette Stadium turf. It bounced back perfectly and into his waiting hands.
It was one of the few things that a Los Angeles Chargers player executed well in their 21-13 loss to the New England Patriots Sunday.
Tom Brady passed for 333 yards and a touchdown, Stephen Gostkowski added four field goals to help the Patriots (6-2) hold on for the victory, their fourth straight.
The loss snapped a three-game win streak for the Chargers.
New England got its lone touchdown via a 2-yard toss from Brady to Rob Gronkowski in the second quarter. The Patriots went 1 for 4 in the red zone, but were able to cobble together the Gostkowki field goals and a safety. The defense, which gave up 30 or more points three times in their first four games, has given up just 51 points total over its last four. And it did it this time without linebacker Dont'a Hightower, who sat out Sunday's win and expected to miss the remainder of the season following shoulder surgery .
''We just wanted to come out here and play for him,'' linebacker Kyle Van Noy said. ''It's always rough when you have a season-ending injury. ...We just want to show our support that we're holding it down for them.''
Los Angeles (3-5) got on the board first when Melvin Gordon found a seam on the outside and rumbled down the sideline for an 87-yard touchdown run . But the rest of the game was marked by Los Angeles' mistakes and inability to move the ball offensively.
The Chargers cut the Patriots' lead to 18-13 with 8:30 to play following a 24-yard touchdown pass from Philip Rivers to Travis Benjamin and failed 2-point conversion pass. They got the ball back a final time after New England added Gostkowski's fourth field goal. But Rivers' pass with 1 second remaining was intercepted at the goal line by Jonathan Jones.
Rivers finished 17 of 30 for 212 yards.
Los Angeles' mistakes were highlighted in a wild way in the second quarter when Benjamin muffed a punt inside the Chargers 15, recovered it and retreated all the way to own goal line while trying to reverse field. He was corralled by a Patriots group that included Brandon King, Matt Slater and Jones, then finally wrapped up by King and tackled in the end zone for a safety.
''We weren't going to let him escape,'' Jones said.
Rivers had a similarly head-scratching play early in the third quarter when he rolled to the outside to escape the pass rush, but had the ball slip out of his hands for a fumble. He recovered, but the play resulted in a 20-yard loss and a sack credited to Van Noy.
INJURIES
Chargers: LB Hayes Pullard left the field after a collision late in the fourth quarter.
Patriots: RT Marcus Cannon left in the first half with an ankle injury. ... WR Chris Hogan left with a shoulder injury from the same collision with Pullard.
STAGNANT OFFENSE
Other than Gordon's touchdown run, the Chargers were mostly ineffective offensively in the opening 30 minutes. They ran only 19 total plays. By comparison, New England passed the ball 26 times in the first two quarters.
''We fought our way back to at least give ourselves a chance,'' Rivers said. ''Not a lot of room for error down the stretch if we want to accomplish all our goals we still have out there. But certainly, everything is still in front of us.''
QUOTABLE
''We prefer to win.'' - Patriots coach Bill Belichick on if he minds the defense taking the lead over the past four wins as the offense has struggled in the red zone.
LONG RUN
Gordon's 87-yard touchdown matched the longest run in Chargers history. Paul Lowe also had an 87- yard run against the Dallas Texans in 1961.
FAMILIAR TARGET
Gronkowski's first-quarter touchdown catch from Brady marked the 72nd time the two of them have connected for a score. It is the most TDs among any NFL duo since Gronkowski entered the league in 2010.
UP NEXT
Chargers: Bye week, at Jaguars on Nov. 12.
Patriots: Bye week, at Broncos on Nov. 12.
---
For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL
Copyright 2017 by STATS. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS is strictly prohibited.
M. Gordon
33 RB 132 RuYds, RuTD, 7 ReYds, REC |
19
FPTS
|
|
T. Brady
12 QB 333 PaYds, PaTD, 2 RuYds |
19
FPTS
|
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
Time of Pos | - | - |
1st Downs | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Passing | 0 | 0 |
Penalty | 0 | 0 |
3rd Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
4th Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Total Net Yards | 0 | 0 |
Total Plays | 0 | 0 |
Avg Gain | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Rush Attempts | 0 | 0 |
Avg Rush Yards | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Passing | 0 | 0 |
Comp. - Att. | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Yards Per Pass | 0 | 0 |
Penalties - Yards | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Touchdowns | ||
Rushing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Passing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Other | ||
Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. Thrown | 0 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Return Yards | ||
Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Red Zone Eff. | 0-0 -0% | 0-0 -0% |
Goal to Go Eff. | 0-0 -0% | 0-0 -0% |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
P. RiversÂ
17 QB
12 FPTS
|
P. Rivers | 17/30 | 212 | 1 | 1 | 12 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
M. GordonÂ
28 RB
19 FPTS
|
M. Gordon | 14 | 132 | 1 | 87 | 19 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. BenjaminÂ
12 WR
13 FPTS
|
T. Benjamin | 2 | 14 | 0 | 7 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. EkelerÂ
30 RB
1 FPTS
|
A. Ekeler | 2 | 8 | 0 | 5 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. OliverÂ
32 RB
0 FPTS
|
B. Oliver | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
T. BenjaminÂ
12 WR
13 FPTS
|
T. Benjamin | 9 | 5 | 64 | 1 | 24 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
K. AllenÂ
13 WR
6 FPTS
|
K. Allen | 5 | 4 | 61 | 0 | 18 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. GatesÂ
85 TE
2 FPTS
|
A. Gates | 2 | 2 | 25 | 0 | 16 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ty. WilliamsÂ
16 WR
2 FPTS
|
Ty. Williams | 6 | 1 | 24 | 0 | 24 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. EkelerÂ
30 RB
1 FPTS
|
A. Ekeler | 1 | 1 | 13 | 0 | 13 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
H. HenryÂ
86 TE
1 FPTS
|
H. Henry | 2 | 2 | 11 | 0 | 7 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. WilliamsÂ
81 WR
0 FPTS
|
M. Williams | 2 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. GordonÂ
28 RB
19 FPTS
|
M. Gordon | 2 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 19 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
A. PhillipsÂ
31 SS
|
A. Phillips | 12-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
H. PullardÂ
50 MLB
|
H. Pullard | 10-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tr. WilliamsÂ
24 CB
|
Tr. Williams | 8-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. AddaeÂ
37 SS
|
J. Addae | 8-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. BostonÂ
33 FS
|
T. Boston | 4-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. BosaÂ
99 DE
|
J. Bosa | 4-0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. KingÂ
20 DB
|
D. King | 4-0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. SquareÂ
71 NT
|
D. Square | 4-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. BrownÂ
57 ILB
|
J. Brown | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. ToomerÂ
56 ILB
|
K. Toomer | 2-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. DzubnarÂ
48 LB
|
N. Dzubnar | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. McCainÂ
40 DE
|
C. McCain | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. PalepoiÂ
95 DE
|
T. Palepoi | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. HaywardÂ
26 CB
|
C. Hayward | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. PhilonÂ
93 DE
|
D. Philon | 1-1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. JenkinsÂ
25 SAF
|
R. Jenkins | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. OnwualuÂ
49 LB
|
J. Onwualu | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. IngramÂ
54 OLB
|
M. Ingram | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. DavisÂ
43 CB
|
M. Davis | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. EkelerÂ
30 RB
|
A. Ekeler | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. EmanuelÂ
51 OLB
|
K. Emanuel | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
N. NovakÂ
9 K
1 FPTS
|
N. Novak | 0/1 | 0 | 1/1 | 1 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
D. KaserÂ
8 P
|
D. Kaser | 5 | 45.0 | 1 | 56 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
T. Benjamin 12 WR
13 FPTS
|
T. Benjamin | 1 | -8.0 | -8 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
T. BradyÂ
12 QB
19 FPTS
|
T. Brady | 32/47 | 333 | 1 | 0 | 19 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
D. LewisÂ
33 RB
5 FPTS
|
D. Lewis | 15 | 44 | 0 | 10 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. GillisleeÂ
35 RB
3 FPTS
|
M. Gillislee | 11 | 34 | 0 | 9 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. BurkheadÂ
34 RB
7 FPTS
|
R. Burkhead | 4 | 15 | 0 | 7 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. WhiteÂ
28 RB
8 FPTS
|
J. White | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. BradyÂ
12 QB
19 FPTS
|
T. Brady | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 19 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
J. WhiteÂ
28 RB
8 FPTS
|
J. White | 6 | 5 | 85 | 0 | 27 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
R. BurkheadÂ
34 RB
7 FPTS
|
R. Burkhead | 7 | 7 | 68 | 0 | 14 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. HoganÂ
15 WR
6 FPTS
|
C. Hogan | 7 | 5 | 60 | 0 | 19 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
R. GronkowskiÂ
87 TE
11 FPTS
|
R. Gronkowski | 9 | 5 | 57 | 1 | 26 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
B. CooksÂ
14 WR
2 FPTS
|
B. Cooks | 8 | 5 | 26 | 0 | 9 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. AmendolaÂ
80 WR
1 FPTS
|
D. Amendola | 6 | 2 | 14 | 0 | 9 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. HollisterÂ
47 TE
1 FPTS
|
J. Hollister | 1 | 1 | 13 | 0 | 13 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. LewisÂ
33 RB
5 FPTS
|
D. Lewis | 2 | 2 | 10 | 0 | 11 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. DevelinÂ
46 FB
0 FPTS
|
J. Develin | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
K. Van NoyÂ
53 OLB
|
K. Van Noy | 6-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. RobertsÂ
52 OLB
|
E. Roberts | 5-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. BademosiÂ
29 CB
|
J. Bademosi | 4-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. McCourtyÂ
32 FS
|
D. McCourty | 4-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. FlowersÂ
98 DE
|
T. Flowers | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. MarshÂ
55 OLB
|
C. Marsh | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. JonesÂ
31 CB
|
J. Jones | 1-0 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. RichardsÂ
37 SS
|
J. Richards | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. ReillyÂ
51 LB
|
T. Reilly | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. BurkheadÂ
34 RB
|
R. Burkhead | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. GuyÂ
93 DE
|
L. Guy | 1-4 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. SlaterÂ
18 WR
|
M. Slater | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. ButlerÂ
70 DT
|
A. Butler | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
P. ChungÂ
23 SS
|
P. Chung | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. KingÂ
36 DB
|
B. King | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. FlowersÂ
59 LB
|
M. Flowers | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. ButlerÂ
21 CB
|
M. Butler | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. WiseÂ
91 DT
|
D. Wise | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
S. GostkowskiÂ
3 K
13 FPTS
|
S. Gostkowski | 4/6 | 43 | 1/1 | 13 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
R. AllenÂ
6 P
|
R. Allen | 3 | 43.3 | 3 | 57 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
D. LewisÂ
33 RB
5 FPTS
|
D. Lewis | 2 | 48.0 | 71 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. AmendolaÂ
80 WR
1 FPTS
|
D. Amendola | 1 | 16.0 | 16 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
D. Amendola 80 WR
1 FPTS
|
D. Amendola | 4 | 6.5 | 12 | 0 |