San Diego’s Gilchrist Picks Off Rams Last Chance, Chargers Win 27-24
San Diego’s Marcus Gilchrist showed that the professional game of football is, indeed, a game of inches.
According to The San Diego Union-Tribune, Gilchrist jumped Rams’ wide receiver Kenny Britt’s route to intercept the pass from quarterback Shaun Hill, to secure San Diego’s 27-24 victory. Gilchrist, who worked with Chargers’ defensive back Shareece Wright to cover Britt, moved the interception out of the end zone and advanced the ball to the two yard line with 56 seconds left to give the Chargers the much needed victory.
San Diego (7-4) fended off a strong Rams (4-7) challenge to secure the win. The Chargers got a boost with the return of running back Ryan Mathews, who contributed 105 yards on 12 carries and a touchdown. After missing seven games with a knee injury, Mathews provided an efficient spark the Chargers have not had in his absence. Though the coaches had already decided to rotate their running backs to conserve him, Mathews pulled himself from the game in the third quarter because of a shoulder injury.
While San Diego’s offense was able to put together a balanced, efficient game, the Chargers’ defense and special teams continued to play tough when it needed to. The Chargers had three sacks, one interception, and two fumble recoveries, one recovered for a 13-yard touchdown by Andrew Gakchar. Chargers captain Darrell Stuckey also blocked a field goal in the second quarter.
According to ESPN, the Rams came to play as well. Rams defensive back Janoris Jenkins intercepted a Philip Rivers pass and ran it back 99 yards to give the Rams a second-quarter lead of 10-3. The Rams also converted a fourth down with a fake punt that gained 19 yards. Rams wide receiver Tavon Auston, scored a six-yard touchdown, and contributed with key punt returns to put the Rams in good field position. However, the Rams did have two potential touchdown passes called back because of penalties. On one of those occasions, the Rams did eventually score a touchdown. On the other, the Chargers eventually blocked the field goal attempt.
Hill, making his second consecutive start for the Rams, finished 18-35 for 198 yards, with one touchdown and two sacks. The Rams still haven’t found a quarterback to replace Sam Bradford on a consistent basis. Bradford tore the ACL in his left leg for the second time in two seasons earlier this year. With the Rams on the hook for $13 million for Bradford in 2015, the team must decide what action to take, like drafting another quarterback in the 2015 draft, or relying on Bradford to return good as new.
The Rams return home next Sunday to host the Oakland Raiders at 1:00 pm EST. San Diego travels to Baltimore to face the Ravens at the same hour.
[Image courtesy Sean M. Haffey, U-T San Diego]
