Chargers vs. Packers: Postgame Grades, Notes and Quotes for San Diego
For the second time this week, the San Diego Chargers suffered a heartbreaking loss in the closing seconds of a game.
On Monday, the defense surrendered the game-winning touchdown as time expired for a 24-20 loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers. And on Sunday, it was the offense that came up short as the Chargers failed to score on 4th-and-goal from the 3-yard line with 20 seconds remaining.
Philip Rivers' pass to the end zone was broken up by rookie Damarious Randall, and the Green Bay Packers held on for a 27-20 win, their 12 consecutive at home and sixth straight on the season. Packers head coach Mike McCoy said after the game, per Chargers.com, "A brutal loss losing the way we did…but I'm proud of the way this team fought."
San Diego drops to 2-4 with the loss and still has not won a road game this season. Click next for this week's grades, notes and quotes.
Position Grades for Chargers
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| Position | Grade |
| QB | A |
| RB | C+ |
| WR | A |
| TE | A |
| OL | C+ |
| DL | C |
| LB | C+ |
| DB | C |
| Special Teams | C |
| Coaching | B |
QB: He didn't get the win, but it's hard not to appreciate the effort by Rivers, which was incredible considering the opponent and the personnel he had to work with. He was missing three starters on the offensive line, lost receiver Keenan Allen in the third quarter and still threw for over 500 yards. What a performance by him.
RB: The Chargers had only 60 yards rushing, and Melvin Gordon fumbled twice in the first half. However, Danny Woodhead and Branden Oliver contributed in the passing game with a combined nine catches for 103 yards. For that, San Diego's backfield deserves some credit.
WR: A spectacular day by Allen that was cut short by injury. He finished with 14 catches for 157 yards. Malcom Floyd had 95 yards with a 50-yard catch and Dontrelle Inman caught his first career touchdown before the half. With Rivers having a career day in the passing game, of course the receivers benefited.
TE: Antonio Gates topped 90 yards for the second straight game (nine receptions, 95 yards), and Ladarius Green hauled in a 19-yard touchdown that tied the game at 17-17 in the third quarter. It was a good day for the tight ends.
OL: The offensive line almost made it through three whole quarters without allowing a sack. And considering who was starting, three sacks total isn't all that bad. Of course, there was no run game to speak of, but the pass protection Rivers got was solid.
DL: Aaron Rodgers, more often than not, had plenty of time in the pocket to throw, and the Packers gained 133 yards on the ground. However, a good day's work was put in by Corey Liuget with five tackles and a sack.
LB: With Manti Te'o out due to an ankle injury, rookie Denzel Perryman made his first career start at inside linebacker—and it was a good one. He led the team with eight tackles and forced a fumble with a crushing hit on Packers running back Eddie Lacy.
Jeremiah Attaochu sacked Rodgers twice, one of which put Green Bay out of field-goal position. But, and this is a big one, he failed to recover the fumble forced by Perryman despite getting his hands on it. Attaochu tried to pick it up instead of falling on it, and one of Green Bay's offensive linemen was able to wrestle it away.
DB: Brandon Flowers entered the game having allowed five receiving touchdowns on the season—the sixth came against James Jones. The one-time Pro Bowl cornerback has been struggling, but in his defense, the back-shoulder throw to Jones is no routine play in coverage.
Meanwhile, Rodgers didn't put on a passing clinic against the Chargers secondary, but at least five receivers had catches of 20 or more yards.
Special Teams: Josh Lambo connected on field goals of 32 and 36 yards. Jacoby Jones, who has been a disappointment in the return game, had negative-seven yards in punt returns.
Coaching: McCoy took a lot of necessary risks with his football team, and it seemed like the right move against a tough opponent on the road. However, why he allowed the clock to run down before the half despite having two timeouts is oddly puzzling. He continues to hoard timeouts rather than put them to good use.
Rivers Sets Franchise Record for Attempts, Completions and Yards
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Rivers set franchise passing records for attempts (65), completions (43) and yards (503) against the Packers, who entered Sunday tied for second with the fewest passing yards allowed per game at 186. The most Green Bay had previously allowed was 290 yards to Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith. Additionally, Rivers became the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for 500 yards with no interceptions and lose.
It was quite an effort by San Diego's quarterback, one fans should appreciate despite the loss.
Allen Ties Franchise Record for First-Half Catches
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Allen tied a franchise record for first-half catches with 11 and set a new record for first-half yardage with 128. Unfortunately for the Chargers, he suffered a hip injury in the third quarter and did not return to the game. His day ended with 14 catches for 157 yards, which is the most allowed to one player by Green Bay this season.
By the way it was looking, Allen might have challenged for the single-game record of 25 catches had he been able to finish out the final two quarters.
Rivers on the Offensive Line
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The Packers entered Sunday with the second-most sacks (20) in the league, and San Diego's offensive line, despite missing three starters, limited Green Bay to only three sacks. King Dunlap (concussion), Orlando Franklin (ankle) and Chris Watt (concussion, groin) did not play, and Chris Hairston and D.J. Fluker played through ankle injuries. In his postgame news conference, Rivers praised the effort made by his makeshift offensive line. "The way they fought and the way they played was awesome."
To put it into perspective, Rivers made it through 45 pass attempts before Green Bay's first sack in the third quarter.
McCoy on Why Gordon Saw No Snaps in Second Half
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Gordon fumbled twice in the first half, bringing his season total to four. When asked why Gordon saw no snaps in the second half, McCoy told reporters after the game, "He put the ball on the ground twice. We've got to eliminate that."
As if Gordon's leash wasn't short enough with him being a rookie, it will only get tighter with him being fumble-prone through the first six games. Woodhead and Oliver played out the second half at running back while Gordon watched from the sideline.
McCoy Gets Emotional When Asked About Rivers
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Not one to wear his emotions on his sleeve when dealing with the media, McCoy got a little choked up when talking about his quarterback and the way he played: "He's unbelievable. He's a warrior. He's the best in the business."
San Diego's players and coaches have been through a lot this week with two difficult losses, and it's understandable McCoy felt the way he did talking about Rivers given how hard the quarterback fought to get the win.
All quotes courtesy of Chargers.com unless otherwise noted.
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