The Los Angeles Chargers improved to 4-9 on the season after a 20-17 win over the Atlanta Falcons.
First quarter
The Chargers won the coin toss and elected to defer. Atlanta went three-and-out on its first offensive possession.
Los Angeles opened with a 15-play, 83-yard drive on offense that took up 9 minutes, 33 seconds. Wide receiver Keenan Allen's 10-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Justin Herbert gave the Chargers an early 7-0 lead.
The receiving score was Allen's eighth of the year, tying a career high. Running back Austin Ekeler touched the ball six times for 47 yards.
The Falcons responded on their next possession. Lined up in the wildcat formation on a third-and-one, wide receiver Russell Gage threw a 39-yard touchdown to wide receiver Calvin Ridley, tying the score at 7-7 after a Younghoe Koo extra point.
Second quarter
Uchenna Nwosu got to Matt Ryan on third down for the Bolts' first sack of the game, but the Falcons got their first lead of the day off a 45-yard field goal to make it 10-7, Atlanta, with 9:47 left in the second quarter.
The lead didn't last very long. On the ensuing Chargers drive, Nasir Adderley had a 76-yard kickoff return. Four plays later, Michael Badgley tied the game with a 36-yard field goal.
Atlanta's fourth drive of the game ended in points with Ryan connecting with Laquon Treadwell for a nine-yard score and 17-10 lead.
The Chargers will get the ball to start the second half.
Third quarter
After a three-and-out to start the second half, the Chargers got the ball back after Rayshawn Jenkins intercepted Ryan in the end zone with 9:31 remaining in the quarter.
Los Angeles, with the ball at its own 20-yard line, engineered a 13-play, 80-yard drive. A 12-yard touchdown pass from Herbert to wide receiver Tyron Johnson tied the game at 17-17 after Badgley's extra point. Ekeler touched the ball six times on the drive for 44 yards.
Fourth quarter
Early in the fourth quarter, Allen set the record for the most receptions by a player in his first 100 games. He has 623 catches in 99 games.
The Falcons got deep into Chargers territory, but Jaheel Addae cut in front of Hayden Hurst to pick the ball off for Ryan's second interception of the day.
The teams traded picks as on the ensuing Chargers drive as Blidi Wreh-Wilson intercepted Herbert with :43 left in regulation.
On that next Atlanta drive, Michael Davis picked off Ryan. Herbert eventually connected with Hunter Henry to get the ball to midfield with :16 seconds left in the game. They then got the ball to the ATL 26 after a 25 yard gain to Johnson.
Badgley came on to attempt a 43-yard field goal and it was good to give the Bolts the win.
