The Chargers are now 8-4 after Sunday's 17-13 win in Atlanta.
Here's a game recap from Week 13.
First Quarter
Justin Herbert, Derwin James, Bradley Bozeman, Rashawn Slater, Khalil Mack and Josh Harris were the Chargers captains. The Falcons won the toss and elected to receive. The Chargers defense took the field first and allowed the Falcons to drive down the field. But the Bolts held strong in the red zone before the Falcons missed a 35-yard field goal. The Chargers took over on their own 25 with 8 minutes and 33 seconds left in the first quarter. The Bolts faced an early third-and-1 but Hassan Haskins fumbled on the play as Atlanta recovered. The Falcons turned the takeaway into points on a 2-yard touchdown run. The Bolts responded with a 49-yard play from Herbert to Ladd McConkey, who fumbled but the ball was recovered by Derius Davis. The Chargers settled for a 45-yard field goal and cut Atlanta's lead to 7-3.
Second Quarter
The Bolts started the second quarter with a bang as Tarheeb Still picked off Kirk Cousins in Chargers territory.
The Bolts started at their own 34 and crossed midfield with a 20-yard connection from Herbert to McConkey. But the Chargers drive stalled in Falcons territory as Dicker cut into the deficit with a 51-yard field goal. The Chargers defense then forced an Atlanta punt as James blew up a run on third-and-1. Down 7-6, the Bolts started at their own 21 and picked up a first down on Herbert's quarterback sneak. Rookie Kimani Vidal then ripped off a 16-yard run before Herbert hit McConkey for 13 more yards. The Bolts later faced third-and-8 from the Falcons 29 but converted as Herbert found McConkey for 13 more yards. The Chargers drive stalled out in the red zone, however, as Dicker hit a 34-yard field goal to give the Bolts a 9-7 lead. Atlanta drove to midfield but the Bolts forced an incompletion on third down as the Falcons punted it away. The Chargers took a knee and went into halftime with a 9-7 lead.
Third Quarter
The Bolts began the second half with the ball and picked up a quick first down but were forced to punt a few plays later. The Chargers defense stood tall when it mattered most on the ensuing drive as they limited the Falcons to a 41-yard field goal. Down 10-9, the Bolts went three-and-out after the drive was hampered by a false start and a sack. The Chargers defense forced Atlanta into fourth down but the Falcons converted on fourth-and-1 to keep the drive alive. Atlanta later faced fourth-and-5 from the Chargers 40 before Still made the play of his young career by intercepting Cousins and taking it 61 yards for a touchdown.
The Chargers hit on the ensuing 2-point play to take a 17-10 lead with 1:39 left in the third quarter. Atlanta responded with a 60-yard play to get into the red zone late in the third quarter. But the Bolts red-zone defense came up big as they forced Atlanta to kick another field goal. The Chargers led 17-13 at the end of the third quarter.
Fourth Quarter
The Chargers tried a fake punt early in the fourth quarter on fourth-and-4 but JK Scott's completed pass to Stone Smartt only went for three yards. But the Chargers defense came up clutch as Marcus Maye, who was added to the roster on Wednesday, picked off Cousins in the end zone on third down.
The Bolts offense couldn't do much after the takeaway as the Chargers were forced to punt after just four offensive plays. Atlanta began at their own 6 with just over six minutes left in regulation. Atlanta faced fourth-and-3 from their own 40 but the Chargers were called for defensive holding to give the Falcons a fresh set of downs. Atlanta moved into Chargers territory but Teair Tart sacked Cousins to move the ball back to the 44. Still had a massive pass breakup on third-and-12 to bring up fourth-and-12. James ended the threat with an interception, the Chargers fourth of the day on Cousins. The Bolts won 17-13 to improve to 8-4.
Check out some photos of the Chargers arriving for their Week 13 game in Atlanta!
