The Los Angeles Chargers won their third-straight game with a 19-10 victory over the Cleveland Browns.
Game Balls
Offense: Keenan Allen – Allen has been unstoppable as of late, notching his third 100-plus yard game in a row. In Sunday's win, he had 10 receptions for 105 yards and one touchdown. The score was hisfourth in three weeks. Allen became the first player in NFL history to have 10-plus catches, 100-plus receiving yards and at least one touchdown catch in three-straight games.
Defense: Joey Bosa– Bosa led the defense with seven total tackles on the day, but his marquee play came in the fourth quarter. Bosa had a strip-sack of Browns QB DeShone Kizer on a 3rd-and-goal play, which Denzel Perryman recovered. Not only was it a game-changing play, it also set a new single-season career-high in sacks for number 99 (11.5).
Unsung Hero: Jahleel Addae– Addae was all over the field on Sunday, wreaking havoc against Browns' receivers and running backs alike. He tied for second on the team with six total tackles, but most notably notched two key pass breakups. One came on a crucial third down play that limited the Browns' damage to a field goal.
Stat of the Game:
Keenan Allen eclipsed 1,000 yards on the year on a 26-yard fourth down catch, marking the second 1,000-yard season of his career.
Play of the Game:
Facing a 3rd-and-goal, DeShone Kizer stepped back to throw. Joey Bosa came around the right edge and shook past Shon Coleman to break free. Bosa then got over to the left side to sack and strip Kizer. Denzel Perryman recovered the fumble which gave possession to the offense. The play was a true game-changer which stymied any hopes of the Browns scoring.
Turning Point:
The Chargers were only up 9-7 at halftime and needed an offensive spark to put them over the edge. They got that from none other than Keenan Allen on the opening drive of the third quarter. The offense got down to the Browns' 32, and despite losing three yards on third down, elected to go for it on fourth. Rivers got the ball out quickly enough to Allen, who made a leaping grab over Jason McCourty to move the chains. Three plays later, Allen found paydirt on a seven-yard touchdown to put the Bolts up 16-7.
It Was Over When:
The Browns got the ball back after the Chargers punted on the possession off Bosa's strip-sack. However, after they got down into Chargers' territory, Kizer's pass on second down intended for Seth DeValve was intercepted by Adrian Phillips. Once Rivers and company got back on the field, number 17 took two knees to close the game out.
Bolt Quotebook
"We knew that would be a scrappy game...We don't take that win lightly." – Head Coach Anthony Lynn
"We're in a good place right now, but we're not in a great place. And that's why we have to continue to keep working. I feel like everything is in our hands right now." – RB Melvin Gordon
"As long as we keep making plays on all three sides and phases (and) keep the team moving up and down the field and getting turnovers when we need them, we'll be great." – WR Travis Benjamin
Odds and Ends
The Chargers outgained the Browns in total yardage, 429-291. Additionally, they held a 94-89 advantage on the ground and a 335-202 edge through the air.
Philip Rivers surpassed 49,000 regular season passing yards. His touchdown today moved his career total to 335, passing Eli Manning for seventh all-time. The 300-yard passing game was the 55th of his career.
Keenan Allen led all receivers in yards and receptions. Melvin Gordon averaged 4.1 yards per carry on 19 rushes for 77 yards.
Joey Bosa paced the defense with seven total tackles, including two tackles for loss. He had one of three sacks on the day with the other two coming from Desmond King and Darius Philon.
King's sack brought his season total to 3.0, tying Martin Bayless (1990) for the fifth-most in a single season by a defensive back in team history.
The Chargers honored alumni on Sunday, highlighted by Fred Dean, Charlie Joiner and Ron Mix receiving their new Hall of Fame rings during a special halftime ceremony.
Head Coach Anthony Lynn named Tenny Palepoi as honorary captain.
Inactives for the Chargers included QB Cardale Jones, RB Branden Oliver, LB James Onwualu, OT Michael Ola, TE Sean Culkin, WR Mike Williams and DT Corey Liuget.
Chargers don their royal blues for the annual alumni appreciation game.
Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Trevor Williams, right, breaks up a pass intended for Cleveland Browns wide receiver Corey Coleman during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers looks to pass against the Cleveland Browns during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa lines up against the Cleveland Browns during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon, right, is tackled by Los Angeles Chargers free safety Tre Boston during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
Los Angeles Chargers strong safety Jahleel Addae, right, breaks up a pass intended for Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Travis Benjamin runs past Cleveland Browns cornerback Jamar Taylor during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
Tyrell Williams catches a pass as Cleveland Browns strong safety Briean Boddy-Calhoun looks on during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Kelvin Kuo)
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen scores against the Cleveland Browns during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Casey Hayward, right, breaks up a pass intended for Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku, left, is tackled by Los Angeles Chargers free safety Tre Boston during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Chargers free safety Adrian Phillips celebrates his interception against the Cleveland Browns during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Members of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrate their win against the Cleveland Browns during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynns, left, greets Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson after their win during an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
