The Los Angeles Chargers are moving on to the AFC Divisional Round after beating the Baltimore Ravens, 23-17.
Game Balls
Offense: Mike Williams – Williams may have only had two receptions in Sunday's win, but both went for first downs. His longest, a 28-yard reception, came on second down and took the ball to the Ravens' 15. Five plays later, Melvin Gordon rushed in for the Chargers' only TD of the day. But then, the offense opted to go for two, and akin to what we saw in Kansas City, Philip Rivers found a wide-open Mike Williams in the corner of the end zone for a successful conversion.
Defense: Adrian Phillips – Phillips capped off an exciting week in which he was named a first-team All-Pro for his play on special teams with a dominant defensive performance. AP had a key fumble recovery and interception – both which led to points for the team. In the process, he became the first Charger in postseason history with an interception and a fumble recovery in the same game. It was the first time that any player did so in the postseason since Atlanta CB Robert Alford in Super Bowl LI against New England.
Special Teams: Michael Badgley – Usually we'll call this Unsung Hero, but you couldn't deny the performance Badgley had on Sunday. After all, the Money Badger not only recorded the second-longest field goal in team postseason annals, but he finished the game with five made field goals and 15 points, setting a team record for the most single-game makes and points scored in Chargers postseason history.
Stat of the Game:
Michael Badgley's 15 points brought him past Nate Kaeding (five points in 2004 AFC Wild Card vs. New York Jets) for the most points by a Chargers rookie kicker in a single postseason game.
Play of the Game & It Was Over When:
Baltimore got the ball back with just under a minute to play needing a touchdown to win the game. Facing a 2nd-and-10 with 28-seconds left, Lamar Jackson stepped back, and Uchenna Nwosu came in with his hand for the strip-sack on the QB. As the batted ball rolled backwards, Melvin Ingram pounced on it to give possession to the offense and allow the team to walk out of M&T Bank Stadium with a win.
Turning Point:
Towards the end of the third quarter, Melvin Gordon rushed up the middle and appeared to get into the end zone as the play was ruled a touchdown. However, as all scoring plays are reviewed, this one was looked at and reversed. On the next play, Gordon was in for the TD and coupled with a successful two-point conversion attempt, the Bolts increased their lead, 20-3. Although they ended up eventually getting another field goal, the touchdown was huge as it was their sole one of the entire afternoon and contributed to their win.
Bolt Quotebook
"This is a tough place to play. I feel like the first time we played them, we played their game. Today, I think we played our game. Our defense was outstanding. We held that team under 100 yards rushing. I don't think anyone's played that team the way our defense played them today. I was really impressed with the way our defense stepped up, especially playing the little guys inside and not playing with our linebackers." – Head Coach Anthony Lynn
"You live for those moments. It wasn't nervousness at all. It was just like, 'It's on us.' We've been in this situation before and why not end it" – S Adrian Phillips
"We knew that it was a great defense. We knew that they were going to throw a lot of different things at us. They were just trying to get off the field, so I mean, I feel like that play was a big momentum drive for us. We needed a play like that." – WR Mike Williams
Odds and Ends
The Chargers outgained the Ravens in total yardage, 243-229. Baltimore held a one-yard advantage on the ground (90-89), while the Bolts held a 154-139 edge through the air.
Antonio Gates posted 35 yards on four catches, bringing him to 490 career postseason receiving yards to pass Russ Francis (474) and Jason Witten (486) for the 10th-most by a tight end in NFL postseason history. Gates also reached 46 career postseason catches, passing Witten for No. 8 among tight ends in postseason annals.
Melvin Ingram paced the defense with seven solo tackles. Jahleel Addae had seven total tackles as well. Additionally, Ingram had two sacks, two QB hits, two tackles for loss, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery. The sacks were Ingram's first of his postseason career and gave him the most sacks by a Chargers defender in a postseason game since Raylee Johnson had two sacks in Super Bowl XXIX against San Francisco.
With Uchenna Nwosu's sack at the end of the game, the team had seven on the day, tying the most sacks by a Chargers defense in a postseason game in franchise history. Additional contributions came from: Ingram (2.0), Justin Jones (1.0), Desmond King (1.0), Joey Bosa (1.0) and Isaac Rochell (1.0).
Mike Pouncey and Rayshawn Jenkins served as today's honorary captains.
Inactives for the Chargers included Troymaine Pope, Forrest Lamp, Jatavis Brown, Cole Toner, Dylan Cantrell, Anthony Lanier and Brandon Mebane.
Browse through the top game action photos as the Bolts take on the Baltimore Ravens during Wild Card weekend.
Derwin James runs after QB Lamar Jackson during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Derwin James runs after QB Lamar Jackson during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Chargers defense on the field during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Adrian Phillips recovers a Ravens fumble during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Adrian Phillips recovers a Ravens fumble during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Adrian Phillips recovers a Ravens fumble during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
The Bolts celebrate Adrian Phillips' fumble recovery during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Adrian Phillips celebrates a fumble recovery during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Los Angeles Chargers strong safety Jahleel Addae, left, and free safety Derwin James tackle Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Willie Snead in the first half of an NFL wild card playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 6, 2019, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
MIchael Badgley kicks a field goal during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
The Bolts celebrate Desmond King's large punt return during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Joey Bosa sacks QB Lamar Jackson during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Joey Bosa sacks QB Lamar Jackson during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Casey Hayward and Sam Tevi congratulate Michael Badgley on one of his field goals during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Adrian Phillips tackles RB Kenneth Dixon during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Keenan Allen leaps to catch a pass from Philip Rivers during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Melvin Gordon leaps over defenders during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Adrian Phillips reaches out to intercept the ball during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Defense celebrates on the field during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Keenan Allen catches a pass from Philip Rivers during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Austin Ekeler runs downfield during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Mike Windt fist bumps Michael Badgley after Badgley knocked in another field goal during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Mike Williams turns to run after catching a pass from Philip Rivers during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) and center Mike Pouncey (53) during an NFL wild card football game against the Baltimore Ravens Jan. 06, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Logan Bowles / NFL)
Justin Jones celebrates during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Michael Badgley kicks a field goal during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Philip Rivers looks to throw during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Austin Ekeler runs downfield during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Desmond King returns a kick during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Desmond King returns a kick for 72 yards during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Nick Dzubnar and Desmond King celebrate King's 72-yard kick return during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Desmond King celebrates his 72-yard kick return during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Justin Jones sacks QB Lamar Jackson during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Justin Jones celebrates sacking QB Lamar Jackson during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Melvin Ingram celebrates sacking QB Lamar Jackson during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Melvin Ingram celebrates sacking QB Lamar Jackson during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Antonio Gates and Philip Rivers celebrate a completed pass during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Travis Benjamin runs downfield during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Mike Williams jumps to catch the ball during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Mike Williams jumps to catch the ball during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Mike Williams celebrates catching a pass from Philip Rivers during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Mike Williams celebrates a catch during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Melvin Gordon runs in a touchdown during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Melvin Gordon runs in a touchdown during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Melvin Gordon runs in a touchdown during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Melvin Gordon scores a touchdown during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Melvin Gordon and Derek Watt celebrate Gordon's touchdown during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
The Bolts celebrate Gordon's touchdown during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Mike Williams catches the ball for a two-point conversion during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Mike Williams celebrates catching a successful two-point conversion attempt during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Mike Williams celebrates a successful two-point conversion during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Mike Williams celebrates a successful two-point conversion during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Mike Williams celebrates a successful two-point conversion during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
The Bolts celebrate Gordon's touchdown and Williams' successful two-point conversion during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Nick Dzubnar tackles during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Philip Rivers runs the ball for a first down during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Philip Rivers runs the ball for a first down during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Philip Rivers runs the ball for a first down during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Michael Badgley kicks a field goal during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Melvin Ingram tackles during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Melvin Ingram sacks tackles during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) and Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Isaac Rochell (98) during an NFL wild card football game on Jan. 06, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Perry Knotts/ NFL)
T.Y. McGill and Isaac Rochell celebrate Rochell sacking QB Lamar Jackson during the Wild Card matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
