The San Diego Chargers fell 33-27 to the Kansas City Chiefs in the season opener. After being up 24-3 at one point, the Bolts let the Chiefs score 16 unanswered points to eventually win the game.
Stat of the Game:
Melvin Gordon became the first Charger running back with two TDs in the first half of the season opener since Gene Foster in 1965.
Play of the Game:
Gordon had a stellar preseason and continued his strong play in the opener. Two snaps after he rushed for 17 yards to get to the KC seven, Gordon took the ball and rushed over right guard for a one-yard score; the first of his NFL career.
Turning Point:
With a 27-10 lead, the Chargers chose to send Josh Lambo out for a 54-yard field goal attempt. The kick went wide right and the Chiefs took over. On the ensuing drive, Kansas City scored a touchdown to bring the score within 10.
It Was Over When:
Facing a 3rd-and-2 in overtime, Smith rushed up the middle for a two-yard touchdown. The TD ended the game and the Chargers never had an opportunity to possess the ball in OT.
Bolt Quotebook
"You have to do a better job. As I mentioned, we're all in this together, we're not pointing fingers and we're going to evaluate film and learn from it. We have to execute better. It's all of us together; coaches and players together and we have to be able to stop a team." – Head Coach Mike McCoy
"We are not going to allow ourselves to lose the close ones (going forward). We have to find a way to dig deep; we have to find a way and we will. We fell short today. It happens but we have 15 more left to make a statement." – RB Melvin Gordon
"(We have to) stay together. It's Week 1. Don't get down on yourself (and) don't go pointing the finger. This is a new season, we can make corrections on Monday and we move on from there; we have a game next Sunday, it's all you can do." – NT Brandon Mebane
"The effort was there, but we just have to finish and make the little plays. We have to stay together. We don't want to be individuals out there, we have to stay together and play as one." – ILB Manti Te'o
"Obviously, it is terrible to see Keenan (Allen) go down like that. Especially when you see Keenan work so hard to be where he's at and be so successful, it sucks to see a guy like that go down." – WR Tyrell Williams
Odds and Ends
The Chiefs outgained the Chargers in total yardage (413 to 388 yards) and passing yards (330 to 233). However, the Bolts held the advantage on the ground 155 to 83 yards.
Philip Rivers finished the game 25 of 36 for one touchdown and 243 yards.
Danny Woodhead led all rushers with 89 yards; however, Melvin Gordon had 57 yards and two touchdowns on the ground for the day.
Travis Benjamin led the receivers in receptions but Tyrell Williams led in yardage. His two catches were good for 71.
Manti Te'o led the defense with 10 total tackles. In addition, Brandon Mebane, Jerry Attaochu and Caraun Reid all had sacks. Casey Hayward led with two passes defensed while Jason Verrett had the team's sole interception.
Former Chiefs CB Brandon Flowers served as an honorary captain.
Inactives for the Chargers included S Adrian Phillips, RB Andre Williams, C Max Tuerk, T Tyreek Burwell, G-T Kenny Wiggins, WR Isaiah Burse and NT Ryan Carrethers.
