Threes and D.
That's what the Los Angeles Chargers used to defeat the Baltimore Ravens 23-17 in Sunday's AFC Wild Card Round from M&T Bank Stadium.
Rookie kicker Michael Badgley converted on five field goals, while Los Angeles' defense forced two turnovers, sacked quarterback Lamar Jackson seven times and held Baltimore to 229 yards of total offense -- the fewest allowed in postseason team history. Badgley set a single-game postseason team record for made field goals and points.
Down 23-3, the Ravens scored 14 unanswered points in the fourth quarter with an opportunity to win the game down six. With 28 seconds remaining, linebacker Uchenna Nwosu sacked Jackson, who fumbled. Defensive end Melvin Ingram recovered the ball to end the game.
The Chargers won time of possession 33:40 to 26:20. Quarterback Philip Rivers finished the game 22-of-32 for 160 yards while spreading the ball to nine different receivers. Running back Melvin Gordon rushed for 40 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries.
Chargers Defensive Coordinator Gus Bradley featured seven defensive backs on the field for much of the game. In the first quarter, Ingram forced a Jackson fumble, which was recovered by safety Adrian Phillips. The turnover set up a 21-yard Badgley field goal that gave Los Angeles an early 3-0 lead.
Later in the quarter, the rookie kicker converted from 53 yards out to increase the Chargers' lead to 6-0. Badgley added his third field goal in the second quarter, a 40-yarder off a Phillips interception of Jackson. His fourth was a 34-yarder as time expired in the second quarter to put Los Angeles up 12-0 at halftime.
In a drive that began late in the third quarter and ended in the fourth, Gordon's one-yard touchdown rush -- L.A.'s lone TD of the game -- capped a 10-play, 60-yard drive. Wide receiver Mike Williams' two-point conversion put Los Angeles up 20-3. Badgley's 47-yard field goal in the fourth quarter was L.A.'s final score of the game.
Ingram had two sacks while defensive ends Joey Bosa and Isaac Rochell, defensive tackle Justin Jones, defensive back Desmond King and Nwosu each chipped in with one apiece.
The Chargers committed five penalties -- two fewer than Baltimore.
UP NEXT
Los Angeles will travel to face the New England Patriots in the AFC Divisional Round. Kickoff from Gillette Stadium is on Sunday, Jan. 13, at 10:05 a.m. Pacific on CBS.
