The San Diego Chargers fell to 5-7 after dropping Sunday's game to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 28-21. The Bolts scored on their opening drive as Dontrelle Inman took a 35-yard pass from Philip Rivers into the end zone. Casey Hayward ended the Bucs' first possession after picking Jameis Winston off for the CB's seventh interception of the season. Unfortunately for the Chargers, they couldn't capitalize on the turnover as Josh Lambo missed a 53-yard field goal. Tampa Bay tied the game 7-7 after it appeared Doug Martin was stopped at the San Diego two, but kept churning to lunge over the goal line. After gaining 17 on the first play of the second quarter, Melvin Gordon made it 14-7 after capping off an 11-play, 75-yard drive with a two-yard score. The Bucs tried to add three to their score, however kicker Roberto Aguayo missed a 31-yard field goal and the Bolts walked into halftime still up a touchdown.
San Diego's defense held Tampa Bay to just three points on their opening drive of the second half as Aguayo made a 27-yard field goal to make it 14-10, Chargers. With just over four minutes left in the third quarter, Rivers' pass was broken up by Vernon Hargreaves and into the arms of LaVonte David. David took the ball 14 yards into the end zone to give Tampa Bay their first lead of the day, 17-14. Their lead didn't last long as five plays later, Rivers connected with Tyrell Williams for a 40-yard touchdown and 21-17 lead. On their next possession, the Bucs drove downfield, but their drive stalled at the San Diego 16; however, Aguayo made a 35-yard field goal to cut the Chargers' lead to one. Tampa Bay then scored eight more points in the fourth after Winston connected with Cameron Brate in the end zone for the score. A positive two-point conversion put the Bucs up 28-21. Another turnover by the Bolts in the fourth quarter gave the Bucs the ball and ultimately, sealed the win for the visitors.
IMPACT PLAYS
FIRST QUARTER
13:20 – Off play-action, Philip Rivers tossed pass to Melvin Gordon, who took the ball upfield for 17.
11:03 – Rivers tossed a short pass to Dontrelle Inman, who took the ball 35 yards into the end zone.
9:05 – Casey Hayward got his seventh interception of the season after cutting in front of Mike Evans to pick off Jameis Winston.
6:23 – Gerald McCoy came in to sack Philip Rivers for a loss of seven. On the next play, Josh Lambo missed a 53-yard field goal.
5:18 – Doug Martin took a handoff and gained 15 up the middle.
3:45 – On 2nd-and-16, Winston, under pressure, threaded a needle to Evans for a gain of 22.
1:15 – Martin kept pushing forward to lunge over the goal line to tie the game, 7-7.
SECOND QUARTER
15:00 – Gordon took a Rivers' pass up the right sideline for 17.
10:08 – Number 28 notched his 10th rushing touchdown of the year to make it 14-7, San Diego.
3:21 – After Freddie Martino got open to gain 17 on third down, the Bucs went for it on 4th-and-1, and got it courtesy of a Peyton Barber two-yard rush.
2:41 – Tight end Cameron Brate gained 18 to move the chains.
1:08 – Winston couldn't evade Joey Bosa this time as number 99 took the QB down for a loss of 12.
:49 – Roberto Aguayo missed a 31-yard field goal to keep it 14-7, Chargers.
THIRD QUARTER
14:25 – Martin took in a Winston pass good for 23 to take the ball to midfield.
10:14 – Winston dropped back and lobbed a ball to Martino, who gained 15 to get to the San Diego 12.
8:38 – Aguayo's 27-yard field goal cut San Diego's lead to four.
5:21 – Corey Liuget read the play and stuffed Martin at the line of scrimmage on 3rd-and-2 to force a Buccaneers punt.
4:32 – On first down, Rivers' pass was broken up by Vernon Hargreaves and bounced into the arms of LaVonte David. David then ran the ball 14 yards into the end zone for a pick six and the lead.
2:31 – Gordon broke a tackle and galloped down the left sideline for a gain of 23.
1:42 – Rivers hit Tyrell Williams in stride for a 40-yard touchdown.
1:33 – Brate gained 38 on the first pass right after the Bolts' touchdown to move into San Diego territory.
FOURTH QUARTER
13:07 – Aguayo booted a 37-yard field goal to make it a one point game.
11:34 – Travis Benjamin, who was open, dropped a pass to force a Chargers punt.
10:35 – Jacquizz Rodgers took a short pass down the right sideline for a gain of 21.
9:06 – Brate helped the Bucs regain the lead after a 12-yard score. Tampa Bay then went for two and made it.
9:01 – Rivers was sacked by Robert Ayers for a loss of seven on first down.
7:26 – Gates gained 14 when the offense needed 11 to move the chains.
5:26 – Gordon pushed his way through the pile for a hard-fought one yard to nab the first down.
3:04 – Rivers stepped back to throw in the direction of Inman; however, Keith Tandy cut in front of number 15 to pick off the ball in the end zone for the touchback.
2:05 – On 3rd-and-1, Rodgers rushed up the middle to move the chains for the visitors and seal the win.
