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Of all the things the Chargers accomplished at Giants Stadium Sunday in their come-from-behind victory against the team that posted the NFC’s best record a year ago, it was the team’s character that made Head Coach Norv Turner the most proud.

“I thought this was a character win and I think the character of our football team is our strength,” Turner said.  “I think last night, if it showed anything, (it showed) that we are getting better and we have a resilient group.  They’re going to keep playing to that last snap or they’re going to keep competing each week regardless of the results.” 

Turner saw that character manifest itself in the way his team battled to the end, and he pointed out Monday that his team had a chance to win it late not only because of the big plays his team made but also because of several efforts that went a little under the radar.

One of those plays came from fullback Jacob Hester, who delivered a game-saving tackle following a fourth-quarter interception.  Hester ran down Giants cornerback Terrell Thomas and dropped him at the four-yard line.  Thomas was denied a touchdown which would have made it a 10-point game.  Three plays later, the Giants kicked a field goal to take a six-point lead and leave the window open for the Chargers’ comeback.

“Hester made a hell of a play,” Turner said.  “We had some other guys who had a chance to get him down and didn’t.  It was a big play to get him down on the four.”

The late field goal attempt came thanks to a goal-line stand by the Chargers, one that was aided by a holding call on the play that immediately followed the interception.  On first down, defensive tackle Ian Scott knifed into the backfield and gave chase to Brandon Jacobs.  Rather than giving Scott a free run at his back, guard Chris Snee tackled Scott and drew a flag that pushed the Giants back 10 yards.

“Sometimes you get holding calls because there is holding and sometimes you create (the holding),” Turner said.  “I thought our play created the holding call that put them back and that was a big play.” 

Heading into the contest, Turner believed the kicking game would be crucial to his team’s success.  The Giants punted five times and Darren Sproles had zero return yards.  New York also kicked away from him on kickoffs, but their refusal to give Sproles a chance still proved impactful. 

“The field position was a big part of the game,” Turner said.  “The fact that they didn’t want to punt the ball to Darren was significant because they punted the ball out of bounds at the 50 about three times which certainly helps you a great deal.” 

The Chargers only had to cover 45 and 51 yard, respectively, on their first two touchdown drives.

Quarterback Philip Rivers and wide receiver Vincent Jackson received most of the praise following the 80-yard, game-winning drive, but Rivers was adamant after the game that their heroics would never have happened were it not for the bang-up job of the offensive line.

“They were awesome,” Rivers said.  “(The Giants) brought pressure, but I didn’t have anyone around me that whole drive.”

Over the past few years, New York’s trademark defensively has been their ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks, and Marcus McNeill, Kris Dielman, Scott Mruczkowski, Louis Vasquez and Jeromey Clary stood tall against the Giants’ front when it counted most. 

“I knew that there were times with their blitz scheme that you’re going to be in situations where if you come away without a sack or a turnover it’s a positive,” Turner said.  When we had opportunities we made the most of them.  The final drive, that’s the best protection we had throughout the entire game.”

Thanks to the Chargers’ perfect 3-for-3 showing in the red zone, kicker Nate Kaeding wasn’t needed as much as he has been early in the year, but he did provide the game-winning point on his 244th-consecutive PAT. Kaeding’s short kick was another one of many little plays that proved so vital.

“It was as big of a team win as you could have,” Rivers said.  “It took all 45 guys to get it done.”