Chargers fall to Falcons

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Sunday, Nov 30, 2008
By Casey Pearce, Chargers.com

Like so many Chargers’ contests this season, Sunday’s Chargers-Falcons game came down to the final minutes and saw San Diego come up short.

The Chargers had an opportunity to mount a late comeback, but when Atlanta forced the Bolts to punt with 1:58 remaining in the fourth quarter, it gave former Charger Michael Turner a chance to run out the clock and preserve a 22-16 Falcons victory.

“That performance wasn’t the San Diego Chargers,” tight end Antonio Gates said. “We struggled offensively. Penalties killed us. When we get the ball in situations like we did today, we’ve got to make plays and get in the end zone. We didn’t do that today.”

The Bolts tied a season high with three takeaways Sunday, but they also gained a season-low 201 yards of total offense and were unable to capitalize on several chances to seize control.

“We just never got going very good,” quarterback Philip Rivers said. “We were backed up a couple of times and that certainly hurt us. That was a good team over there, but we hurt ourselves in penalties and had some misses as in any game. Unfortunately too many and that hurt us.”

After Atlanta kicked a field goal on their opening drive of the game, the Chargers used their first big break of the day to take their only lead of the contest. Late in the first quarter, the Bolts were forced to punt, but Falcons returner Harry Douglas was unable to handle Mike Scifres’ kick. Anthony Waters recovered, and four plays later LaDainian Tomlinson scored on a three-yard run to put the Chargers up 7-3.

The Falcons responded with another long drive but were forced to settle for another Jason Elam kick thanks to a defensive stand by the Bolts. However, the Chargers stalled and Douglas redeemed himself with a 32-yard punt return. That set up an 18-yard touchdown catch by former Bolt Justin Peelle that extended Atlanta’s lead to 13-7.

On the ensuing kickoff, the Chargers tried a reverse when Darren Sproles handed off to Legedu Naanee, but Naanee was dropped back at the Bolts’ eight-yard line. Following a false start penalty, the Chargers were operating from their own end zone, and an intentional grounding penalty in the end zone resulted in a safety and a 15-7 Falcons lead.

Atlanta had a chance to put down the hammer late in the second quarter, but a timely stand by the Chargers’ defense denied the Falcons of a golden opportunity. It began with Shaun Phillips running down Turner at the two-yard line after a 10-yard scamper and ended with the Bolts stuffing Atlanta runs on four-consecutive tries from inside the San Diego two-yard line.

“We’ve played well at the goal line all season,” linebacker Stephen Cooper said. “I think that’s the third time this season a team has gone for it 4^th-and-1 (at the goal line) and we’ve stopped them. Guys dug in and didn’t give any ground. At the time it was huge.”

The Chargers got another break on Atlanta’s opening drive of the third quarter when Quentin Jammer forced Falcons wide receiver Brian Finneran to fumble following a seven-yard catch. Eric Weddle scooped up the loose ball and raced 82 yards for a score, the longest fumble return in team history. The Chargers went for two following Weddle’s touchdown but Rivers’ toss to Malcom Floyd was broken up, leaving the Bolts down 15-13 early in the third quarter.

“Guys played their hearts out and we made a few big ones today,” safety Clinton Hart said. “That was a big one that put us right there.”

On the first play of the fourth quarter, Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan found Douglas in the end zone for a five-yard score that capped a 72-yard drive and put Atlanta up 22-13, However the Chargers had some fight left.

When their ensuing drive apparently stalled near midfield, Jacob Hester gained 28 yards on a fake punt to give the San Diego new life. However, it was all for naught when Nate Kaeding’s 43-yard field goal attempt was blocked.

Jammer once again kept the Chargers alive when he forced Turner to fumble on the Falcons’ ensuing drive, giving the Bolts possession near midfield. Kaeding connected on his second try of the day to pull the Chargers within one score at 22-16.

The Bolts’ defense delivered another clutch stand on Atlanta’s ensuing possession as they stuffed Turner on 3^rd-and-1 to force a three-and-out.

Unfortunately, the Chargers were unable to capitalize and were forced to punt the ball out of their own end zone with 2:06 remaining in the game.

This time, Turner churned out the necessary yards to give the Falcons a late first down and preserve a 22-16 victory that dropped the Chargers to 4-8 on the season.

“We just didn’t make enough plays today to win,” Gates said. “You have to play a complete game if you want to win in this league and we didn’t do that today.”

Sunday marked just the second time this season that Rivers was held without a touchdown pass as he finished the day 17-of-30 passing for 149 yards. On a day in which Atlanta controlled the clock for nearly 10 minutes more than the Chargers, Tomlinson was limited to just 14 carries and gained 24 yards. LT did contribute five receptions for 59 yards. The Chargers were also hampered by nine penalties that set them back 84 yards.

“We struggled early to run the football,” Chargers Head Coach Norv Turner said. “Obviously if you have false starts on first downs, those things don’t give you chances to get into any kind of rhythm. Obviously today we had a tough time playing with any kind of consistency.”

Rivers’ counterpart Ryan continued his brilliant rookie season with a 207-yard, two-touchdown performance. Ryan was aided by a strong performance by Turner in his return to Qualcomm Stadium. “The Burner” churned out 120 yards on 31 carries.

The Chargers will have just four days to recover from another tough loss as they’ll host the Oakland Raiders Thursday night on the NFL Network.

“It gives us less time to think about this one,” defensive end Luis Castillo said. “We have to move on. We have four games left. We’re not done. We have too much pride and you’ve seen it the whole stretch. Guys have not quit. Guys are playing hard and giving absolutely everything they have. Hopefully we can make the effort count Thursday night.”

Denis Poroy, FR59680 AP

Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner, left, talks with running back LaDainian Tomlinson, right, after an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 30, 2008, in San Diego.

	Game Highlights: Falcons 22, Chargers 16 The Chargers were unable to take down the Atlanta Falcons and lose a tough one at home, 22-16. Play
	Gameday: Norv Turner Norv Turner press conference at the conclusion of Sundays loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Play
	Gameday: Philip Rivers Quarterback Philip Rivers press conference after Sunday's loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Play
	Gameday: LaDainian Tomlinson Running Back LaDainian Tomlinson press conference. Play
	Gameday: Chris Chambers Wide Receivers Chris Chambers post game locker room. Play
	Gameday: Jeromey Clary Tackle Jeromey Clary post game locker room. Play
	Gameday: Stephen Cooper Linebacker Stephen Cooper post game locker room. Play
	Gameday: Shaun Phillips Linebacker Shaun Phillips post game locker room. Play

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