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Bolts Rally Late for 25-24 Win Over Cardinals

Nov 27, 2022 at 01:44 PM

Eric Smith

Senior Writer

The Chargers are now 6-5 after a wild 25-24 win in Arizona.

Here is a quick game recap from Week 12.

First Quarter

The Chargers started on offense after Arizona won the coin toss and deferred. The Bolts moved near midfield but their opening drive was stopped after Justin Herbert was sacked on third-and-7. Arizona took over at its own 12 and advanced near midfield, but the Bolts defense forced a turnover on the opening possession. Derwin James, Jr., ripped the ball away from James Conner and Sebastian Joseph-Day recovered it.

wanted it, got it. #BoltUp | @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/vUNmIlCpAP
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) November 27, 2022

The Chargers took over at the Cardinals 47-yard line but couldn't take advantage of the turnover as Herbert was once again sacked on third down. The Cardinals then scored first as DeAndre Hopkins found the end zone on a 33-yard touchdown late in the first quarter. The Bolts then went three-and-out as Herbert was pressured and there incomplete on third-and-16. The Bolts trailed 7-0 at the end of the quarter.

Second Quarter

The Cardinals added to their lead with a 43-yard field goal early in the second quarter. Down 10-0, the Chargers showed signs of life and moved into Cardinals territory with as Joshua Palmer caught an 18-yard pass. Palmer fumbled but the ball was recovered by Michael Bandy to keep the drive alive. The Chargers took advantage of Bandy's hustle play as Herbert found Allen for a 2-yard score, the wide receiver's first touchdown of the season.

we rly missed this @Keenan13Allen | @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/ewpc5B0g3U
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) November 27, 2022

James and the Bolts then came up big again as they forced their second takeaway of the day. After Khalil Mack stuffed Kyler Murray on a third-and-1 run, the Cardinals went for it on fourth-and-1 from their own 34. James, matched up in single coverage against Hopkins, pulled off an acrobatic interception to give the Bolts the ball back.

DERWIN IS THAT GUY.@DerwinJames | @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/jzpBDFaYng
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) November 27, 2022

The Chargers took advantage of the takeaway with a touchdown, but it came at a cost. Herbert escaped pressure to find DeAndre Carter for a 33-yard score as the Bolts took a 14-10 lead with under five minutes to go in the second quarter. But right tackle Trey Pipkins III was injured on the play.

go ahead, deandre!! @DCarter_2 | @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/smJYH7WStV
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) November 27, 2022

The Cardinals responded by driving to Bolts territory where they faced third-and-6 at the 28 before calling a timeout. Murray was pressured but picked up the first down with his feet with 32 seconds left in the half. Murray later used his feet to get into the end zone, scoring on a 5-yard run with 12 seconds left. The Bolts trailed 17-14 at the half.

Third Quarter

The Cardinals took the ball after the break and quickly moved into Bolts territory. But the Chargers defense shored up when it mattered and forced a 49-yard field goal try that was wide left. Still down 17-14, the Bolts took advantage of the miss by getting points. Carter moved the chains with a big 13-yard gain that helped up a pair of third-down conversions by Palmer. But the Bolts drive stalled inside the 10-yard line as the Chargers settled for a 26-yard field goal from Cameron Dicker that tied the game at 17 with 4:28 left in the third quarter. Arizona faced third-and-1 at the Chargers 12 when the third quarter came to a close.