The Los Angeles Chargers weren't seeking style points on Sunday.
In a game that included a combined 14 punts and 21 penalties, running back Melvin Gordon rose above the ugliness with 163 total yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns in a 27-22 victory over the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium — the Bolts' first win of the season.
The game's turning point occurred with four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter when defensive end Melvin Ingram sacked Giants quarterback Eli Manning, who fumbled. Ingram recovered the football at the Giants' 11-yard line and three plays later, quarterback Philip Rivers found Gordon for a ten-yard touchdown reception, which ended up being the game-winning score.
It was a game plagued with penalties, unforced errors and missed connections. On a third-and-seven in the first quarter, miscommunication lead to a botched snap by center Spencer Pulley that Rivers batted out of the end zone for a safety to make it 2-0 Giants. Chargers opponents have now scored first in every game this season.
Later in the first quarter, Orleans Darkwa dashed 23 yards for a touchdown — the first rushing score from a Giants running back this season. New York led 9-0 after the opening quarter.
The Chargers answered with a six-yard touchdown reception from Rivers to running back Gordon that cut the lead to 9-7 after the newly acquired Nick Novak connected on the extra point. Novak added a 20-yard field goal to give Los Angeles the lead at halftime.
Los Angeles forced a three-and-out to open the second half, and the offense immediately drove down to the Giants' 14-yard line in four plays. After a false start penalty, Rivers was then intercepted in the end zone by safety Darian Thompson.
With Giants wide receivers Sterling Shepard and Brandon Marshall out of the game with injuries, Eli Manning found Roger Lewis on New York's next possession for a 29-yard touchdown catch to regain the lead.
Rivers responded on the next Chargers' possession by connecting with tight end Hunter Henry for a 25-yard touchdown. Los Angeles took a 17-16 lead into the fourth quarter after the 12-play, 90-yard drive.
The back-and-forth continued as Manning hooked up with Odell Beckham Jr. for a 48-yard touchdown strike on the third play of the fourth quarter. The failed two-point conversion put New York up 22-17 before the Chargers scored the last ten points of the game.
Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa registered two sacks, both in the first quarter. Bosa now has 4.5 sacks on the season. Ingram also notched two sacks. Tre Boston intercepted Manning late in the fourth quarter to seal the victory.
Rivers finished 21-of-44 for 258 yards, three touchdowns and an interception.
NEXT UP
The Chargers play their second consecutive road game next Sunday, Oct. 15th against the Oakland Raiders. Kickoff is at 1:25 p.m. Pacific Time on CBS.
Take a look through game action photos as the Bolts battle the New York Giants on the road for Week 5.
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers throws a pass against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon runs with the ball against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, right, hands off to running back Melvin Gordon during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Charmeachealle Moore (50) and strong safety Jahleel Addae (37) hit New York Giants tight end Rhett Ellison (85) as he is unable to catch a pass from quarterback Eli Manning during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) huddles with teammates against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants running back Orleans Darkwa (26) is tackled by Los Angeles Chargers strong safety Jahleel Addae (37) and free safety Tre Boston (33) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon, top, tries to avoid a tackle-attempt by New York Giants defensive back Ross Cockrell during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon (28) runs with the ball against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon (28) runs in a receiving touchdown on a pass form quarterback Philip Rivers, not pictured, as New York Giants middle linebacker B.J. Goodson (93) tries to defend during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon (28) runs in a receiving touchdown on a pass form quarterback Philip Rivers, not pictured, as New York Giants middle linebacker B.J. Goodson (93) tries to defend during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants running back Wayne Gallman (22) is tackled by Los Angeles Chargers strong safety Adrian Phillips (31), nose tackle Damion Square (71) and free safety Tre Boston (33) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Casey Hayward reacts after New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, not pictured, threw an incomplete pass during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon (28) stiff-arms New York Giants cornerback Janoris Jenkins (20) to the ground while running with the ball during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon runs with the ball against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) throws a pass as New York Giants defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (94) applies pressure during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
The Los Angeles Chargers offense lines up against the New York Giants for a field goal during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Los Angeles Chargers kicker Nick Novak, right, with Drew Kaser holding, kicks a field goal against the New York Giants during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Hunter Henry (86) prepares to make a touchdown catch on a pass from quarterback Philip Rivers, not pictured, as New York Giants strong safety Landon Collins (21) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Travis Benjamin runs with the ball against the New York Giants during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) runs with the ball against the New York Giants during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
The Los Angeles Chargers offense lines up against the New York Giants defense during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Travis Benjamin (12) runs with the ball against the New York Giants during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) looks to pass against the New York Giants during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Los Angeles Chargers players celebrate a sack by defensive end Darius Philon (93) during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Melvin Ingram (54) grabs at New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. Ingram forced a fumble and recovered it on the play. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) fumbles the ball on a hit by Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Melvin Ingram (54) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Chargers won 27-22. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) looks at the ball after fumbling it on a hit by Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Melvin Ingram (54) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Los Angeles Chargers players celebrate a fumble recovery by outside linebacker Melvin Ingram (54) during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Melvin Ingram, left, celebrates after forcing and recovering a fumble by New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon rushes in a touchdown against the New York Giants during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Los Angeles Chargers free safety Tre Boston, left, makes an interception on pass from New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, not pictured, intended for tight end Evan Engram during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Los Angeles Chargers free safety Tre Boston (33) celebrates after intercepting a pass from New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Los Angeles Chargers free safety Tre Boston (33) celebrates an interception on a pass from New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers, left, and New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning converse after an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Chargers won 27-22. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
