The San Diego Chargers fell to 5-8 on the season after losing to the Carolina Panthers, 28-16. After the Bolts went three-and-out on their first series, Carolina made it 3-0 after Graham Gano made a 41-yard field goal. Things didn't get much better on San Diego's second drive as Philip Rivers was sacked and stripped. While Carolina recovered the fumble, they ended up punting on their ensuing possession. It was then 10-0 after Carolina capitalized on a short punt by the Chargers to go 35 yards in seven plays for a one-yard touchdown by Jonathan Stewart. The Bolts turned the ball over again right at the top of the second quarter as Rivers was picked off by cornerback Daryl Worley. Worley's 38-yard return set the Panthers up at the Carolina 42 and eight plays later, Cam Newton connected with Devin Funchess for a six-yard score and 17-0 lead. With just 5:28 left in the first half, the Panthers increased their lead 20-0 after a 44-yard field goal. It quickly became 23-0 after the Panthers capitalized off another San Diego turnover. The Bolts didn't go into halftime blanked though. Three plays after the team gained 46 yards on a free play, Rivers found Hunter Henry in the end zone to make it 23-7, Panthers.
The Panthers and Chargers traded field goals on their first possessions of the second half to make it 26-10, Carolina. With :30 seconds left in the third quarter, Rivers connected with Dontrelle Inman for a 19-yard score. A failed two-point conversion made it 26-16 heading into the final quarter of action. Rivers committed his fourth turnover of the day early in the fourth quarter as Shaq Thompson picked the quarterback off. Carolina then had an interception of their own after Trovon Reed picked Newton off. While Reed ran the ball back for a score, the call was reversed and the Bolts got the ball at their own three. Unfortunately for the Chargers, they couldn't capitalize on the turnover as Rivers was sacked for a safety. With just over five minutes left in the game, the Chargers went for it on fourth down from their own 21; however, Rivers' pass was picked off by Kurt Coleman essentially sealing the game for the home team.
IMPACT PLAYS
FIRST QUARTER
14:13 – The Bolts offense went three-and-out after Philip Rivers was sacked for a loss of six on third down.
12:59 – Cam Newton connected with Greg Olsen for a gain of 13.
10:24 – Graham Gano made it 3-0, Carolina, after a 41-yard field goal.
7:48 – Rivers dropped back, but was sacked and stripped by Kawann Short. The fumble was recovered by Paul Soliai.
7:38 – On the next play, Melvin Ingram took Ted Ginn Jr. down for a loss of three on an end-around play.
4:37 – Olsen gained 17 on second down to move into the red zone.
2:23 – Newton lunged towards the goal line for a touchdown, but was ruled short. Carolina challenged the call, but lost the challenge to bring up 3rd-and-1.
1:52 – Jonathan Stewart rushed off right guard for the one-yard score.
SECOND QUARTER
15:00 – On the first play of the second quarter, Rivers was picked off by Daryl Worley. Worley then returned the ball 38 yards to the San Diego 42.
11:17 – Newton found Devin Funchess in the end zone for a six-yard touchdown.
10:07 – Rivers was sacked for the second time on the day for a loss of five.
8:11 – Stewart took the handoff and rushed off left end for a gain of 20. San Diego challenged the call that the runner was not down by contact and lost the challenge. No body part of Stewart was ruled down.
6:43 – Newton was sacked by Joey Bosa for a loss of seven.
5:28 – Gano made it 20-0 after a 44-yard field goal.
4:42 – Rivers was sacked and fumbled the ball. The fumble was recovered by Wes Horton to set the Panthers up at the San Diego 28.
4:02 – It appeared that Jahleel Addae picked Newton off, however the play was reviewed and it was ruled an incomplete pass instead. Two plays later, Gano made it 23-0 off a 45-yard field goal.
3:44 – Kenneth Farrow rushed up the middle for a gain of 11.
2:00 – On a free play due to defensive offsides, Rivers lobbed a deep ball to Tyrell Williams for a gain of 46 to move to the Carolina 10.
1:08 – The Bolts scored their first points of the day with Rivers connecting with Hunter Henry for a nine-yard score.
THIRD QUARTER
14:56 – Newton and Olsen connected for 36 yards on the play.
13:09 – Needing one yard on third down and falling backwards, Newton connected with Olsen again for a gain of 21.
7:52 – Thomas Davis tipped a pass right into the hands of Antonio Gates who took the ball 27 yards to the Carolina 22.
4:30 – Josh Lambo made it 26-10 after a 32-yard field goal.
2:38 – Rivers connected with Dontrelle Inman for a gain of 20. Two plays later, Williams gained 22 on second down.
:30 – Rivers tossed a deep pass to Inman who made a grab at the pylon for the score. A failed two-point conversion made it 26-16.
FOURTH QUARTER
14:57 – Chris Landrum sacked Newton on third down for a loss of seven.
12:41 – Rivers committed his fourth turnover of the day after Shaq Thompson picked the QB off.
11:00 – Newton's pass intended for Kelvin Benjamin was picked off by Trovon Reed. Reed then returned the ball back 100 yards for a touchdown; however, the call was reversed and the Bolts got the ball at their own three.
10:16 – Rivers was sacked in the end zone for a safety.
8:49 – Stewart gained 12 yards on fourth down to move the chains for the Panthers.
4:55 – Rivers and Inman connected for a gain of 11.
4:03 – On 4th-and-10, Kurt Coleman picked Rivers off at the Carolina 27.
