Los Angeles Chargers defensive back Adrian Phillips (31) holds up a sign after the Chargers defeated the Ravens 23-17 in their AFC Wild Card playoff game on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers greets fans after the Chargers defeated the Ravens 23-17 in their AFC Wild Card playoff game on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon (28) runs against the Baltimore Ravens in the second half of their AFC Wild Card playoff game on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews (89) attempts to jump over members of the Los Angeles Chargers’ defense in the second half of their AFC Wild Card playoff game on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon (28) runs against the Baltimore Ravens in the second half of their AFC Wild Card playoff game on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) passes against the Los Angeles Chargers in the second half of their AFC Wild Card playoff game on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) leads his team against the Baltimore Ravens in the second half of their AFC Wild Card playoff game on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams (81) brings in a 42-yard reception against Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith (22) in the second half of their AFC Wild Card playoff game on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker (9) celebrates a field goal against the Los Angeles Chargers in the second half of their AFC Wild Card playoff game on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo
Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Terrell Suggs (55) is introduced during the first half of an NFL Wild Card playoff game on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. Photo by David Tulis/UPI | License Photo
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) recovers his own fumble against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half of an NFL Wild Card playoff game on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. Photo by David Tulis/UPI | License Photo
Jan. 6 (UPI) — A late fumble by Baltimore rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson doomed the Ravens (10-7) as the Los Angeles Chargers picked up a 23-17 win in the wild-card round on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium.
Chargers kicker Michael Badgley booted five field goals in the contest, setting a franchise record for field goals made in a single playoff game.
Los Angeles built a 12-0 lead at halftime after four first-half field goals by Badgley. Baltimore kicker Justin Tucker connected on a 33-yard field goal in the third quarter to get the Ravens on the board.
Melvin Gordon‘s 1-yard touchdown run in the beginning of the fourth, followed by a successful two-point conversion, pushed the Chargers’ lead to 20-3.
Badgley’s 47-yard field goal at the 9:09 mark in the final quarter gave the Chargers a comfortable 23-3 lead.
Jackson led the Ravens’ comeback attempt with a 31-yard scoring strike to receiver Michael Crabtree, cutting the deficit to 23-10 with 6:33 remaining.
Crabtree brought down his second touchdown of the game after Jackson found him for a 7-yard score with 1:59 left in the fourth.
The Ravens stopped the Chargers on their ensuing possession and began a potential game-winning drive with 45 seconds on the clock.
Jackson guided Baltimore to their own 47-yard line after he completed a 13-yard pass to tight end Mark Andrews. With 28 seconds left, the rookie quarterback was strip-sacked by Chargers linebacker Uchenna Nwosu and the fumble was recovered by Melvin Ingram to clinch the victory.
Chargers veteran quarterback Philip Rivers completed 22-of-32 pass attempts for 160 yards. Gordon rushed 17 times for 40 yards and a score as Los Angeles compiled only 243 total yards of offense.
Jackson was 14-of-29 passing with 194 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. He added nine carries for a team-high 54 rushing yards. Running backs Gus Edwards and Kenneth Dixon combined for 36 yards on 14 carries.
Los Angeles (13-4) moves on to the AFC Divisional Round after the win and will face the second-seeded New England Patriots (11-5) on the road next Sunday. The Chargers haven’t won two playoff games in a single postseason since 2007.
Source: “Los Angeles” – Google News