Chargers Overcome by Tebow and Co.

The Chargers entered week 12 desperately needing a win to keep their chances alive in the AFC West. Norv Turner coached an unbearably bad game and it didn’t happen.

Things started out well enough. The Chargers received the opening kickoff and began driving down the field. They stalled at the Denver 35, but Nick Novak hit a 53 yarder to give them a 3-0 lead.

Willis McGahee picked up 19 yards for the Broncos on their first drive, but they were stopped and punted to San Diego.

The Chargers did nothing.

On the next Bronco drive, McGahee continued rushing, and Tim Tebow got in on the act with 12 yards rushing. The drive stalled and the Broncos punted back to the Bolts.

The next drive would be the only touchdown drive of the day for San Diego. Ryan Mathews helped lead the charge, and the drive was capped by a six yard touchdown reception by Antonio Gates.

It was 10-0, and it looked like the Chargers had a solid lead. Each team punted twice, and with 1:27 left in the half, the Broncos took to the field. On the second play of their drive, Daniel Fells caught the ball but fumbled. Tommie Harris appeared to have picked up a key turnover, but because he did not simply fall on the ball, the Broncos got the ball back.

Tim Tebow would make the Chargers pay by throwing an 18 yard touchdown strike to Eric Decker. Although it was only one score for Denver, the turnover turned touchdown would hurt the Chargers in the final score.

The Chargers had 55 seconds left to do something, but Norv opted for two running plays. The clock ran out and the halftime score was 10-7.

The second half started with a three and out by the Broncos.

Vincent Brown had the highlight play of the next drive with a 30 yard reception. The Chargers made their way down to the Denver seven, and Novak hit his second field goal of the game.

After the teams had traded punts, Denver tacked on a field goal to bring the score to 13-10.

Tebow runs for it

The fourth quarter saw the game become the Tim Tebow show. He threw for 76 yards and ran for 15. The Chargers missed a field goal at the start of the fourth, and Denver hit one at the end.

The game was tied with 1:34 remaining. The Chargers went about the potential game winning drive with no visible sense of urgency. Infuriatingly, at the end, Norv had a chance to call a  Hail Mary play  to win the game but decided to let the clock run out. He would explain in post game comments that he did not feel the line would have protected Rivers well enough to get a throw off. If you are a head coach in the NFL with a chance to win, and you do that…..well you shouldn’t be a head coach in the NFL if you do that.

Overtime was disgusting and the Broncos won on their third, yes their third, possession.  Novak missed for the Chargers minutes earlier after mystifying play calling pushed them back several yards. Mike Tolbert ran the ball to the outside and was tackled for a loss of four. Novak missed the ensuing 53 yard field goal attempt.

The Broncos used a 24 yard run by McGahee to get well within field goal range, and Matt Prater hit the game winner.

I’m not going to beat a dead horse here. We all know that Norv has had more than his share of opportunities, and it is time for a change.  Make it happen Dean.

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