SportsDirect Inc. staff
Sep 22, 2013
Titans 20, Chargers 17: Justin Hunter hauled in a 34-yard touchdown pass with 15 seconds left as host Tennessee stunned San Diego.
Facing a third-and-10, Jake Locker heaved a pass to Hunter in the end zone for his first career NFL reception to cap a 10-play, 94-yard drive. Locker went 23-for-37 for 299 yards while Nate Washington added eight catches for 131 yards to pace the Titans (2-1).
Philip Rivers completed 20-of-24 passes for 184 yards and a score for the Chargers (1-2), who converted just three of nine third-down opportunities. Antonio Gates led the way with five catches for 55 yards and a touchdown.
San Diego hit the scoresheet just over five minutes into the game as Rivers capped a short drive with a 7-yard scoring strike to Gates. The teams traded second-quarter field goals before the Titans drew even on Locker's 7-yard touchdown run with 1:08 remaining in the half.
The Chargers surged back in front late in the third quarter as Rivers' 34-yard strike to Ladarius Green set up Ronnie Brown's 1-yard touchdown plunge. Rob Bironas' 37-yard field goal with 6:07 left in the fourth made it 17-13, and the Titans were given an opening to win after the Chargers managed just 18 yards on seven plays on the ensuing drive.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Brown's third-quarter score was the Chargers' first rushing touchdown since Ryan Mathews had a 13-yard TD run in a 31-24 loss to New Orleans on Oct. 7, 2012. ... San Diego WR Eddie Royal, who scored five touchdowns in the first two games, had just two catches for 34 yards. ... RB Chris Johnson led all players with 90 rushing yards on 19 carries for Tennessee.