The Sports Xchange
Oct 4, 2015
SAN DIEGO -- Rookie Josh Lambo's 34-yard field goal with no time remaining lifted the San Diego Chargers past the Cleveland Browns 30-27 on Sunday.
Lambo was wide right from 39 yards with two second left, but defensive back Tramon Williams was called offside, giving Lambo another chance.
The Browns pulled to within 27-25 on tight end Gary Barnidge's 1-yard scoring catch with two minutes to play. Wide receiver Taylor Gabriel caught Josh McCown's pass for a 2-point conversion to tie the game, 27-27.
Philip Rivers threw this third touchdown pass, a 1-yarder to tight end John Phillips, with 7:26 remaining. That gave the Chargers an eight-point lead, their biggest of the afternoon.
Phillip's score was set up by a 68-yard reception from wide receiver Dontrelle Inman.
Rivers completed 23 of 38 for three touchdowns and 358 yards.
McCown was 32 of 41 for two touchdowns and 356 yards
Travis Coons booted his fourth field goal, this one from 40 yards, to slice the Browns' deficit to 20-19 with 10 minutes to play.
The Chargers seized a 20-16 third-quarter edge when tight end Ladarius Green used his height advantage to reach over strong safety Donte Whitner for a 19-yard touchdown catch. Rivers placed the ball perfectly for Green, who is filling in for the suspended Antonio Gates.
Coons converted a 33-yard field goal with six minutes remaining in the third quarter. Coons' kick gave the Browns 16-13 advantage, with the big play of the possession being a 53-yard reception by running back Isaish Crowell.
The Browns ran a nifty two-minute offense toward the end of the half, with the result being Coons' 28-yard field goal, tying the game at 13-13.
Lambo's 46-yard field goal with 10 minutes left in the half tied the score, 10-10. The drive featured 30 yards rushing on two carries by running back Melvin Gordon.
McCown found a great match up early in the second quarter, spotting linebacker Donald Butler on running back Duke Johnson Jr. Johnson got at least a step on Butler and McCown hit Johnson with a perfect, arching pass in the back of the end zone. Johnson just did get two feet in and it was good for a 10-7 Browns cushion.
The Chargers took a 7-3 lead late in the first quarter when Rivers clicked with wide receiver Keenan Allen on a 28-yard scoring strike. Allen, in single coverage with cornerback Pierre Desire, made a diving catch near the goal line for the score. It was Allen's team-high third touchdown reception to cap the 80-yard drive.
The Browns struck first when Coons kicked a 36-yard field goal with 4:12 left in the first quarter.
NOTES: Injuries forced the Chargers' offensive line to be without three starters: LT King Dunlap (concussion), LG Orlando Franklin (ankle) and C Chris Watt. ... WR Malcom Floyd (concussion) left in the first quarter and didn't return. ... WR/KR Jacoby Jones (ankle) missed his third straight game. ... CB Brandon Flowers (concussion) didn't play the fourth quarter ... Browns CB Joe Haden (ribs) was idle. ... WR Brian Hardline (rib) left if the first quarter and didn't return. ... QB Johnny Manziel was a 28th round pick of the San Diego Padres.