Chargers Lose Out On Playoffs: L 19-7
- Updated: December 28, 2014
(AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
It is a sad day for San Diego Chargers fans. They lost their playoff hopes as they failed to beat the Kansas City Chiefs 19-7.
The Chargers struggled to line themselves up fully for playoff contention. And today said it all, although the teams injuries could be to blame somewhat.
Nick Novak missed a crucial 52-yard field goal attempt late in the third quarter and halfway through the fourth quarter, a touchdown pass to Eddie Royal was overturned by a video review when the ball appeared to skip off the turf – San Diego went for it on fourth down and Philip Rivers pass was incomplete. The icing on the cake came with 4 minutes left when Donald Brown was “stuffed” on fourth-and-1 at the Chiefs 20 yard line.
Philip Rivers was intercepted again in the closing seconds of the game.
NFL.com reports this after interviewing the teams after the game:
“Very disappointed the way we played,” Chargers coach Mike McCoy said. “Got off to a poor start, put ourselves in a number of holes. Too many penalties, not converting on third down.
“That was nowhere close to where we needed it to be.”
Rivers finished with 291 yards passing to go over 4,000 in a season for the sixth time, though he also threw two interceptions. Branden Oliver ran for 71 yards and a touchdown.
“They were better than us,” offensive lineman Chad Rinehart said, “and obviously it showed.”
The Kansas City Chiefs were focused on the playoff possibility but they weren’t thinking about the other stipulations that needed to happen in order for them to be in contention.
NFl.com reports:
“Nobody knew. Nobody wanted to know,” said the Chiefs‘ Chase Daniel, who started in place of injured quarterback Alex Smith. “We were focused on the game at hand, the task at hand.”
By the time the Chiefs got to their locker room, though, they knew: The Ravens and Texans both rallied in the second half for victories, giving Baltimore for the final AFC wild-card spot.
“We end up missing the playoffs,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said, “so while it’s fresh in the players’ minds, it’s important that they feel how important every game is in this league. There’s so much parity in the league and these games are so close.”
Justin Houston had four sacks for the Chiefs (9-7) to break Derrick Thomas’ franchise record with 22 in the season. Cairo Santos kicked four field goals, and Daniel played serviceably in just his second NFL start, throwing for 157 yards without an interception.”
It’s been a good run from the Chargers and it has been a fun season to watch. You can read all of the San Diego Chargers recaps here.
Stay with us at Calisportsnews.com as we will keep you up-to-date on all things San Diego Chargers and the rest of the LA sports teams! All Cali, all the time!
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