Unnecessary penalties, a pair of missed field goals and a lone turnover had the Chargers clawing their way back into Sunday’s contest against the Lions on the final drive.
Quarterback Philip Rivers had put the offense in scoring position after 12 plays, which started from Los Angeles’ own 20-yard line. The 13th play was one that the team and many fans wish they could have back.
With 1:10 left in the fourth quarter on 3rd-and-19 from Detroit’s 28-yard line, down three points, Rivers dropped back in the pocket, wound up his arm and chucked the ball into the left side of the end zone.
The lone wide receiver Keenan Allen was there along with two Lions defensive backs. The ball found it’s way into the arms of cornerback Darius Slay, which closed out the ball game.
Following the game, Rivers explained why he decided to throw up a prayer.
“Slay’s back was to me, so I thought maybe interference or incomplete and then let’s go kick. I certainly didn’t think interception, or I wouldn’t have thrown it. But good corners in this league, they find the ball,” Rivers said.
Rivers is notorious for throwing up hail mary passes like that when the team is down, but this is one that stung a little bit more than the others knowing they were in position to kick a field goal to tie up the game.
Aside from the one mistake, Rivers played a solid game by delivering some big throws to keep drives going. The veteran quarterback finished 21-of-36 passing for 293 yards and an interception thrown.
