THE LA CHARGERS held on for a nervy 20-19 triumph against the Tennessee Titans at Wembley to continue their winning streak in the NFL.
A fourth consecutive victory lifted the in-form Chargers level with the Kansas City Chiefs at the top of the AFC West, though quarterback Marcus Mariota almost won the game for Tennessee in a dramatic conclusion.
After a Ryan Succop field goal, the Chargers – without running back Melvin Gordon due to a hamstring injury – made a spectacular start with a touchdown on their first play, Tyrell Williams running away from Logan Ryan for a spectacular 75-yard score.
The Titans stayed in touch with a second field goal but missed the opportunity to take a half-time lead when Denzel Perryman intercepted a Mariota pass in the red zone.
Quarterback Philip Rivers again picked out a free receiver at the start of the second half for the Chargers, Mike Williams scoring this time, but the Titans remained in the contest.
A seven-play, 42-yard drive was punched in by Derrick Henry from one yard out for Tennessee’s first touchdown, while the Chargers were forced to settle for a field-goal early in the fourth quarter to leave the score at 20-13.
After seeing a touchdown run overturned on review, Mariota picked out tight end Luke Stocker to close the deficit to one point with just 31 seconds remaining.
However, rather than settle for overtime by kicking the extra point, the Titans went for the win. After a penalty negated the first failed attempt, Mariota saw his pass to the end zone tipped away as the Chargers held on.
Elsewhere in Sunday’s early games, Tom Brady threw for three touchdowns as the New England Patriots defeated the Chicago Bears 38-31. The Bears lost in heartbreaking fashion, as Kevin White was stopped at the one after a 54-yard pass from Mitchell Trubisky.
WOW.
— Jackson Frank (@jackfrank_jjf) October 21, 2018
The Bears just completed a Hail Mary as time expired but fell a yard short. pic.twitter.com/7VPZAIQrPn
The Cleveland Browns went to overtime for the fourth time this season but lost to a 58-yard field goal by Tampa Bay’s kicker Chandler Catanzaro.
They were 23-9 behind heading into the fourth quarter but Baker Mayfield threw two touchdown passes for force overtime. The Buccaneers prevailed 26-23.
Andrew Luck threw four touchdown passes as the Indianapolis Colts blitzed the Buffalo Bills 37-5. Kirk Cousins threw two TDs and Latavius Murray ran in two during Minnesota’s 37-17 win against. the New York Jets.
The Houston Texans defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 20-7, the Carolina Panthers enjoyed a 21-17 win over Super Bowl champions the Philadelphia Eagles and the Detroit Lions beat the Miami Dolphins by 32-21.
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Fairly ballsy call to go for it, pity it backfired.
Daft decision at the end.