Chargers Defeat Colts 23-17 in Dramatic Fashion

San Diego's Winning Streak Continues as They Knock Off Indianapolis and Peyton Manning in Overtime

The San Diego Chargers were counted out as dead just a few weeks ago. Now, the team is just two wins away from a trip the Super Bowl. The Chargers, who entered tonight's contest with the Indianapolis Colts with just an 8-8 record, will play the Tennessee Titans or Pittsburgh Steelers next weekend after winning on the last second tonight against the Colts.

Darren Sproles, subbing for Tomlinson who left with a lingering injury, was a man among boys going for a near playoff record total of total yards and non may have may been more important than a dazzling 3rd and 11 to start the overtime period that started deep in their territory and got the drive started for the Chargers. Sproles picked up more than 300 total yards in the game. Local hero Antiono Gates, who led Kent State University to the Elite 8 in the NCAA Tournament earlier this decade, also picked up a key first down on the winning drive as he bullied his way across the chains with Colts players all over him. A holding call then gave San Diego another first down on a third down and the Colts would unravel with a critical face mask pentalty that set up a Sproles 22 yard touchdown run two plays later that would end it at 23-17.

The Chargers will be there because of the gutsy play of LaDanian Tomlinson (limited in duty because of injury), Sproles, and a defense that was able to stop the potent offense led by Peyton Manning. Tomlinson, playing with a grueling injury, managed to hit paydirt in spite of being hobbled and the defense was able to stop Manning late deep in their own territory which gave the offense a chance to convert. After the big stop Phillip Rivers was able to lead his team down the field for the tying score with kicker Nate Kaeding able to convert a short field goal to tie the game to bring it into overtime

Before the tying score, the game had been nip and tuck throughout the game with both teams exchanging the lead but for a moment it looked like it would the Colts holding off the Chargers for a victory on the road. The resolve of the Chargers, however, thwarted any chance of a Colts victory.

1st Quarter
Colts TD Joseph Addai, 1 yd run (Adam Vinatieri kick is good), 03:02. Drive: 9 plays, 81 yards in 5:02
2nd Quarter
Chargers TD LaDainian Tomlinson, 3 yd run (Nate Kaeding kick is good), 10:18. Drive: 4 plays, 44 yards in 2:18
Colts FG Adam Vinatieri, 43 yd field goal , 06:51. Drive: 8 plays, 42 yards in 3:29
Chargers TD Darren Sproles, 9 yd run (Nate Kaeding kick is good), 00:47. Drive: 6 plays, 45 yards in 2:19
3rd Quarter
Colts TD Reggie Wayne, 72 yd pass from Peyton Manning (Adam Vinatieri kick is good), 08:16. Drive: 5 plays, 91 yards in 1:32
Chargers Nate Kaeding, 26 yd field goal , 00:33. Drive: 7 plays, 30 yards in 1:17
Chargers TD Darren Sproles, 22 yd run , 08:48. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards in 6:20


Source: clevelandleader.com