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By Leon Thompson
December 24, 2014 (San Diego)--The San Diego Chargers’ scored a come-from-behind dramatic win over the vaunted San Francisco 49ers in the stadium Levi Straus built in Santa Clara on Saturday night. Charger quarterback Phillip Rivers was able to mount a legendary comeback for the Charger history books, and garnered much respect from fans and peers.
Few teams in history have come back from a 28 to 7 deficit at the end of the first half. Prospects were bleak as the Chargers lost the coin-flip to begin the second half with an obviously injured Phillip Rivers in command. Rivers led his troops with grit and determination, amassed 356 yards total and three touchdowns in the second half, even though it was reported by ESPN that Rivers may be dealing with a bulging disk in his back.
Linebacker Manti Teo posted to Chargers.com, “He’s the best, he’s one of the best to play the game and we’re so grateful and thankful that we have him on our team to lead us and to do the things he does.”
As a result the Chargers are very much alive in the playoff sweepstakes and well positioned for their last game of the regular season against rival Kansas City Chiefs next Sunday.
In the first half though it looked as if the League Champion San Francisco 49ers would have their way with the Chargers. It didn’t help that Rivers threw two interceptions and one was returned for a touchdown.
The Charger defense forgot to show up for the first half of the game as it allowed 255 yards rushing. When they showed up to play they held the 49ers to just one touchdown in the second half.
Halfway into the third quarter the Chargers came alive. The offense rallied around Rivers after the crippled quarterback connected with good friend Antonio Gates.
On the very next possession the Chargers got a gift when defensive end Corey Liuget recovered a fumble in the end-zone for a touchdown that was forced by defensive ends Dwight Freeney and Ricardo Mathews.
And just like that, the momentum switched and it was the Chargers in charge. The Stadium that Levi built was mostly silent as Rivers and pals fought the niners to a tie.
San Francisco got the ball first in overtime, but safety Eric Weddle forced a fumble on its second play, and it was recovered by Chargers defensive lineman Sean Lissemore.
Rivers and running back Ronnie Brown then got kicker Nick Novak in range for a game-winning 40-yard field goal.
All around San Diego - Christmas Parties were interrupted by the strange sound of cheering all through the neighborhoods as the unlikely victory rang out.
This could be the most legendary comeback in Chargers history – a Christmas gift from the Chargers.
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