Dicker the Kicker Hits Game Winner for Chargers

Cameron Dicker “The Kicker” boots home the game winner for the Chargers! (Photo by Duane Barker)

By Tim Peterson

(Inglewood) – Cameron Dicker kicked a 42-yard field goal with four seconds left to lift the Chargers to a 17-14 win over Tennesse Sunday before 70, 240 fans at SoFi Stadium.

After the Titans tied the game at 14 the Chargers got the ball back with 48 seconds left at their own 23-yard line. Six plays later, including a big 30-yard pass play from Justin Herbert to Mike Williams, the Chargers were at the Titan 25. Dicker then calmly booted the game winner to give LA a key victory and keep them relevant in the AFC playoff picture.

Tennessee had tied it just 44 seconds before on a one-yard quarterback sneak by Ryan Tannehill.

The Chargers got on the board first marching 68 yards on 14 plays on their first series. Joshua Kelley capped it off with a one-yard run for 7-0 lead with 4:25 left in the first quarter.

Tannehill suffered an ankle injury on the Titans first series and had to leave the game. Malik Willis replaced him.

Tannehill returned however on the next possession and led the Titans on a 63-yard touchdown drive. Derrick Henry capped the six-play march with a four-yard run with 10:09 left in the second quarter.

Joshua Kelly got the Chargers on the board first on a short run. (Photo by Duane Barker)

The Chargers threatened late in the second quarter driving down into Tennessee territory but Joseph Kalu intercepted a pass in the endzone that was caught by Roger McCeary and tossed to Kalu before he landed out of bounds with just seven seconds left in the half.

The teams went into the break tied at seven.

The two quarterbacks exchanged interceptions the third quarter. First the Chargers’ Nasir Adderly picked off Tannehill but on the ensuing possession Kevin Byard intercepted Herbert.

The game was still tied at seven after three quarters.

The Chargers took the lead back with 10:28 left in the fourth quarter. A 31-yard pass from Herbert to Keenan Allen down to the Tennessee 15-yard line set up a three-yard touchdown run by Austin Ekeler to make it 14-7.

Austin Ekeler leaves Titan defenders in his wake on the way to the go ahead score for the Chargers. (Photo by Duane Barker)

Tennessee took over with with 2:54 left and took advantage driving 74 yards on 11 plays. Tannehill crossed the goal line on the sneak with 48 seconds left to tie it at 14.

The Chargers then went into their two- minute offense and worked it to perfection setting up Dicker “The Kicker” to win it.

For the Chargers Herbert completed 28 of 42 for 313 yards without a touchdown. He also threw two interceptions. Allen had eight receptions for 86 yards and Williams hauled in four for 67. Ekeler led the rushing attack with 56 yards on 12 carries.

For the Titans Tannehill was 15 of 22 for 165 yards, no touchdowns and an interception. Henry, as usual, was the focal point of the Tennessee offense. He ran for 104 yards and the TD on 21 carries and caught four passes for 59 yards.

The win was huge for the Chargers as they improved to 8-6 and moved to the sixth seed overall in the AFC playoff race.

The Titans fell to 7-7 but are still in first place in the AFC South.

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