After losing nine games in a row dating back to last season, the Los Angeles Chargers finally earned a victory, defeating the New York Giants 27-22.
After a scoreless first quarter, one in which the Chargers surrendered a safety and touchdown to the home team, the Chargers finally got on the board in the form of a 6-yard pass from Philip Rivers to running back Melvin Gordon. After a successful Nick Novak extra point (who returned to the Chargers earlier this week after being cut by L.A in September 2015), the Chargers were within two points.

     The rest of the quarter was hard to watch. New York had two three-and-outs and the Chargers had three of their own. Both teams took turns getting absolutely nowhere on the field. That is, until the last few minutes of the half.

     In a drive that lasted just over two minutes, the Chargers drove the ball 49 yards, needing 12 plays to do so. Novak kicked a 20-yard field goal to put L.A up 10-9 at the half.

     The second half was much different for the very stagnant first half offenses from both teams. After a Giants’ three-and-out and a Philip Rivers interception, points started going on the board. A nine play, 80-yard drive from Eli Manning and the Giants was capped off with a 29-yard touchdown strike to wideout Roger Lewis Jr.

     Now trailing 16-10, the Chargers looked to pull ahead. After two consecutive Melvin Gordon runs that combined for 35 yards, a penalty brought the Chargers back to their own 9-yard line. Two incompletions and a 12-yard dart to tight end Antonio Gates marched the Chargers to their own 21. Passes to wideout Keenan Allen and Gordon for 16 and 22 yards respectively helped bring L.A to the New York 47.

      After another strike to Allen, this time for 18 yards, Rivers was ready to put up some more points. The very next play, Rivers found second-year tight end Hunter Henry in the back of the endzone for a 25-yard score. The Chargers were up a point, 17-16. The drive took 12 plays as the Chargers marched 92 yards into the end zone.

      Manning was prepared to take the lead right back and did so just five plays later, finding Odell Beckham for the 48-yard connection. After a failed two-point conversion, the Giants lead 22-17; their last lead of the game.

     After a Chargers’ field goal, they trailed by just two. On the ensuing Giants drive, the Chargers’ defense got to Manning, who fumbled. Defensive end Melvin Ingram scooped up the football, and the Chargers were in good shape. With possession of the football and less than three minutes to play, Rivers hit Gordon once more in the end zone, putting the Chargers up 27-22.

      With one last drive to try and win the game, Manning was picked off by L.A’s Tre Boston, sealing the deal for the previously winless Chargers.

      Now, the Chargers are 1-4 and the Giants are 0-5. Both teams had high hopes going into the season, and, barring any type of miracle, will now miss the playoffs.  During the close loss to the

     Chargers, the Giants lost four (yes, four) wide receivers due to injury. Beckham and Brandon Marshall both suffered season-ending ankle injuries. Dwayne Harris is also out for the season with a broken foot. Sterling Shepard sprained his ankle, avoiding a season-ending injury, but he will still miss some time. High hopes surrounded the Giants’ receiving core this season, but things have gone far worse than anyone had ever imagined.

     Both teams play in tough divisions and will most likely finish in last place. This is all too familiar for the Chargers, who have been in the basement of the AFC South for the past three years. However, the Giants were a playoff team just a season ago. Now, they face uncertainty not just on the field, but on the coaching staff and front office too.

     Despite not having a win yet, the Giants get to play on Sunday Night Football this week against a hot Broncos team that had a bye last week.