Recap: San Diego vs. Atlanta
Sports Network | November 30, 2008
San Diego, CA (Sports Network) - Matt Ryan tossed a pair of touchdown passes and Michael Turner ran for 120 yards against his old team as the surprise Atlanta Falcons gutted out a 22-16 victory over the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium.
Ryan was an efficient 17-of-23 passing for 207 yards and Turner was the workhorse with 31 carries as Atlanta (8-4) won for the fourth time in five games to keep pace in a stacked NFC South. Carolina and Tampa Bay both logged victories earlier Sunday to move to 9-3.
Turner spent his first four NFL seasons in the enormous shadow of LaDainian Tomlinson before leaving San Diego via free agency after the 2007 campaign. The powerful 26-year-old signed with the Falcons in March for a long-awaited opportunity to be a feature back, and has proven he can handle the important role.
Philip Rivers was a pedestrian 17-of-30 passing for 149 yards while Tomlinson continued his season-long struggles, but achieved some long-term success. He gained just 24 yards on 14 carries with a TD -- the 136th of his career -- tying him with Marshall Faulk for fifth on the all-time scoring list. Tomlinson also had five receptions for 42 yards, including the 500th of his career.
San Diego (4-8) enters the season's stretch run with its string of two consecutive AFC West championships in serious jeopardy after suffering its fifth loss in the last six games.
