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Patriots 23, Chargers 14
SAN DIEGO — The New England Patriots rebounded from a 14-3 deficit, scoring the game’s final 20 points in a 23-14 win over the San Diego Chargers on Sunday night.
The Patriots, who lost at Green Bay a week ago, bounced back from a regular-season loss with a victory for the 10th consecutive time. New England (10-3) snapped the Chargers’ three-game winning streak.
The Chargers (8-5) were shut out in the second half, and they fell two games behind the first-place Denver Broncos in the AFC West with three games remaining.
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady finished 28 of 44 for 317 yards with two touchdown passes and an interception.
Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers completed 20 of 33 passes for 189 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
New England, which won for the eighth time in nine games, pulled away to a 23-14 lead on wide receiver Julian Edelman’s 69-yard scoring catch with eight minutes left in the game. Edelman ran a slant route off play-action and then shook two tacklers for the game’s biggest play.
Edelman gained 141 yards on eight receptions. Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski also had eight catches and a touchdown, producing 87 receiving yards.
The victory pushed New England’s run to 12 seasons with at least 10 wins, the second-longest streak in NFL history. Brady ran his record against Rivers to 6-0.
The Patriots pushed ahead 16-14 on Stephen Gostkowski’s 38-yard field goal with 10 minutes remaining. It was Gostkowski’s third field goal, and it gave New England the lead for the first time since the first quarter.
A scoreless third quarter featured a Rivers interception and the Patriots failing to convert on four third-down plays.
Gronkowski’s 14-yard scoring connection with Brady pulled New England within 14-13 in the second quarter. The Patriots converted good field position from a blocked punt by cornerback Brandon Browner for the touchdown.
The Patriots cut the deficit to 14-6 on Gostkowski’s second of two 22-yard field goals midway through the second quarter.
Chargers safety Darrell Stuckey scored on a second-quarter fumble recovery, going 53 yards to put San Diego ahead 14-3. Safety Jahleel Addae forced the fumble after wide receiver Brandon LaFell’s reception.
The Chargers took a 7-3 lead early in the second quarter on Malcom Floyd’s diving catch, a 15-yard strike from Rivers. Floyd beat Browner in single coverage as he laid out to make the difficult reception, his fifth scoring catch of the season.
New England struck first on Gostkowski’s field goal late in the opening quarter after reaching the San Diego 1-yard line.
NOTES: Chargers NT Ryan Carrethers missed his third consecutive game with an elbow injury. … C Jeff Baca was signed from the Chargers’ practice squad. … It was the first Sunday night game in San Diego since 2011. … The Patriots activated DL Sealver Siliga from injured reserve/designated to return list. … New England spent the week practicing in San Diego in preparation for Sunday’s game.
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