Gates' three TD catches lift Chargers past Seahawks

QUALCOMM STADIUM (09/12/2014) The "Legion of Boom" had no answers for tight end Antonio Gates, who caught seven passes for 96 yards and three touchdowns (tied career-high) to help the San Diego Chargers (1-1) come away with a 31-20 win over the Seattle Seahawks (1-1).

The Chargers are now 6-3 against defending Super Bowl champions since 2000.

Phillip Rivers completed 28 of 37 passes for 284 yards and three touchdowns to Gates. He showed no fear for Seahawks' star cornerback Richard Sherman, completing five passes in his direction for 60 yards.
 

After a 50-yard field goal by Nick Novak put the Chargers up 3-0 late in the first quarter, Seattle answered back on the ensuing drive with a 51-yard touchdown run by Percy Harvin. 

Despite the replay clearly showing Harvin's foot out of bounds before breaking away for the score, the play stood giving the Seahawks a 7-3 lead with 1:27 left in the first quarter.

Trailing 27-14, Russell Wilson found Marshawn Lynch wide open for a 14-yard touchdown to cut the lead to 27-21 going into the fourth quarter, 

Seattle had a chance to take the lead with three minutes left to play, but the Charger defense came up huge with much needed stops, forcing the Seahawks to turn the ball over on downs on its own 10-yard line.

That led to Nick Novak nailing a 28-yard field goal, putting a stamp on the Chargers' first win of the season.

Next Sunday, September 21st, the Bolts travel east for a 10:00 a.m. contest against the 2-0 Buffalo Bills.

Impact Chargers
 

 

TE Antonio Gates

7 catches for 96 yards & 3 TDs (tied career-high)
 

QB Phillip Rivers

28/37 for 284 yards & 3 TDs
 

Kicker Nick Novak

3/3 Field Goals (50, 43, 28)
 

Play of the Game
 

 

Antonio Gates hauls in a 21-yard one-handed touchdown grab between two Seattle defenders. The highlight-reel play gave the Bolts a 27-14 lead with three minutes left in the third quarter.