Chargers rally to defeat Detroit 33-28 in season opener

QUALCOMM STADIUM (09/13/2015) The San Diego Chargers (1-0) opened the 2015 regular season with their largest comeback win at Qualcomm Stadium.

Trailing 21-3 midway through the second quarter, the Bolts put up 30 unanswered points, including a 13-yard go-ahead touchdown pass from Phillip Rivers to Ladarius Green with 11:49 left to play, sparking a 33-28 come-from-behind victory over the Detroit Lions (0-1).

It also tied Hall of Famer Dan Fouts' franchise record of 254 career touchdowns.

Rivers completed 35 of 42 passes for 404 yards and two touchdowns, but was picked off twice in the second half. The first pick bounced off Keenan Allen and was caught by Glover Quinn who returned it 31-yards for a touchdown, giving the Lions a 14-3 lead early in the second quarter.

Allen was the top target in the passing game with 166 yards and 15 catches that tied the franchise single-game record set by Hall of Fame tight end Kellen Winslow back in 1984. It was also the most catches by a player in a season opener since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger.

Stevie Johnson chipped in with six catches for 66 yards and a 12-yard touchdown catch in his Chargers debut.

Rookie running back Melvin Gordon finished his NFL debut with 15 carries for 51 yards. The Chargers 2015 first round pick appeared to find the end zone off a 21-yard run, but was ruled down by contact after his elbow touched the ground during a second effort attempt.

Danny Woodhead was the second leading rusher for the Bolts with 12 carries for 42 yards and two end zone trips. His 9-yard touchdown run late in the second quarter sparked the Chargers' 30-0 run as the Lions held on to a 21-10 halftime lead.

Rookie linebacker Kyle Emanuel recorded his first career sack and interception. The fifth round pick's diving interception was set up by Melvin Ingram's monster hit on Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Patrick Robinson's fourth quarter interception contributed to an outstanding showing from the Chargers secondary. Lions receiver Calvin Johnson was targeted four times but held to just two catches for 39 yards.

Next Sunday the Bolts travel to Cincinnati for a 10:00 a.m. kickoff against Bengals, who are coming off a 33-13 triumph over the Oakland Raiders.