National Football League

Chargers inexplicably veer away from Gordon in loss

Published Oct. 31, 2016 9:50 p.m. ET

foxsports

SAN DIEGO (AP) Melvin Gordon was having the game of his life, running for 111 yards on 23 carries, as the San Diego Chargers were trying to play catch-up against the Denver Broncos.

Center Matt Slauson said Gordon was decisive, confident and powerful.

And then it stopped.

Trailing 27-19, the Chargers had the ball first-and-goal from the Denver 2 with 2:54 left Sunday. Gordon's number wasn't called once. Philip Rivers threw four straight incompletions and Denver took over.

Although the Chargers (3-5) got the ball back with 2:08 to go, they didn't come close to scoring.

Coach Mike McCoy refused to second-guess offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt's play-calling.

Although guarded in their comments, some offensive linemen said they had the confidence Gordon could have gained those 2 yards.

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