Chandler brings the Falcons back!
Atlanta Falcon quarterback Chris Chandler proved Sunday that he could be a big-time quarterback. His Falcons were on the verge of an embarrassing loss to the one-win San Diego Chargers on Sunday at Qualcomm Stadium, but Chandler led a fierce 4th quarter comeback and the Falcons escaped with a 29-24 victory.
With 6:30 minutes to play in the game, the Charger faithful exploded and had some hope for a victory when backup QB Craig Whelihan hooked up with WR Tony Martin for a 33-yard touchdown to give the Chargers a 24-16 lead.
Chandler and the Falcons began to heat up in the very next drive. To cap the drive off, Chandler connected with RB Jamal Anderson on a six-yard scoring strike to cut the lead; however, the Falcons failed on the two-point conversion to tie the game, so they were behind 24-22.
The Falcon defense stepped up and shut down the Chargers offense forcing a punt. On the Falcons’ first play of the drive, Chandler hit WR Bert Emanuel down the field for a 38-yard gain setting the Falcons up at the Charger 29-yard line. On the next play, Chandler found WR Terrence Mathis down the right sideline for the 29-yard touchdown to take the lead, 29-24. Then to close the game out on the ensuing Charger drive, defensive back Michael Booker picked off a Whelihan pass to end the game.
Chandler finished 25 of 41 passing with 306 yards with three touchdowns. He did throw a pick to DB Paul Bradford, who returned it 91 yards for a touchdown. Emanuel caught eight passes for 113 yards. Mathis caught nine passes for 160 yards and two TDs.
The Falcons are now 6-8 on the season and will face the Eagles on Sunday, while the Chargers are now 1-13 and will face the Chiefs.