On a blazing hot afternoon in San Diego yesterday, the Chargers pulled off an impressive victory over the Seattle Seahawks which came as a surprise to many. The Chargers typically play very well at home and in games they do lose, they tend to keep the score fairly close. However, not many expected the Chargers to beat the reigning Super Bowl champions who were coming off a convincing win against a strong Green Bay Packer team.

Thanks to the veteran tight end Antonio Gates tearing up the Seahawks defense that is considered the best by most people, the Chargers were able to pull off an upset win 30-21. Gates and quarterback Philip Rivers were in perfect coordination throughout the game.

The tandem of Rivers and Gates, connected for three touchdowns Sunday. Rivers and Gates who have a long history of success together also have the record for the most touchdowns of any quarterback-tight end combo in league history. Gates’s performance, including an unreal one-handed catch between two defenders,  brought back the days when he was thought of as one of the premier tight ends in the league. Gates appeared in top form even though he missed the majority of the offseason due to family tragedy. Rivers was just as sharp, shredding the Seahawks stingy secondary for 284 yards completing 28 of 37 passes.

Although the Chargers offense appeared to easily dictate the tempo of the game, it was certainly no easy task as the Seahawks had solidified themselves as one of the best defensive teams in the league. Last year, they were ranked number one in fewest points allowed, which was probably the biggest factor in the Seahawks Super Bowl run.

The Chargers were looking to rebound from a tough loss last week after blowing a lead against the Arizona Cardinals.  The Chargers put all of this aside and came out strong in the first half unlike last week. The Chargers defense played very well and held the Seahawks to just 14 points in the first half. Meanwhile, the offense was consistent and put up 20 points including two eight yard touchdown catches by Gates. The Chargers took a 20-14 lead into halftime largely due to Seahawks wide receiver, Percy Harvin fumbling a kickoff that resulted in one of Gates’s touchdowns.

The second half started and the Chargers struck first with Rivers again finding Gates for an amazing 21-yard touchdown catch. However, the reigning champions came back with a commanding 70-yard touchdown drive. Seahawks quarterback Russel Wilson found pro bowl running back Marshawn Lynch for a 14-yard touchdown pass to make the score 27-21 with three seconds remaining in the third quarter. Throughout the fourth quarter, neither team was able to break through and put points on the board until a Nick Novak 28-yard field goal sealed the huge victory for the Chargers.

Overall, both the offense and defense of the Chargers played exceptionally well as the Chargers rebounded from a tough loss with an unexpected victory in their home opener. The Chargers will look to carry on their momentum next week when they will travel to take on the Buffalo Bills who are surprisingly atop the AFC East with a 2-0 record. If the Chargers are able to play even close to as well as they did this weekend, they should be coming home with another victory.