Philip Rivers & Chargers Keep Playoff Hopes Alive

Yesterday former NC State quarterback Philip Rivers and the Los Angeles Chargers (8-7) kept their playoff hopes alive, defeating the Jets 14-7.

Rivers connected with his forever target Antonio Gates for a touchdown in the 2nd quarter to give Los Angeles a 7-0 lead. Shortly after halftime, New York running back Bilal Powell got loose for a 67-yard touchdown run to tie the game. Then with 5 minutes left in the game, Chargers running back Melvin Gordon ran it in from 1-yard out to seal the deal.

Rivers was 22 of 40 for 292 yards with 1 touchdown. He also passed a Hall of Famer yesterday in the record books.

Philip Rivers just passed John Elway for the 8th most completions in NFL history with 4,124. #LACvsNYJ pic.twitter.com/wFZgwRDoXW

— #LACvsNYJ (@Chargers) December 24, 2017

His TD to Gates was the 87th time the two of them connected for a touchdown, which is the third most all-time by a Quarterback-to-Receiver duo.

Rivers has now crossed the 4,000 passing yard park for the 9th time in his career.

Philip Rivers has passed 4,000 yards on the season fof the ninth time. He’s only the fourth QB to ever accomplish that feat. #LACvsNYJ

— Ricky Henne (@ChargersRHenne) December 24, 2017

After the victory, the Chargers needed the Rams to beat the Titans go keep their playoff hopes alive.

Cool scene in Chargers locker room: Philip Rivers took out his phone post-game to watch end of Titans-Rams. (Tom Telesco is there, too, hidden to Rivers’ right). Lots of cheers when Rams won. “We stay alive!” someone shouted. pic.twitter.com/a7S9Em5ErU

— Jenny Vrentas (@JennyVrentas) December 24, 2017

Rivers thinks they have a good football team, but they will have to wait and see if they are a playoff team.

Philip Rivers: “Are we a good team? I think we’re a good team. Are we a playoff team? We’ll know in about eight days.”

— Jack Wang (@thejackwang) December 24, 2017

“It will make for a lot more spirited week knowing we’re alive.” – Philip Rivers on still being in playoff hunt

— #LACvsNYJ (@Chargers) December 24, 2017

Rivers and the Chargers have to take care of their business next week and beat the Raiders, but they’ll also need the Titans to lose to the Jaguars and the Ravens to defeat the Bengals.