Nov 6, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers running back Melvin Gordon (28) runs the ball as Tennessee Titans defensive back Brice McCain (23) defends during the second half at Qualcomm Stadium. San Diego won 43-35. Photo Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
SAN DIEGO — Some called Sunday’s Chargers-Titans contest, “The Ballot Bowl.”
Hopefully the Chargers’ backers can stuff the ballot box on Tuesday as well as Melvin Gordon stuck it to Tennessee.
The Chargers rolled the Titans, 43-35, in winning for the third time in four games.
Gordon rushed for a career-high 196 yards, the ninth-highest total in franchise history. He added 65 receiving yards on four catches for a nifty total of 261 yards, with a rushing touchdown, too.
Just maybe his inspired performance will motivate San Diego’s citizens come Tuesday. The team is asking $1.1 billion from the city for a downtown stadium, a measure that must be approved by two-thirds of the voters.
Gordon’s performance on Sunday was a landslide winner. The former first-round pick, who didn’t rush for 100 yards or score a touchdown his rookie season, has emerged as the NFL’s touchdown leader (11) in his second year. He’s run for 100 yards three times this year, and in consecutive games.
“We’re going to give him the ball and let him roll,” Chargers coach Mike McCoy said. “I’ve got no problem when he’s running the ball the way he did and looks the way he did at the end of the game.”
Gordon’s has stiff-armed his reputation as a fumbler, which haunted him last season and earlier this year.
“Every guy wants to make a play,” Gordon said. “Every guy wants you to look and him and think, ‘I can count on this guy.’ That’s how we all want to be. When you get the opportunity to have the ball in your hands, it’s your job to make something happen.”
It was a happening, all right, when Gordon had the ball and his shoulders turned up field.
“He was just awesome,” Philip Rivers said. “I would have paid to watch him today.”
Gordon is money because his front line is fit. That unit had 24 different combinations last year as injuries depleted the line. When seeking reasons why Gordon has gone from bust to bonkers, don’t overlook his blockers.
“Last year is so different from this year because they’re healthier,” Gordon said. “They’re in there, they’re able to work together and they are able to build that chemistry amongst each other. The chemistry is real because they know how to block things and they know what each other is thinking. It was not too hard to miss things today, because those guys did a great job.”
Cornerback Brandon Flowers said he could sense his teammate’s impact on the Titans.
“We know, being a defender, on the opposite that it wears you down,” Flowers said. “We know it’s wearing the defense down the way he’s running and pounding the ball.”
Suddenly the wobbly Chargers have some giddy-up.
“We’re feeding our horse right now,” Flowers said.
