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Royal's late score lifts Bolts past Ravens

Nov 30, 2014 - 11:55 PM Baltimore, MD (SportsNetwork.com) - Eddie Royal's 1-yard touchdown catch with 38 seconds remaining lifted the San Diego Chargers over the Baltimore Ravens, 34-33, on Sunday.

Trailing 33-27, the Chargers started from their own 20-yard line with 2:22 to play. Keenan Allen caught passes of 14 and 12 yards to move the ball past midfield. Philip Rivers connected with Malcom Floyd to keep the chains moving on 3rd-and-3. After Anthony Levine was called for defensive pass interference in the end zone, Rivers threw a screen pass to Royal for the go-ahead score.

Time expired on the Ravens after Kamar Aiken's 24-yard catch.

Rivers completed 34-of-45 passes for 383 yards, three touchdowns and an interception for the Chargers (8-4), who outscored Baltimore by a 21-10 margin in the fourth quarter.

"The players never gave up and we just kept plugging away," said Chargers coach Mike McCoy said. "That's what good teams do. The character of our team once again showed up, and when you've got a great quarterback like Philip Rivers, you got a chance to win every game just as long as there's time left on the clock."

Allen caught 11 passes for 121 yards and two touchdowns for San Diego, which has won three in a row. Royal hauled in nine passes for 81 yards.

Joe Flacco connected on 19-of-31 passes for 225 yards and two touchdowns for the Ravens (7-5), who are tied with Pittsburgh and Cleveland for second place in the AFC North. Flacco also ran for a score.

Justin Forsett carried the ball 24 times for 106 yards and reached the 1,000- yard rushing milestone for the first time in his career. It was his third consecutive game of more than 100 rushing yards.

Torrey Smith caught six passes for 65 yards and two scores for Baltimore.

"Give credit to the Chargers and especially Philip Rivers," said Ravens coach John Harbaugh. "I thought he did a good job, obviously. He's a great quarterback, and in the end, that was the difference."

The Ravens scored a touchdown on the game's opening possession. Flacco completed 4-of-5 passes for 61 yards during the drive, including a 16-yard TD pass to Smith. The wide receiver pulled the ball in with one hand and maintained control for the early score.

Baltimore's defense forced a turnover to give its offense the ball right back. Rivers had his arm hit while throwing and linebacker Daryl Smith caught the ball for an interception. However, the Ravens had to settle for a 33-yard Justin Tucker field goal.

The Chargers responded with a 13-play, 80-yard drive that Allen capped with a diving touchdown catch. Antonio Gates helped San Diego convert two of its four third downs on the march. His 16-yard grab on 3rd-and-13 preceded Allen's 12- yard score with 20 seconds left in the first quarter.

The Ravens moved the ball to the San Diego 3-yard line, but had to settle for a 21-yard Tucker field goal.

Baltimore's defense came up with another big turnover on San Diego's ensuing possession. Royal fumbled and the Ravens recovered at their own 16. Forsett quickly moved the ball past midfield with a 15-yard catch and 23-yard run. A defensive pass interference penalty moved the ball to the 17-yard line, but the Ravens settled for another Tucker field goal.

Nick Novak made a 52-yard field goal to get San Diego within 16-10 with two seconds left in the first half.

Rivers connected with Floyd for a 59-yard gain to put the Chargers inside the red zone. However, San Diego settled for a 26-yard Novak field goal.

Jacoby Jones returned the ensuing kickoff 24 yards to the Baltimore 47. Flacco's pass fell incomplete on 3rd-and-8, but safety Eric Weddle was called for roughing the passer. After converting a 3rd-and-7, Smith caught a 10-yard TD pass to make it 23-13.

Each team punted for the first time on the next two possessions. The Chargers then scored a touchdown early in the fourth, as Floyd's 18-yard catch set up Ryan Mathews' 14-yard TD run.

Baltimore followed with a 12-play, 79-yard drive that took almost seven minutes off the clock. Jones' 31-yard catch moved the ball near midfield and the Ravens converted two third downs due to defensive penalties. Flacco's 1- yard TD run made it 30-20 with 6:13 to play.

Allen caught three passes on San Diego's next possession, including a 23-yard score. But Jones returned the ensuing kickoff 72 yards to the 30-yard line of the Chargers. However, the Ravens settled for a 31-yard Tucker field goal to make it 33-27.

Game Notes

The all-time series is tied, 5-5. The Chargers had lost both of their previous trips to Baltimore ... Ravens wide receiver Marlon Brown left the game with a concussion ...Mathews carried the ball 13 times for 38 yards.