Chargers QB Tyrod Taylor leads successful comeback against Bengals QB Joe Burrow

  • Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) looks to throw during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)

  • Cincinnati Bengals’ Jessie Bates breaks up a pass intended by Los Angeles Chargers’ Mike Williams (81) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)

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  • Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Drue Tranquill (49) is comforted by Kenneth Murray (56) and Cincinnati Bengals’ Khalid Kareem (90) after being injured during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)

  • Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) throws during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)

  • Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Mixon (28) is about to be tackled by Los Angeles Chargers’ Casey Hayward (26) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)

  • Cincinnati Bengals’ Ryan Glasgow (98) is helped off the field during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)

  • The name of Breonna Taylor is on the helmet of Cincinnati Bengals’ Khalid Kareem during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)

  • Los Angeles Chargers’ Joe Reed (12) runs during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)

  • Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) looks to throw during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)

  • Cincinnati Bengals kicker Randy Bullock (4) boots a field goal out of the hold of Kevin Huber (10) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)

  • Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) juggles the football during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)

  • Los Angeles Chargers’ Keenan Allen (13) is tackled by Cincinnati Bengals’ Jessie Bates (30) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)

  • Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Nick Vigil (59) recovers a fumble by Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Mixon (28) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)

  • Los Angeles Chargers running back Joshua Kelley (27) celebrates with Virgil Green (88) after Kelley rushed for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)

  • Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) is chased by Los Angeles Chargers’ Damion Square (71) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)

  • Los Angeles Chargers’ Joshua Kelley (27) celebrates with teammates after rushing touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)

  • Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) is chased by Los Angeles Chargers’ Damion Square (71) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)

  • Los Angeles Chargers’ Tyrod Taylor (5) reacts following an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)

  • Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor talks with an official during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)

  • Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Melvin Ingram (54) celebrates after making an interception during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)

  • Los Angeles Chargers’ Linval Joseph (95), Kenneth Murray (56), Brandon Facyson (28) and Jerry Tillery (99) celebrate after defeating the Cincinnati Bengals an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Cincinnati. Los Angeles won 16-13. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)

  • Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor reacts to a call during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)

  • Cincinnati Bengals kicker Randy Bullock (4) misses a field goal out of the hold of Kevin Huber (10) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Cincinnati. The field goal would have tied the game. Los Angeles Chargers won 16-13. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)

  • Cincinnati Bengals kicker Randy Bullock (4) reacts after missing a game tying field goal during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Cincinnati. Los Angeles won 16-13. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)

  • Los Angeles Chargers’ Desmond King (20) celebrates after his team defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)

  • Los Angeles Chargers’ Keenan Allen (13) is tackled by Cincinnati Bengals’ William Jackson (22) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)

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Tyrod Taylor repeatedly said in the offseason the Chargers were going to turn heads with him as the starting quarterback. Not many were convinced, but Taylor had the support of Chargers coach Anthony Lynn.

Lynn and Taylor shifted through months of doubt to get to Sunday’s season opener against rookie quarterback Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals. It likely wasn’t what the new partnership in the post-Philip Rivers era envisioned, but the outcome was what they wanted, with Taylor guiding the Chargers to a comeback 16-13 victory at Paul Brown Stadium.

The Chargers also had some luck with Bengals kicker Randy Bullock missing a 31-yard field goal with two seconds left in regulation. After many key injuries, the Chargers will gladly take the win.

Taylor went 16 of 30 for 208 yards. Austin Ekeler rushed 19 times for 84 yards. Burrow had an impressive final drive to set up Bullock’s potential heroics. The No. 1 overall pick went 23 of 36 for 193 yards and one interception.

Rookie running back Joshua Kelley gave the Chargers a spark they desperately needed after three sluggish quarters. Kelley opened the second half with a 26-yard run and scored on a 5-yard run to tie the game 13-13 with 12:23 in the fourth quarter.

The Chargers scored 10 unanswered points after kicker Michael Badgley made a 22-yard field goal to give his team their first lead of the game at 16-13 with 8:56 left in regulation. The Chargers were able to get the ball quickly thanks to linebacker Denzel Perryman’s forced fumble on running back Joe Mixon. Newcomer and former Bengal Nick Vigil recovered Mixon’s first fumble in 621 touches.

Burrow had growing pains on his first drive of the second half after back-to-back missed throws to open wide receivers John Ross and A.J. Green in the end zone. The Bengals settled for a 50-yard field goal from Randy Bullock to take a 10-6 advantage with 9:12 in the third quarter.

The Chargers said throughout the week they’re expecting surprises because they didn’t have film on a Burrow-lead offense. The first surprise moment happened in the first quarter when Burrow took off for a 23-yard touchdown run to give the Bengals a 7-0 lead.

Burrow displayed poise by noticing the middle of the field open before the snap and used center Trey Hopkins as a blocker to evade safety Rayshawn Jenkins and enter the end zone.

But Burrow didn’t make many big plays with his arm in the first half. He went 9 of 14 for 51 yards and averaged 3.6 yards per attempt in the first half.

The Chargers led the yardage total 232 to 88 at halftime, but found themselves down 7-6. Badgley recorded two first-half field goals, including a 43 yarder as time expired for halftime.

The Chargers had an opportunity to take the lead on their first drive of the second half, but Badgley missed a 50-yard field goal attempt.

Check back soon for updates

 

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