The Los Angeles Chargers edged a 20-19 victory over the Tennessee Titans after a thrilling finish to the second NFL game of the season at Wembley.
In a wild finish, Tennessee scored a touchdown inside the final minute to close to within a point of the Chargers – but instead of kicking the extra point to force overtime coach Mike Vrabel went for the two-pointer to bag the win.
Quarterback Marcus Mariota had two chances to find the winner thanks to a penalty flag, but on both occasions his throws could not connect with a receiver in the end zone.
The Chargers made some huge big plays to score touchdowns but the Titans hung on in there and controlled possession of the ball, running 68 snaps to LA’s 44, to stay in the game and force a tight finish.
Mariota almost got the job done himself when he was ruled down just short of the line after running for his own touchdown, before he connected with Luke Stocker to set up the crazy finish.
Fast start from the Chargers
The Chargers exploded into action with a 75-yard touchdown pass from Philip Rivers to Tyrell Williams on their very first play of the game.
Mike Williams repeated the dose with a 55-yard TD catch from Rivers as the Chargers opened up an 11-point gap at the start of the season half.
After going a full ten quarters without finding the end zone, the Titans finally scored a touchdown with Derrick Henry running in from a yard as the Chargers defence started to fade after being on the field for so long.
LA badly missed star running back Melvin Gordon as they could not move the ball on the ground all game - prompting them to look for the big plays through the air.
That gave Tennessee the chance to level the game but coach Vrabel went the win-or-bust route when trying for the late two-pointer, but he stuck to his guns after the game.
"I have faith in the team, it just didn't work out,” Vrabel said in his post-match press conference. “Faced with the same situation I'd like to think I'd do it again."