Page 20 - AT

A20 SPORTS
Monday 7 January 2019

Los Angeles Chargers vs. Baltimore Ravens

By DAVID GINSBURG touchdown passes to make job he did to get Balti-
AP Sports Writer it close. Given one final more into the postseason.
BALTIMORE (AP) — The Los chance to complete the With the former Louisville
Angeles Chargers kept La- comeback, the 21-year- star leading the way, the
mar Jackson grounded, old looked every bit like the Ravens went on a tear by
and by the time the rookie youngest quarterback to combining a time-consum-
got the passing game go- start an NFL playoff game ing ground game with the
ing it was too late for the when he lost the ball on his league’s top-ranked de-
Baltimore Ravens. third fumble of the game. fense.
Michael Badgley kicked Jackson finished 14 for 29 Jackson finished with 54
five field goals, and Los An- for 194 yards with an inter- yards rushing, but he was
geles harassed and hound- ception. He was sacked booed by many in the
ed Jackson during a 23-17 seven times. crowd of 70, 432 after the
victory Sunday in the open- “I wasn’t playing my game Ravens fell behind by 20
ing round of the NFL play- Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Melvin Ingram (54) today. I’m ticked off about points.
offs. celebrates after sacking Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar that, definitely,” Jackson “They were looking for bet-
The Chargers (13-4) will next Jackson in the second half of an NFL wild card playoff football said. ter in us,” Jackson said.
face the second-seeded game, Sunday, Jan. 6, 2019, in Baltimore. The AFC North champion “We didn’t perform well. It
New England Patriots (11- Associated Press Ravens were making their happens sometimes.”
5) on the road Sunday. Chargers quarterback Phil- timore (10-7) just two weeks first playoff appearance Jackson threw a 31-yard
The Chargers last won two ip Rivers said. “It seems like ago. since 2014 after Jackson touchdown pass to Mi-
games during a single post- forever. They’re always in Badgley set a franchise led the team on a 6-1 sea- chael Crabtree to make
season in 2007, when the these games and games record for field goals in a son-ending run following it 23-10 with 6:33 remain-
franchise was in San Diego. beyond.” playoff game. He connect- an injury to long-time start- ing and tossed a 7-yarder
Of course, going deep in Rivers went 22 for 32 for 160 ed from 21, 53, 40, 34 and er Joe Flacco. to Crabtree with 1:59 left,
the playoffs are old hat for yards for Los Angeles, pro- 47 yards. In the days leading up to but Baltimore’s last chance
the Patriots. viding just enough offense The Chargers built a 23-3 the game, Jackson — the ended when Jackson
“Yeah, I mean, gosh, we to help the Chargers get lead in the fourth quarter 2016 Heisman Trophy win- fumbled after being hit by
know the run they’ve had,” even for a 22-10 loss to Bal- before Jackson threw two ner — was lauded for the Uchenna Nwosu.q

Messi scores, Barca beats Getafe to take 5-point lead at top

Associated Press match around in the 20th the match but was denied
MADRID (AP) — Lionel Messi minute when he pounced both times by Soria.
and Luis Suarez scored bril- on a loose ball in the area, Getafe pulled one back
liant goals as Barcelona poked it between the legs through Jaime Mata just
beat Getafe 2-1 on Sunday of goalkeeper David Soria before halftime and the
to increase its lead in the and slotted it home from a hosts had chances to draw
Spanish league. tight angle. level. But Barcelona goal-
Barcelona capitalized on Suarez matched his team- keeper Marc-Andre ter
slipups by its rivals earlier mate’s effort in the 39th Stegen saved a powerful
in the day to take a five- when he planted his left header by Leandro Ca-
point lead over second- foot as a pivot and used his brera before Mata squan-
placed Atletico. Sevilla right leg to rifle the ball from dered a golden opportu-
trails Barcelona by seven the edge of the area into nity in the 66th when he
points in third place, and the corner of the net with a caught Ter Stegen off his
fifth-placed Real Madrid waist-high volley. line only to miss the open
FC Barcelona’s Luis Suarez celebrates after scoring during a is 10 points behind, as the Messi leads the league with goal.
Spanish La Liga soccer match between Getafe and FC Barcelona league reaches its midway 16 goals, followed by Su- Getafe, which had con-
at the Alfonso Perez stadium in Getafe, Spain, Sunday, Jan. 6, point next round. Getafe arez in second place with ceded only four goals
2019. started well but, as he so of- 12. Messi came close to at home this season, re-
Associated Press ten does, Messi turned the adding another goal late in mained in seventh place.q