Chargers finally finish, score on game’s last play

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The Los Angeles Chargers finally found a way to close out a win this season.

The Bolts came into Sunday’s game against Atlanta with four losses coming either in overtime or as time expired in regulation. But things finally lined up in their favor when Michael Badgley hit a 43-yard field goal as time expired to lift Los Angeles to a 20-17 victory.

“We’ve been struggling in that category and it feels good,” said running back Austin Ekeler, who had 146 scrimmage yards to help Los Angeles (4-9) snap a two-game losing streak.

Los Angeles got the ball on its 26 with 30 seconds remaining after Michael Davis picked off Matt Ryan’s pass intended for Calvin Ridley.

That set the stage for Justin Herbert to direct his first game-winning drive.

The rookie completed three of four passes, including a 15-yarder to Hunter Henry to midfield and a 25-yard throw along the left sideline to Tyron Johnson to get into Badgley’s range.

After Kalen Ballage’s 1-yard run to put the ball on the left hashmark, Badgley came on and split the uprights for the second game-winning kick of his career.

Herbert’s drive is even more impressive considering he was without the starting right side of his offensive line while wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams were also sidelined.

“It was huge for us. We knew that when we went out there, we had the right guys out there and we ran the right plays,” said Herbert, who completed 36 of 44 passes for 243 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.

■ NEXT: Chargers at Raiders, 5:20 p.m. Thursday. Buccaneers at Falcons, 10 a.m. Sunday.