The Patriots looked to have Melvin Gordon sewn up as he danced behind a crowded line on a first-quarter off-tackle carry Sunday. Instead, the Chargers’ tailback ripped through a hole large enough for a pickup truck and rumbled 87 yards — 82 of them untouched, for the longest run of his career.
Melvin Gordon went basically untouched for the longest TD run of his NFL career
So the Patriots’ run defense might be awful now, too.
Gordon had been limited to just six yards on his first four carries, but his fifth was enough to give Los Angeles an early 7-0 lead. The third-year tailback, playing with turf toe, patiently waited for his offensive line to clear a path before blasting down the right sideline. No Patriot even made contact with him before cornerback Malcolm Butler caught up to him at the New England 5-yard-line and attempted to punch the ball from his arm.
What this means for the Chargers: Los Angeles’ upset bid got a little extra juice — and Gordon earned a spot in franchise history.
What this means for Melvin Gordon: Gordon was suffering through a disappointing 2017, as injuries and ineffectiveness had limited him to just 3.4 yards per carry. With one big run Sunday, he’d gained more yards than he had in six of his seven games this fall.
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