Rivers
throws 4 TDs, Chargers beat Bucs
41-24 to set up showdown
Philip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers did everything they
could to save their season.
The NFL’s highest-rated passer threw for 287 yards and four touchdowns Sunday,
helping the Chargers beat Tampa Bay 41-24 to keep their playoff hopes alive and
deal a crushing blow to the Buccaneers’ chances.
After their third straight win in what amounted to elimination games for a team
that began the season with expectations of reaching the Super Bowl, San Diego
(7-8) got needed help when Buffalo beat Denver 30-23. The Broncos and Chargers
meet next week in San Diego in a showdown for the division title.
“I can’t say enough about our guys in terms of the way they’ve handled the last
month. The way they prepared, they way they competed,” coach Norv Turner said.
The Chargers have won 13 consecutive December games, including seven on the
road, since a loss at Kansas City on Dec. 24, 2005....Recap
Video: Philip Rivers threw
for 287 yards and four touchdowns leading the Chargers to their third straight
win Sunday. Greg Gumbel and Dan Dierdorf recap all the action from this back and
forth slugfest in Tampa
Philip Rivers passed to Brandon Manumaleuna to the left
for 11 yard gain (Nate Kaeding made PAT)
7 - 0
2:39
TB
TD
B.J. Askew rushed up the middle for 1 yard gain (Matt
Bryant made PAT)
7 - 7
2nd Quarter
13:26
SD
TD
Philip Rivers passed to Antonio Gates to the left for 15
yard gain (Nate Kaeding made PAT)
14 - 7
5:32
SD
FG
Nate Kaeding kicked a 28-yard field goal
17 - 7
0:17
TB
FG
Matt Bryant kicked a 49-yard field goal
17 - 10
0:00
SD
FG
Nate Kaeding kicked a 57-yard field goal
20 - 10
3rd Quarter
7:41
TB
TD
Jeff Garcia rushed to the left for 7 yard gain (Matt
Bryant made PAT)
20 - 17
5:05
TB
TD
Jeff Garcia passed to Antonio Bryant to the right for 71
yard gain (Matt Bryant made PAT)
20 - 24
4th Quarter
14:53
SD
TD
Philip Rivers passed to Antonio Gates to the right for 5
yard gain (Nate Kaeding made PAT)
27 - 24
7:18
SD
TD
Philip Rivers passed to Darren Sproles to the right for
32 yard gain (Nate Kaeding made PAT)
34 - 24
3:00
SD
TD
Antoine Cason intercepted Jeff Garcia for 59 yards (Nate
Kaeding made PAT)
41 - 24
Team Statistics
SD
TB
First Downs
21
19
Passing
16
10
Rushing
5
8
Penalty
0
1
Third Down Efficiency
7-13
6-13
Fourth Down Efficiency
0-0
1-2
TOTAL NET YARDS
370
342
Total Plays
58
64
Average Gain Per Play
6.4
5.3
NET YARDS RUSHING
90
111
Rushes
26
27
Average Per Rush
3.5
4.1
NET YARDS PASSING
280
231
Completions-Attempts
21-31
21-35
Yards Per Pass Play
8.8
6.2
Times Sacked
1
2
Yards Lost to Sacks
7
1
Had Intercepted
0
2
PUNTS
4
3
Average Punt
44.5
43.7
PENALTIES
4
2
Penalty Yards
25
25
FUMBLES
0
1
Fumbles Lost
0
1
TIME OF POSSESSION
30:51
29:09
Pregame Previews, Storylines,
and News
New Page 1
Preview:
Back-to-back defeats
haven't helped the Tampa Bay
Buccaneers' chances for
postseason contention. The San
Diego Chargers, meanwhile, have
kept themselves in the mix
behind consecutive victories. As
each team continues to battle
for a playoff spot, the
Buccaneers put their perfect
home record on the line Sunday
as they match up against a
Chargers team that is riding a
late-season surge for a second
straight year. Tampa Bay (9-5)
was cruising toward the
postseason entering Week 14, but
has stumbled in its last two
contests...Preview
Prediction: Four Bucs
defensive starters could sit against the Chargers, who can make their way into
the post-season with a series of miracles. And, as you saw last week this team
really believes in miracles. Still the Bucs are a far superior team, and the
Chargers have to come down from last weeks miracle.
Bucs 24 Chargers 20
Video Preview: As each team
battles for a playoff spot, the Bucs put their perfect home record on the line
as they match up against a Chargers team that is riding a late-season surge
13.7
17.8