Chargers Contain Titans

SAN DIEGO 17, TENNESSEE 6 -------------------------

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- Quarterback Philip Rivers threw for 292 yards and a touchdown pass to lead the San Diego Chargers to a 17-6 victory over the Tennessee Titans in an AFC wild card game.It marked the highest passing output for Rivers since Week 11and propelled San Diego to its seventh consecutive victory and second over the Titans in four weeks. LaDainian Tomlinson, bottled up for most of the game, scored the decisive touchdown on a critical fourth-down play in the fourth quarter as the third-seeded Chargers (12-5) advanced to play at No. 2 Indianapolis in the divisional playoffs next Sunday.

With Tomlinson limited to 42 yards on 21 rushes and Pro Bowl tight end Antonio Gates sitting out the second half with an injured big toe, Rivers took control of the offense and rallied the Chargers from a 6-0 halftime deficit.The fourth-year quarterback completed 19-of-30 passes with the TD and an interception, but he was at his best in the second half to help the Chargers win a playoff game for the first time since reaching the Super Bowl in 1995. Rivers hit 10-of-11 passes for 132 yards in the third quarter alone, including a 25-yard touchdown pass to Vincent Jackson that put San Diego ahead to stay, 10-7, with 2:35 left in the quarter.

After the normally reliable Rob Bironas missed a 38-yard field goal in the first minute of the final quarter, Rivers again came up with the big play, connecting with Chris Chambers on a 39-yard pass to Tennessee's 8-yard line. That set up the insurance touchdown by Tomlinson, who used his head as much as his legs to give the Chargers a 17-6 cushion with 8:45 to play. Facing a 4th-and-goal inside the 1-yard line, Tomlinson attempted to dive over the line of scrimmage but was driven back and stood up on a crushing hit by linebacker Keith Bulluck. Tomlinson, unable to move forward, alertly reached out and held the ball just across the goal line for the touchdown. Tennessee coach Jeff Fisher challenged the call but it stood upon video review.

Chambers finished with six catches for 121 yards and Jackson had five catches for 114 yards, as San Diego had five passing playsof at least 25 yards.Vince Young, who started despite an ailing right quadriceps, was16-of-29 for 138 yards and an interception for the Titans (10-7).