CHARGERS 38, 49ERS 35 (OT)
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Nick Novak kicked a 40-yard field goal nearly 5 minutes into overtime after Philip Rivers rallied San Diego back from a 21-point deficit in the second half, keeping the Chargers’ slim playoff hopes alive with a 38-35 victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday night.
Rivers threw a tying 11-yard touchdown pass to Malcom Floyd with 29 seconds left in regulation after completing a pair of fourth-and-longs as the Chargers (9-6) forced overtime.
Phil Dawson’s 60-yard field goal attempt for San Francisco as regulation ended fell way short. Quinton Patton fumbled in overtime to set up San Diego’s winning drive.
Rivers converted fourth-and-8 and fourth-and-10 on the key final San Diego drive of the fourth quarter. Rivers threw touchdown passes of 21 and 1 yard to Antonio Gates and another to Eddie Royal, but also was hurt by three interceptions. On one of those, Antoine Bethea had a 49-yard return for his first career touchdown.
The 49ers (7-8) blew just their second game when leading by 21 or more at halftime. They lost 42-41 to Minnesota on Oct. 24, 1965, after leading 35-14 at halftime.
Colin Kaepernick ran 90 yards for a touchdown and Frank Gore had a 52-yard touchdown run as the Niners grabbed early momentum.
REDSKINS 27, EAGLES 24
LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Kai Forbath kicked 26-yard field goal with 5 seconds left to lift Washington past Philadelphia, putting the Eagles on the brink of elimination from the playoff race.
The Redskins snapped a six-game losing streak. The Eagles lost their third in a row to fall to 9-6. They need the Dallas Cowboys to lose their final two games to have a shot at repeating as NFC East champs.
The Redskins improved to 4-11. Robert Griffin III returned as the Washington starter and won in his first complete game in more than a year. He went 16 for 23 for 220 yards with one interception.
Mark Sanchez committed two turnovers for the Eagles, including Washington rookie cornerback Bashaud Breeland’s interception with 1:31 left that led to the winning field goal. Sanchez was 37 of 50 for 374 yards with two touchdowns to Riley Cooper.
The Eagles (9-6) will now focus their energies on rooting for the Indianapolis Colts to beat the Cowboys (10-4) on Sunday. Philadelphia then would need to beat the New York Giants on the road next week, then hope that Dallas loses to the Redskins. That would create a 10-6 tie atop the NFC East, with the Eagles claiming first place because they hold the tiebreaker based on a better division record.
Philadelphia’s loss clinched a playoff berth for the Detroit Lions. The Eagles were eliminated from the wild-card race.
