Bolts slip by Chiefs in OT, clinch berth

SAN DIEGO - The San Diego Chargers' three-year playoff drought is over, thanks to another epic, heart-stopping win over the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Chargers have needed help for weeks, and everything fell into place Sunday, with the last piece a 27-24 overtime victory over the Chiefs, who already had clinched the AFC's No. 5 seed. Coach Andy Reid rested 20 of 22 starters.

Nick Novak kicked a 36-yard field goal with 5 minutes, 30 seconds left in overtime. The Chargers, who trailed by 10 points in the fourth quarter, then held the Chiefs on downs to win it after they reached the San Diego 41.

Earlier in the day, the Chargers (9-7) got the help they needed when Miami and Baltimore lost. San Diego has won four straight and five of six heading into a wild-card game next weekend at AFC North champion Cincinnati.

The Chiefs (11-5) go into the playoffs having lost five of seven. They play at AFC South champion Indianapolis, which won, 23-7, in Kansas City last week.

Kansas City kicker Ryan Succop was wide right on a potential game-winning, 41-yard field-goal try with four seconds left in regulation.

Chargers 27, Chiefs 24

Kansas City 14 7 3 0 0 - 24

San Diego 7 7 0 10 3 - 27

First quarter

KC-Davis 17 run (Succop kick), 13:03.

SD-Green 22 pass from Rivers (Novak kick), 10:37.

KC-McCluster 2 pass from Daniel (Succop kick), 5:07.

Second quarter

SD-Gates 4 pass from Rivers (Novak kick), 14:56.

KC-Davis 2 run (Succop kick), 1:07.

Third quarter

KC-FG Succop 46, 7:27.

Fourth quarter

SD-Royal 6 pass from Rivers (Novak kick), 11:45.

SD-FG Novak 22, 3:21.

Overtime

SD-FG Novak 36, 5:30.

A: 66,374.

KC   SD

First downs 22   19

Total Net Yards 332   405

Rushes-yards 37-143   36-186

Passing 189   219

Punt Returns 1-32   2-6

Kickoff Returns 4-125   3-70

Interceptions Ret. 1-14   0-0

Comp-Att-Int 21-30-0   22-33-1

Sacked-Yards Lost 2-11   3-10

Punts 5-45.8   5-46.4

Fumbles-Lost 1-0   0-0

Penalties-Yards 1-5   4-22

Time of Possession 34:36   37:08

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing: Kansas City, Davis 27-81, Daniel 7-59, Gray 2-2, Jenkins 1-1. San Diego, Mathews 24-144, Woodhead 5-18, Royal 2-17, McClain 1-3, Rivers 3-2, Weddle 1-2.

Passing: Kansas City, Daniel 21-30-0-200. San Diego, Rivers 22-33-1-229.

Receiving: Kansas City, McCluster 6-62, Hemingway 5-45, Jenkins 3-67, Gray 3-7, Davis 2-5, McGrath 1-11, Gordon 1-3. San Diego, Woodhead 7-42, Allen 5-89, Gates 4-31, Royal 3-34, Mathews 2-11, Green 1-22. Missed Field Goals: Kansas City, Succop 41 (WR).