SD _ Tomlinson 3 run (Kaeding kick); 2 plays, 10 yards, 0:47 drive time, 12:58 remaining.
KC _ Charles 4 run (Succop kick); 8 plays, 79 yards, 3:13 drive time, 9:45 remaining.
SD _ FG Kaeding 55; 8 plays, 27 yards, 5:18 drive time, 4:27 remaining.
The Chiefs discovered what for them was a new way to self-destruct. Rudy Niswanger’s snap went over Cassel’s head in the shotgun formation on the third play of the half. San Diego recovered at the KC 10. That led to Tomlinson’s TD . . . Cassel threw for 49 yards to Charles to the San Diego 31. Later, a 14-yard pass to Chambers took the Chiefs to the Chargers’ 2. Charles scored on the next play . . . Leading now by 21 points, the Chargers weren’t content to just work the clock. Rivers threw for 22 yards to Gates on the first play to put San Diego at the KC 42. Rivers’ 10-yard pass to Floyd gave the Chargers another first down. Three penalties on the next set of downs set the Chargers back and they had Kaeding try the long field goal. The risk paid off when it cleared the crossbar with room to spare . . . A series of shorter gains took the Chiefs to midfield on their possession. On third and 7 from the 50, Mark Bradley dropped a pass that would have given the Chiefs a fresh set of downs. The fourth down snap, again from the shotgun, was high and Cassel never got a grip. All he could do was fall on the ball for an 11-yard loss . . . The Chargers were still throwing. Rivers threw passes on the first two plays to take San Diego to the KC 6. The period ended with the Chargers at the 5.
