Key plays: The Chargers took the opening kickoff and drove inside the Arizona 30, but Philip Rivers underthrew Antonio Gates in the middle of the field and Monty Beisel intercepted. The Cardinals promptly drove 78 yards for a touchdown, with Anquan Boldin producing two big plays, a 37-yard reception and an 18-yard run (on third-and-7).

Key stat: The teams finished with 94 yards each, with Arizona gaining 1 more yard rushing (40-39) and San Diego 1 more passing (55-54).

Not in the box score: Rivers suffered an injury to his right foot while being sacked by Chike Okeafor on the Chargers' second possession. He missed one play at the end of the quarter, but returned (with a limp) to start the second period.

2ND QUARTER: CHARGERS 17, CARDINALS 7

Key plays: Rivers' touchdown passes to Gates (33 yards) and Vincent Jackson (14) were big, of course, but so was a 19-yard pass to Eric Parker early in the quarter. It came on second-and-24 and put the Chargers in position to make a first down and continue the drive that resulted in their go-ahead TD.

Key stat: Rivers was 9-for-10 for 135 yards and two TDs on the Chargers' two touchdown drives. He finished the half 17-of-20 for 196 yards and a 120.0 rating.

Not in the box score: LaDainian Tomlinson became the first Charger to win the NFL rushing title with an 8-yard run with 5:05 remaining in the half. That gave him 1,791 yards, 2 more than Kansas City's Larry Johnson. Tomlinson finished with 1,815 yards.

3RD QUARTER: CHARGERS 27, CARDINALS 10

Key play: Dropping back to return a punt for the first time this season, Arizona's Bryant Johnson made two mistakes. First, he tried to catch the ball inside his 10. Second, he muffed the catch. The ball rolled into the end zone, where Tim Dobbins fell on it for a touchdown and a 24-7 Chargers lead.

Key stat: Nate Kaeding's second field goal resulted in his second single-season club record – most points by a kicker (136). Earlier, Kaeding set the mark for most PATs in a season (56, later increased to 58).

Not in the box score: Rivers and Tomlinson left the game for good after Kaeding's field goal gave San Diego a 27-7 lead. Tomlinson finished 11 yards behind the Rams' Steven Jackson in total yards gained from scrimmage this season.

4TH QUARTER: CHARGERS 27, CARDINALS 20

Key plays: Two third-down plays in the final four minutes preserved San Diego's victory. On the first, Shawne Merriman batted down a pass by Kurt Warner on third-and-goal at the 2, forcing Arizona to kick a field goal. On the second, Michael Turner ran for 3 yards on third-and-2 at the Chargers 20, allowing the Chargers to run out the clock rather than punt the ball back to Arizona.

Key stat: The Cardinals gained more yards (444) against the Chargers than any team except Cincinnati (545). After not allowing even 200 yards passing in the six games since Cincinnati, San Diego gave up 346 to Arizona.