FIRST QUARTER

CHARGERS 7, PACKERS 3

Key plays: More than usual for an opening quarter – the Chargers stopped the Packers on fourth down but only because the officials missed an obvious pass interference penalty on Drayton Florence; Philip Rivers hit Vincent Jackson with a 27-yard TD pass to cap a 60-yard drive that included a key completion to Antonio Gates; Marlon McCree was penalized for unnecessary roughness after a third-down incompletion, and Antonio Cromartie (interception) and Bubba Franks (TD) dropped passes in the end zone, allowing the Packers to kick a field goal.

Key stat: While LaDainian Tomlinson was limited to 20 yards on six carries, Rivers completed all five of his passes for 43 yards and a TD.

Not in the box score: There was nothing frozen about the tundra this day. Temperature at game time was 73, and it was difficult to see more than a couple of clouds in the sky.

SECOND QUARTER

PACKERS 17, CHARGERS 14

Key plays: After Donald Driver raced 46 yards with a third-and-10 pass, Brett Favre almost cost the Packers a score when the ball slipped out of his hand as he attempted a pump fake and the Chargers fell on it. But, after a challenge, the call was changed to an incomplete pass and Favre threw his second TD pass on the next play. The Chargers rallied with a late TD on a 9-yard pass from Rivers to Buster Davis, the rookie's first NFL score.

Key stat: Tomlinson gained 3 yards on four carries in the quarter, but Rivers was 11-of-12 for 116 yards and a TD. His only incompletion – which came after 15 straight completions – was intentional. Gates accounted for more than half of Rivers' completions (nine) and yards (91) in the half.

Not in the box score: Chargers defensive end Luis Castillo left with a foot injury and did not return until the fourth quarter.

THIRD QUARTER

CHARGERS 21, PACKERS 17

Key plays: The Chargers nearly went three-and-out on the first possession of the half, but on third-and-13, Rivers flung a pass down the right sideline and Malcom Floyd made a great adjustment to grab the ball for a 25-yard gain. Gates also made a nice catch to convert a third-and-3 and keep alive the drive, which ended with a 20-yard screen pass to Tomlinson for a TD.

Key stat: Rivers and Favre each had 21 completions for almost identical yardage (Favre 236, Rivers 232), but Rivers had one more TD (3-2) and eight fewer attempts (33-25).

Not in the box score: After the Chargers were forced to punt late in the quarter, Rivers and Tomlinson were jawing at each other on the sideline before Gates came in between them and Tomlinson went and sat on the bench.

FOURTH QUARTER

PACKERS 31, CHARGERS 24

Key plays: The Chargers appeared as if they might escape with a win when the Packers failed to score despite first-and-goal at the 1. But after making one first down, Rivers missed an open Jackson on third-and-3 and the Chargers had to punt. Green Bay needed just two plays to take the lead, with Greg Jennings eluding Cromartie and taking a Favre pass 57 yards for a touchdown. San Diego had one more chance, but Rivers was intercepted by Nick Barnett with 72 seconds to play.

Key stat: Rivers' interception was the Chargers' only turnover, but that was one more than the defense forced.

Not in the box score: Even though Gates had 11 receptions for 113 yards, he was used as a blocker on the third-down play on which Rivers failed to connect with Jackson.