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Chiefs vs. Chargers 2013 recap: San Diego uses comeback, trickery to win playoff berth

Philip Rivers threw three touchdowns as the Chargers won the final spot in the AFC playoffs.

It seemed like it was nearly wrapped up several times, but the San Diego Chargers pulled off the unthinkable and completed a comeback against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. The Chargers earned the final AFC playoff spot, beating the Chiefs 27-24 in overtime. Though the Chiefs benched almost all of their starters, Kansas City led by 10 points early in the fourth quarter and appeared to be on the verge of ending San Diego's season.

Instead, the Chargers scored 10 unanswered points in the fourth quarter and the Chiefs' Ryan Succop missed a would-be game-winning field goal at the end of regulation. San Diego head coach Mike McCoy used a fake punt in overtime on the Chargers' final offensive drive before Nick Novak hit a 36-yard field goal to give San Diego the lead. The defense managed to keep Chase Daniel and the Chiefs from scoring again, and San Diego is going to the postseason.

The Chargers finish 9-7 and will be the No. 6 seed in the playoffs, heading to Cincinnati to face the Bengals in the first round. The Chiefs already knew that they would be the No. 5 seed, and they will face the Colts in Indianapolis.

Fantasy Studs and Duds

Philip Rivers threw for 229 yards and three touchdowns in the win, while Ryan Mathews rushed for 144 yards.

Kansas City started Knile Davis at running back in place of Jamaal Charles, and he rushed for 81 yards and two touchdowns.

Did They Cover?

The Chargers were favored by as much as 15.5 points, according to OddsShark.com, so they did not come close to covering. But they got the win, and that’s all that matters to them.

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