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Kaeding's kick sends Chargers into playoffs
Source: Agencies |
December 22, 2009, Tuesday
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THE San Diego Chargers clinched the AFC West title on Sunday after Nate Kaeding kicked a 52-yard field goal in the closing seconds to beat the heart-broken Cincinnati Bengals 27-24.
With the scores level at 24-24, Kaeding hit the winning kick with three seconds left after Philip Rivers, who passed for three touchdowns and 308 yards, moved San Diego from its own 20-yard line to the Cincinnati 34 in the final minute.
"It's a great job by our offensive football team using every second of the clock and getting Nate a chance," Chargers coach Norv Turner told reporters after their ninth consecutive win. The victory, coupled with the Denver Broncos' loss to the Oakland Raiders, gave the Chargers (11-3) their fourth AFC West title in a row.
It was a second consecutive missed opportunity by Cincinnati (9-5) to claim the AFC North title and a postseason spot.
The Bengals, playing their first game since the death of wide receiver Chris Henry on Thursday, had tied the score with 57 seconds to go on a Shayne Graham field goal before Kaeding responded.
"It was sort of like an empty feeling and I think a lot of people don't understand," said the Bengals' Chad Ochocinco, who kneeled and said a prayer after scoring a 49-yard touchdown on a pass from Carson Palmer in the second quarter.
Henry, 26, died in Charlotte, North Carolina from injuries suffered in a fall from a pickup truck after a "domestic situation" with his fiancee, police said.
"It's hard when you have somebody like that who you take under your wing for five years," said Ochocinco, who had considered wearing Henry's jersey in the game. "He was like a brother."
In Pittsburgh, Ben Roethlisberger threw a 19-yard touchdown pass on the final play that ended the Packers' five-game winning streak and the Steelers' five-game losing streak. Steelers won 37-36.
In Nashville, Rob Bironas kicked a 46-yard field goal in overtime as Tennessee kept alive its slim playoff hopes for another week by holding off Miami 27-24.
Vince Young threw for a career-high three touchdowns and Chris Johnson ran for 104 yards as the Titans, with seven wins and seven losses, reached .500 for the first time this year.
In other action, it was: Panthers 26, Vikings 7; Browns 41, Chiefs 34; Patriots 17, Bills 10; Eagles 27, 49ers 13; Cardinals 31, Lions 24; Raiders 20, Broncos 19; Ravens 31, Bears 7; Falcons 10, Jets 7; Texans 16, Rams 13; and Buccaneers 24, Seahawks 7.
With the scores level at 24-24, Kaeding hit the winning kick with three seconds left after Philip Rivers, who passed for three touchdowns and 308 yards, moved San Diego from its own 20-yard line to the Cincinnati 34 in the final minute.
"It's a great job by our offensive football team using every second of the clock and getting Nate a chance," Chargers coach Norv Turner told reporters after their ninth consecutive win. The victory, coupled with the Denver Broncos' loss to the Oakland Raiders, gave the Chargers (11-3) their fourth AFC West title in a row.
It was a second consecutive missed opportunity by Cincinnati (9-5) to claim the AFC North title and a postseason spot.
The Bengals, playing their first game since the death of wide receiver Chris Henry on Thursday, had tied the score with 57 seconds to go on a Shayne Graham field goal before Kaeding responded.
"It was sort of like an empty feeling and I think a lot of people don't understand," said the Bengals' Chad Ochocinco, who kneeled and said a prayer after scoring a 49-yard touchdown on a pass from Carson Palmer in the second quarter.
Henry, 26, died in Charlotte, North Carolina from injuries suffered in a fall from a pickup truck after a "domestic situation" with his fiancee, police said.
"It's hard when you have somebody like that who you take under your wing for five years," said Ochocinco, who had considered wearing Henry's jersey in the game. "He was like a brother."
In Pittsburgh, Ben Roethlisberger threw a 19-yard touchdown pass on the final play that ended the Packers' five-game winning streak and the Steelers' five-game losing streak. Steelers won 37-36.
In Nashville, Rob Bironas kicked a 46-yard field goal in overtime as Tennessee kept alive its slim playoff hopes for another week by holding off Miami 27-24.
Vince Young threw for a career-high three touchdowns and Chris Johnson ran for 104 yards as the Titans, with seven wins and seven losses, reached .500 for the first time this year.
In other action, it was: Panthers 26, Vikings 7; Browns 41, Chiefs 34; Patriots 17, Bills 10; Eagles 27, 49ers 13; Cardinals 31, Lions 24; Raiders 20, Broncos 19; Ravens 31, Bears 7; Falcons 10, Jets 7; Texans 16, Rams 13; and Buccaneers 24, Seahawks 7.
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