The Chargers gave their fans a lot to cheer about, scoring 35 points in a span of 18 minutes, 18 seconds in the first half.

Gates had TD catches of 49 and 31 yards.

Cromartie’s first TD came when Bryan Pittman snapped the ball over punter Matt Turk’s head and it rolled into the end zone. Turk stumbled trying to recover and Cromartie jumped on it for a 14-0 lead. It was the first NFL TD for the second-year pro, who was San Diego’s first-round draft pick in 2006.

Turk bolted from the locker room afterward, telling reporters, “Bye guys.”

“It’s a nightmare for a specialist like myself,” Pittman said. “It did have velocity, but not when it’s 10 feet in the air like that.”

Cromartie came up big again when he picked off a pass that was tipped by Merriman. Cromartie stayed on his feet, worked his way across the field and finished off his TD run down the left sideline.

Cromartie intercepted Schaub again just five plays later. That set up Rivers’ 14-yard touchdown pass to Chris Chambers, the wide receiver’s first score since joining the Chargers in a bye-week trade with Miami.

Schaub was leveled by linebacker Stephen Cooper, who was called for two personal fouls, a hit to the head and unnecessary roughness. The first penalty was declined. Schaub was replaced the next series by Sage Rosenfels. Rosenfels threw a 28-yard TD pass to Joel Dresseen in the fourth quarter.

Notes: With his family out of town, Rivers donated the seats in his luxury box to families and relatives of four state firefighters who injured doing their jobs. ... Chargers LB Shaun Phillips strained his groin and cornerback Quentin Jammer hurt his right hamstring.

NFL game stories Quick look at Week 4 games STEELERS 23, RAVENS 20, OT: Baltimore loses first game of season REDSKINS 26, COWBOYS 24: Dallas can't contain Portis in 1st loss BEARS 24, EAGLES 20: Goal-line stand boosts Chicago JETS 56, CARDINALS 35: Favre throws career-high 6 TDs BUCS 30, PACKERS 21: Ryan's 3 FGs lift Tampa CHARGERS 28, RAIDERS 18: San Diego tops rival 10th straight time BILLS 31, RAMS 14: Buffalo 4-0 for first time since 1992 CHIEFS 33, BRONCOS 19: Johnson rushes for 198 yards for K.C. BROWNS 20, BENGALS 12: Anderson throws TD TITANS 30, VIKINGS 17: Tennessee 4-0 for first time ever PANTHERS 24, FALCONS 9: Smith honors Lucas after TD JAGUARS 30, TEXANS 27, OT: Scobey kicks game winner SAINTS 31, 49ERS 17: McAlister scores first TD of year

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