The Chargers moved the ball almost at will much of the day, scoring on three straight possessions to build an early 17-7 lead. Tampa Bay cut into it by driving into San Diego territory and settling for Matt Bryant’s 49-yard field with 17 seconds left in the half.

But Turner wasn’t content with a seven-point advantage. After Sproles returned the ensuing kickoff to the Chargers 36, Rivers threw 25 yards to Vincent Jackson to set up the long field goal that Kaeding nailed with room to spare.

Jackson finished with seven receptions for 111 yards and went over 1,000 yards in a season for the first time in his career for San Diego.

Tampa Bay’s defense was picked apart for the second time in three weeks. After giving up 474 yards rushing in road losses to Carolina and Atlanta, the unit rarely pressured Rivers, who was only sacked once while completing 21 of 31 passes with no interceptions.

“We just never really solved them,” Bucs coach Jon Gruden said. “Obviously, it hurts.”

Gates’ TD receptions gave him eight this season and 51 for his career. He reached 50 in his 92nd game, fastest in league history for a tight end. Jerry Smith was the previous fastest, doing it in 100 games.

Garcia scored on a 7-yard run, finishing a 78-yard drive that take up the first half of the third quarter and trimmed San Diego’s lead to 20-17. He did a nice job of rolling to his right to avoid pressure and finding Bryant all alone on the TD that put the Bucs up 24-20.

“It’s been very disappointing over the past three weeks to play the way we have and not finish games off,” Garcia said.

Notes: Bryant had six catches for 127 yards, his sixth 100-yard game of the year. ... Tomlinson boosted his season rushing total to 1,014 yards. ... Rookie Pro Bowl selection Clifton Smith returned a kickoff 72 yards to set up Tampa Bay’s first TD.

NFL game stories Quick look at Week 9 games STEELERS 28, BRONCOS 10: Roethlisberger throws 3 TDs COWBOYS 20, EAGLES 16: Austin’s TD puts Dallas atop NFC East COLTS 20, TEXANS 17: Indy's 17th-straight regular season win  |    Video SAINTS 30, PANTHERS 20: N.O. now 8-0 for first time in its history CHARGERS 21, GIANTS 20: N.Y. loses 4th straight  |    Video BUCS 38, PACKERS 28: Rookie QB leads Tampa to first win  |    Video PATRIOTS 27, DOLPHINS 17: Brady-Moss connection thrives  |    Video CARDINALS 41, BEARS 21: Warner tosses 5 TDs  |    Video BENGALS 17, RAVENS 7: Cincy cements AFC North status  |    Video FALCONS 31, REDSKINS 17: Atlanta gets into scuffle, still wins TITANS 34, 49ERS 27: Young improves to 2-0 as a starter this year SEAHAWKS 32, LIONS 20: Seattle overcomes 17-0 hole JAGUARS 24, CHIEFS 21: Chargers cast-off Chambers can't save K.C. Byes: Bills, Browns, Raiders, Rams, Vikings, Jets

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