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Turner Finally Beats Kansas City

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By DOUG TUCKER The Associated Press

Published: December 3, 2007

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Norv Turner finally found a team that could handle the Kansas City Chiefs. Now, his San Diego Chargers could be ready to run away with the AFC West.

With LaDainian Tomlinson rushing for 177 yards and two touchdowns and the defense getting eight sacks and four turnovers, the Chargers beat Kansas City 24-10 Sunday for their sixth win in eight games. They're beginning to flash the form that made them 14-2 in the 2006 regular season before Marty Schottenheimer got fired after the playoffs.

"I think we have improved as a football team all the way through," said Turner, who beat the Chiefs for the first time in seven tries as a head coach. "I know there were some weeks that it didn't show up."

It was just the second victory in 11 games in Kansas City for San Diego and put the Chargers (7-5) two games ahead in the AFC West.

The Chiefs (4-8) lost their fifth in a row and could be headed for their worst season in about 20 years.

"It is flat-out embarrassing," said tight end Tony Gonzalez, who had 10 catches for 140 yards. "I don't think I've lost five games in a row as a Chief. It's frustrating, because I feel like we're a lot better team than what we're playing right now."

Since the Chiefs beat the Chargers 30-16 and plunged them to 1-3 on Sept. 30 and triggered an outcry against Turner, the Chargers have turned it around.

"We know we control our own destiny, but I wouldn't say we're breathing easier," said quarterback Philip Rivers, who had a 38-yard TD pass to Vincent Jackson. "We're still not pleased at being 7-5. It is certainly better to be where we are than looking up at someone."

KC-FG Carney 38, 10:50.

SD-FG Kaeding 25, 5:24.

Second Quarter

KC-Allen 2 pass from Huard (Carney kick), 5:23.

SD-Jackson 38 pass from Rivers (Kaeding kick), 3:29.

Third Quarter

SD-Tomlinson 31 run (Kaeding kick), 12:16.

Fourth Quarter

SD-Tomlinson 28 run (Kaeding kick), 10:15.

A-74,874.

RUSHING-San Diego, Tomlinson 23-177, Turner 7-16, Rivers 2-(minus 2). Kansas City, K.Smith 21-83, Harris 2-5, Kennison 1-0, Wilson 1-0.

PASSING-San Diego, Rivers 10-21-1-157. K.C., Huard 19-34-2-186, Thigpen 2-6-1-41.

RECEIVING-San Diego, Tomlinson 3-20, Chambers 2-50, Manumaleuna 2-48, Jackson 1-38, Neal 1-2, Gates 1-(minus 1). Kansas City, Gonzalez 10-140, Bowe 5-55, K.Smith 2-1, G.Harris 1-19, Parker 1-7, Webb 1-3, Allen 1-2.

MISSED FIELD GOALS-San Diego, Kaeding 45 (WR).

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