Garrard Returns to Lead Jaguars Past Chargers

Jacksonville 24, San Diego 17

Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Reggie Williams, right, makes a second-quarter touchdown reception in front of San Diego Chargers defender Clinton Hart during a National Football League game, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2007, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phil Coale) (Phil Coale - AP)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jacksonville Jaguars got a big boost from David Garrard's return. Playing for the first time in nearly a month, Garrard threw two touchdown passes to help the Jaguars beat the San Diego Chargers 24-17 Sunday.

Jacksonville (7-3) scored on its first three possessions, possibly taking advantage of what would have been an 10 a.m. start on the West Coast, and the Chargers (5-5) self-destructed on nearly every drive.

San Diego ended three consecutive fourth-quarter possessions in questionable fashion before making a game of it late. Philip Rivers connected with All-Pro tight end Antonio Gates for a 24-yard touchdown that made it 24-17 with 5:06 to play.

The score followed a 15-yard penalty on rookie safety Reggie Nelson for leading with his helmet. Replays, though, showed Nelson actually tackled Chris Chambers with his right shoulder. Nonetheless, the result was a 35-yard gain that set up Rivers' TD pass.

The Chargers got the ball back with 2:13 remaining. But Rivers' second pass was intercepted by Sammy Knight near midfield.

The Jaguars ran out the clock from there.

San Diego had other chances in the final quarter but came up short following some strange calls.

Fullback Lorenzo Neal got the ball on a third-and-1 play, and he was stopped for no gain. Facing a fourth-and-2 on the following drive, running back LaDainian Tomlinson started right and looked to throw deep to Gates. He ended up losing yards.

Rivers had his first interception on the next possession, overthrowing everyone except Nelson on a third-and-21 play.

Rivers finished 22-of-40 for 309 yards, with a touchdown and two interceptions.

Tomlinson, who needed 91 yards rushing to becoming the 22nd player in NFL history with 10,000 yards on the ground, finished with 62 and a touchdown.

The league's reigning MVP also caught five passes for 93 yards.