Valley News – Chargers Defeat Chiefs in Final Seconds

Kansas City, Mo. — Philip Rivers led the Chargers to a pair of touchdowns in the final minutes, then hit Mike Williams for the go-ahead 2-point conversion with 4 seconds remaining to give Los Angeles a 29-28 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday night.

The Chargers (11-3) trailed 28-14 before Justin Jackson scored with 3:49 to go, then forced Patrick Mahomes and Co. into a quick punt. Rivers went right back to work, throwing a fourth-down dart to Travis Benjamin and getting some help from a questionable pass-interference penalty on their final drive.

The flag on Kendall Fuller gave the Chargers first-and-goal at the 1 with 8 seconds to go, and Williams hauled in a juggling catch along the sideline. And faced with an extra-point for overtime, coach Anthony Lynn went for the win and Williams was all alone in the end zone.

Not only did the Chargers clinch a playoff berth, they forged a first-place tie with the Chiefs (11-3) in the AFC West while ending a nine-game losing streak to their longtime division rivals.

Giants’ Beckham Still Uncertain

East Rutherford, n.j. — New York Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. has had his injured quad examined by a specialist and his status for Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans is uncertain.

Beckham went to The Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan on Thursday and returned to the Giants’ facility after getting the second opinion.

“It was good. We just went in, got it scanned just to see everything and it’s doing much better than it was,” said Beckham, who did not practice on Thursday. “Just taking it a day at a time, that’s really it.”

Beckham was hurt when he was leg whipped on the final play of the Giants’ loss to the Eagles in Philadelphia on Nov. 25. He played against Chicago the following week, but missed last weekend’s game against the Washington Redskins after the quad started bothering him on the Friday before the game.

Beckham said the quad has been getting better, but it just didn’t feel right.He said his status for Sunday is uncertain.

Severity of Wentz’s Back Injury Still Unknown

Philadelphia — Carson Wentz has a back injury. The severity is still not known.

Two people familiar with the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback’s injury confirmed reports that Wentz has a fractured vertebra, but no definitive determination has been made regarding his status, pending further evaluation.

Both people spoke to The Associated Press on Thursday on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss Wentz’s injury.

Wentz sat out practice for the second straight day, increasing the possibility Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles will play at the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night. Wentz wore a red jersey and watched the open portion of practice.

He’s seeking more medical opinions before deciding a course of action.

Foles hasn’t taken a snap in a game since Week 2. He took over in Week 14 last season after Wentz tore two ligaments in his left knee. Foles led Philadelphia to its first NFL title since 1960 and started the first two games this season, going 1-1.

McCoy Returns to Practice

Orchard Park, n.y. — Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy returned to practice on a limited basis on Thursday, a day after being held out because of an injury to his left hamstring.

Coach Sean McDermott said the team will continue evaluating McCoy’s progress before determining whether he can play Sunday, when Buffalo hosts Detroit. McCoy did not return after being hurt during Buffalo’s opening series in a 27-23 loss to the New York Jets last weekend.

Kicker Stephen Hauschka missed his second consecutive day of practice with a hip injury, though McDermott expects him to play. Hauschka was hurt when he was shoved down from behind by Henry Anderson after the Jets defensive lineman blocked a 49-yard field-goal attempt on the final play of the first half.