Chargers lay an egg against Dolphins

SAN DIEGO – The San Diego Chargers must have been looking ahead to their game against Indianapolis, because they sure weren’t paying enough attention to the Miami Dolphins.

Gus Frerotte threw two touchdown passes to Chris Chambers in the third quarter and the Dolphins shocked San Diego 23-21 on Sunday, ending the Chargers’ five-game winning streak and severely damaging their playoff hopes.

The Dolphins won their third straight and remained alive for the AFC East title. Their victory kept the two-time defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots from clinching the division.

This was the most winnable of the last four games for the defending AFC West champion Chargers, who came into the day tied for second in the division with Kansas City, one game behind Denver. The Chargers’ next two games are on the road, at undefeated Indianapolis and Kansas City, before they finish at home against Denver.

Antonio Gates caught an 8-yard TD pass from Drew Brees with 15 seconds left, but the Dolphins recovered the onside kick.

Chambers had eight catches for 121 yards against San Diego. Frerotte was 14 of 22 for 229 yards.

The Dolphins held LaDainian Tomlinson to 75 yards on 21 carries and no TDs. Brees was 35 of 52 for 279 yards and two TDs, with one interception.

After a lackluster first half by both teams, the Dolphins took control in the third quarter.

Frerotte’s 35-yard pass to Chambers put the Dolphins ahead 20-7 with 3:26 left in the quarter, capping a six-play, 87-yard drive.

San Diego closed to 20-14 with 10:34 left when Brees scored on a 4-yard quarterback draw.