Rivers in full flow

San Diego quarterback inspires fightback

San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers led the way as the Chargers overcame an early wobble to rout the Jacksonville Jaguars 38-14 in Florida.

Despite the visitors taking a 10-0 first-quarter lead, two quick scored from the Jaguars saw them open up a four-point advantage.

However, with Rivers throwing for 294 yards and three touchdowns, the Chargers hit back to move to 5-7 for the season.

It has been a mixed season so far for Rivers, with the quarterback topping the league in interceptions and turnovers.

However the 29-year-old completed 22 of 28 passes as he picked off the Jacksonville defence.

Mike Tolbert’s touchdown and Nick Novak’s field goal had put the Chargers in a commanding position early on but Maurice Jones-Drew’s five-yard run and a short toss from Blaine Gabbert to Cecil Shorts gave the Jaguars the lead.

Reeling

Having lost their previous two games and replaced coach Jack Del Rio with defensive coordinator Mel Tucker on an interim basis, the Jaguars must have hoped they had finally turned the corner.

However the loss of safety Dwight Lowery and defensive end John Chick – and the resurgence of Rivers – left them reeling.

Rivers connected with Vincent Brown with a 22-yeard touchdown pass to restore San Diego’s lead, before he benefited from a Jacksonville turnover – after Gabbert was intercepted – to find Vincent Jackson with a 35-yard TD pass just before half-time.

Rivers put the result beyond doubt after the break with a 52-yard pass to Malcom Floyd, who had missed the previous six games with a hip injury, for another touchdown.

Ryan Mathews then ran in from 31 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter to send many Jacksonville fans heading for the exits.

Jacksonville now drop to 3-9 for the season.