Redskins see Chargers' best only briefly

Because the Chargers were already assured of the second seed in the AFC playoffs -- and therefore a bye in the first round and a home game in two weeks -- Coach Norv Turner decided to play his regulars only sparingly. Quarterback Philip Rivers played the first quarter and led San Diego to a 10-0 lead -- hitting on 9 of 15 passes for 99 yards and a touchdown -- before heading to the bench. He was replaced by Billy Volek.

"It's a little different," Rivers said. "You go into the preseason and you know the plan there, then you play 15 games and you're not over there [on the sideline] at all. It was good. We went out to win the game, which we did. Any time you can win the game and have that many guys involved, it truly is a team win."

Featured running backs LaDainian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles combined to carry the ball just four times for the Chargers, gaining 19 yards. Volek finished 19 of 30 for 216 yards and one touchdown -- the game-winner to fullback Mike Tolbert with 35 seconds left.

"We were healthy, which was critical to me," Turner said. "You drive the ball twice and get done what you want to get don. ... I thought we got the things accomplished that I wanted to get accomplished."