Chargers win to get into playoffs

SAN DIEGO -- The mild, mild AFC West belongs to LaDainian Tomlinson, Philip Rivers and the rest of the San Diego Chargers.

With their 52-21 victory over the Denver Broncos on Sunday night, they won the NFL's weakest division with an 8-8 record, becoming the first team to go from 4-8 to the playoffs.

Tomlinson, who didn't return after straining an abdominal muscle in the third quarter, had his first three-touchdown game of the season. Rivers threw his 33rd and 34th touchdown passes to break Hall of Famer Dan Fouts' 1981 team single-season record.

Dolphins 24, Jets 17

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Chad Pennington walked off the field where he spent his first eight NFL seasons, surrounded by cameras and jubilant teammates after leading the Dolphins to an improbable AFC East title.

Vikings 20, Giants 19

MINNEAPOLIS -- Ryan Longwell's 50-yard field goal as the game ended lifted the Vikings to the NFC North title for their first postseason appearance in four years. They face Philadelphia next weekend.

Panthers 33, Saints 31

NEW ORLEANS -- John Kasay's 42-yard field goal with a second left locked up the NFC South title and the second seed in the conference for the Panthers (12-4).

Eagles 44, Cowboys 6

PHILADELPHIA -- The Eagles overcame daunting odds to capture an NFC wild-card spot with a dominating victory.

In a game that become do-or-die for both teams shortly before kickoff when Tampa Bay and Chicago lost, the Eagles (9-6-1) thoroughly outplayed the error-prone Cowboys (9-7).

Ravens 27, Jaguars 7

BALTIMORE -- Le'Ron McClain ran for two touchdowns in the pivotal first half as he and the Ravens routed the Jaguars.

Texans 31, Bears 24

HOUSTON -- The Bears' playoff chances ended against a team long eliminated from postseason contention. Andre Johnson had two touchdowns for the Texans, who finished 8-8 for the second straight year.

Raiders 31, Buccaneers 24

TAMPA, Fla. -- Oakland third-stringer Michael Bush rushed for a career-high 177 yards and scored on a 67-yard fourth-quarter jaunt that helped the Raiders rally to end the Buccaneers' season.

Patriots 13, Bills 0

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- A nasty wind strong enough to tilt the goal posts was no match for Matt Cassel and the Patriots.

LaMont Jordan scored on a 2-yard run set up by Cassel's 12-yard completion into the wind on fourth down, and Stephen Gostkowski hit a pair of field goals.

Steelers 31, Browns 0

PITTSBURGH -- Ben Roethlisberger gave the playoff-bound Steelers a major scare by sustaining a concussion during an essentially meaningless victory over the embarrassed Browns that likely was Romeo Crennel's last as Cleveland's coach.

49ers 27, Redskins 24

SAN FRANCISCO -- The 49ers followed Joe Nedney's game-ending field goal with an even bigger bang, swiftly confirming that coach Mike Singletary will be back next year.

Cardinals 34, Seahawks 21

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald sent the Cardinals into the playoffs as winners. Warner threw four touchdown passes, his most in seven years, then sat out the fourth quarter as the Cardinals spoiled the final game of Mike Holmgren's decade as Seahawks coach.

Colts 23, Titans 0

INDIANAPOLIS -- Indianapolis got those pesky milestones out of the way quickly, yanked its starters early and still managed to win its ninth straight, beating the AFC South champion. It marked the sixth straight season Indy has won at least 12 games, and that wasn't the only big achievement for the Colts.

Bengals 16, Chiefs 6

CINCINNATI -- Cedric Benson ran for 111 yards and a touchdown, putting a little bite into the Bengals' depleted offense, and Cincinnati completed its late-season surge.

-- Associated Press