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Chargers ride past Colts, 23-17
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The San Diego Chargers did something special Saturday evening, bringing home one of the biggest wins in franchise history.
With just about every seat taken in the stands and in the press box, we all witnessed something that seemed like a faint hope with only minutes remaining in the game.
Nate Kaeding kicked a 26-yard game-tying field goal, then Darren Sproles won it some six minutes into overtime on a 22-yard scamper, as the Chargers upset the Indianapolis Colts 23-17 in an AFC Wild Card Playoff at Qualcomm Stadium.
Indianapolis, which had won nine straight games, looked to run out the clock, but QB Peyton Manning was sacked by defender Tim Dobbins on a third down play at his own 1 yard line, forcing the Colts to give up the ball with less than three minutes remaining in regulation.
For a team that was left for dead at 4-8 only a month ago, the Chargers have now won five straight heading into next weekend's AFC Divisional Playoff at second-seeded Pittsburgh (Sunday, 1:30 PST).
Along with a great effort from Sproles, who rushed for 105 yards as star back LaDainian Tomlinson was hampered with a groin injury, was the effort of punter Mike Scifres, who six times pinned the Colts inside their own 20 yard line.
The Chargers were also the beneficiaries of several penalties called on the Colts defense in the extra session. While the Chargers worked their way down the field trying to get into field goal position for Kaeding to win it, Sproles broke off the 22-yard run, escaping the last line of defense at the 5 yard line.
Sproles could have given the Chargers another TD earlier in the game, but fumbled on his way into the end zone. The little star out of Kansas State more than made up for that miscue in overtime.
While there is no guarantee that the Chargers are headed to Tampa and the Super Bowl on Feb. 1, a win like this may be the start of something special.
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