Panthers beat Chargers 31-7: Bolts eliminated from playoff picture
DeAngelo Williams #34 of the Carolina Panthers resists a tackle against Antoine Cason #20 of the San Diego Chargers on December 16, 2012 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California.
(Photo courtesy: Donald Miralle / Getty Images)
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Posted: 12/17/2012
Last Updated:
159 days ago
SAN DIEGO - Mike Tolbert scored twice against his former team and DeAngelo Williams turned a tipped pass from Cam Newton into a 45-yard touchdown reception as the Carolina Panthers beat San Diego 31-7 Sunday and eliminated the Chargers from playoff contention for the third straight season.
Carolina (5-9) won consecutive games for the first time since last December.
The Chargers (5-9) clinched their first losing season since 2003, when they were an NFL-worse 4-12. Coach Norv Turner is expected to be fired at season's end, most likely along with general manager A.J. Smith.
The game was played before thousands of empty seats on a dreary, misty afternoon.
Tolbert, who left San Diego as a free agent in March, capped Carolina's first two drives with 1-yard scoring runs. His second TD was set up when Philip Rivers lost a fumble, his 21st turnover this season and 46th in less than two full seasons.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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