National Football League

Bengals knock out Chargers

Published Dec. 27, 2010 12:48 p.m. ET

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This big chill isn't going to ease anytime soon.

The NFL's best team in December couldn't handle its first snowy afternoon. The Chargers dressed for warmups like it was a day at the beach, then froze up the first time they touched the ball. With everything at stake, they went slip-sliding right out of contention.

Carson Palmer was nearly perfect in the swirling snow - four touchdowns, no interceptions - in the Cincinnati Bengals' 34-20 win on Sunday that ended the Chargers' streak of four straight years in the playoffs as AFC West champs.

''It's tough anytime you're eliminated from a chance of playing for the postseason,'' said quarterback Philip Rivers, who had an ordinary game in his usually superlative month. ''It's something I haven't dealt with since I've been playing here. This was the final straw.''

The Chargers (8-7) knew they had to win to stay a game behind Kansas City (10-5), which beat Tennessee earlier Sunday. A loss would knock them out of contention and give the Chiefs the title.

San Diego had won 20 of its last 21 games in December, though most of those came in favorable climates or domed stadiums. Playing their coldest game in nearly three years, the Chargers froze and cracked.

''Words can't really explain how we feel right now,'' safety Eric Weddle said. ''Our season is done. It's probably the worst feeling you can have.''

The Bengals (4-11) are ending one of their worst seasons with telling satisfying moments.

Palmer, a Southern California kid, led them to their second straight win with a cast of reserve receivers. His 59-yard touchdown to Jerome Simpson - playing in place of the injured Chad Ochocinco - highlighted a 21-point fourth quarter against the league's top-ranked defense.

Palmer finished with a career-best passer rating of 157.2, just shy of a perfect 158.3. He completed 16 of 21 for 269 yards without an interception.

''That's the finest game that Carson has played here,'' said Marvin Lewis, who may have coached his final game in Cincinnati.

The difference between the teams was stunning.

Several San Diego players came out in blue shorts and sleeveless shirts for pregame warmups on a 29-degree afternoon with blowing snow and a wind chill of 17. Almost as though they were trying to convince themselves the weather wouldn't bother them.

Two plays told them otherwise.

San Diego tried a reverse on its opening play, but receiver Vincent Jackson fumbled the ball backward to the 1-yard line. The series ended with Mike Scifres shanking a 24-yard punt into the wind.

Five plays later, Palmer threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Jermaine Gresham.

Things never got better for the Chargers, who had to settle for a field goal after a first-and-goal from the 1 shortly before halftime. A defense ranked No. 1 in the league gave up three touchdowns in the fourth quarter to an offense missing its top two receivers.

Terrell Owens is recovering from knee surgery and Chad Ochocinco has a bone spur in his left ankle that sidelined him for Sunday's game. With the self-described Batman and Robin gone, backups Jerome Simpson and Andre Caldwell both had big games. Simpson, a second-round pick in 2008, had career highs with six catches for 124 yards and two touchdowns. Caldwell caught four passes for 87 yards.

''They ran great routes and made big plays,'' Palmer said. ''They made some of the biggest plays we've had all season.''

The Chargers headed home still chilled to the bone. Ultimately, they missed out on the playoffs because of a 2-5 start that was left them with no margin for error, no matter what the weather.

''We got to 2-5 this year and turned it on,'' said Rivers, who has the highest December passer rating in NFL history. ''We have the right makeup. We have the right approach. It's just a matter of getting it done.

''It's disappointing. I'm dealing with knowing we're not going to the postseason. It will be tough, but it's reality.''

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