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Surging Bucs Beat Chargers 34-24 for Third in Row
Sunday, Nov 11, 2012 | Updated 3:53 PM PDT
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TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 11: Tight end Antonio Gates #85 of the San Diego Chargers grabs a midfield pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers November 11, 2012 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
Josh Freeman threw two touchdown passes and the surging Buccaneers scored on a blocked punt and Leonard Johnson's 83-yard interception return to beat the Chargers 34-24 for their third straight win Sunday.
Freeman has thrown for 13 TDs with one interception in his past five games, helping the Bucs (5-4) win four times to climb back over .500 following a 1-3 start.
Philip Rivers threw for 337 yards and three touchdowns for San Diego. He was intercepted twice in the fourth quarter to ruin any chance of the Chargers (4-5) coming from behind.
Bucs linebacker Quincy Black was carted off the field after tackling running back Ryan Matthews for a 1-yard loss late in the third quarter. There was no immediate announcement on the nature of the injury however trainers examined the sixth-year pro for several minutes before immobilizing his neck and back and strapping him to a stretcher.
