SAN DIEGO, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- A 64-yard kickoff return by Charlie Rogers set up Rian Lindell's 54-yard field goal as time expired Sunday, allowing the Seattle Seahawks to keep their playoff hopes alive with a dramatic 25-22 victory over the San Diego Chargers.
Needing a win to still have a chance to join the Super Bowl chase, the Seahawks (8-7) looked like they would need overtime to get it done.
San Diego's Steve Christie kicked a 36-yard field goal with 20 seconds left in regulation, tying the contest at 22-22.
But Rogers fielded Wade Richey's ensuing kickoff and found a seam up the middle. He then cut to his right before finally being pulled down 64 yards later by Ronney Jenkins at the San Diego 36.
Having missed a 48-yard field goal earlier in the game as well as 11 of his 30 attempts during the season, Lindell hit the game-winner with distance to spare.
The Seahawks (8-7) pulled within one game of the New York Jets and Baltimore for the AFC's final playoff berth. Seattle could make the playoffs with a win in next week's season finale against Kansas City plus a Jets loss at Oakland or a Baltimore loss to Minnesota.
If Seattle had lost this game, both the Jets and Ravens would have wrapped up a playoff berth.
"There is a lot riding on that game, our pride, our season, and our winning streak," Seahawks receiver Darrell Jackson said. "Luckily we're at home. Plus we let one get away last time in Kansas City so we have a little payback now."
With reports circulating that he would soon be fired, San Diego Coach Mike Riley watched his team suffer their ninth straight loss as they concluded a 5-11 season.
As Lindell's field goal split the uprights, replays showed Riley close his eyes in despair on the San Diego sidelines.
Doug Flutie was supportive of Riley when asked if he wanted his coach back, saying, "You guys (the media) seemed to have answered that already. My opinion doesn't count. I love playing for Mike Riley."
Riley said he was not thinking of his future.
"I'm just going to play it out," he said. "I really haven't thought about it so I don't really have a thought on it."
San Diego lost seven games this season by six points or less. Last season, the Chargers also lost six games by three points or fewer en route to a franchise-worst 1-15 record.
"This just typifies the season," Flutie said. "Guys made a lot of big plays. They made the plays they had to get back in it. They (Seattle) broke a return. Murphy's Law I guess."
Seattle's Trent Dilfer, back in as the starter in place of the injured Matt Hasselbeck, completed 14 of 23 passes for 267 yards and three touchdowns.
"I believe in people making plays if you give them a chance to and it took me a few years in this league to learn that," Dilfer said. "I had guys early on in my career that could make plays and I didn't give them a chance and as I played longer I realized that they are for there for a reason and they can go and make plays."
Dilfer is 3-0 as the starter this season and has won 14 straight starts, including playoffs dating to last season when he led the Baltimore Ravens to the Super Bowl title.
One of Dilfer's scores was a 37-yard touchdown pass to James Williams with 6:21 left in the third quarter. He found tight end Christian Fauria with the conversion, giving the Seahawks a 22-16 advantage.
A second-year receiver out of Marshall, Williams had four catches for 101 yards. He had five for 87 yards in seven previous games this season.
But behind Flutie, the Chargers were able to rally later in the fourth quarter.
Flutie accounted for 55 yards passing, including a 31-yard connection to Trevor Gaylor, on a nine-play, 61-yard march. But the drive stalled and Christie kicked a 41-yard field goal with 10:11 remaining.
Known for his fourth-quarter comebacks, Flutie led the Chargers 44 yards in 12 plays, setting up Christie's field goal that tied the contest with 16 seconds left.
Flutie, who is under contract for next season but could become a salary cap casualty, completed 34 of 53 passes for a season-high 377 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.
Curtis Conway caught 11 passes for 156 yards, including a four-yard touchdown in the first quarter that opened the scoring.
Rookie LaDainian Tomlinson added 10 catches for 68 yards. He rushed for 38 yards, finishing with 1,236 on the season.
Christie hit the the first of his five field goals, a 32-yarder with 4:39 left in the opening quarter, extending the Chargers' lead to 10-0.
Signed last month to replace the ineffective Richey on field goals, Christie converted again -- this time from 25 yards early in the second quarter to push the lead to 13.
But Dilfer, who has not started since Oct. 14 against Denver, finally got the Seahawks moving before the half.
With 12:01 left in the half, Dilfer found Darrell Jackson with a 43-yard touchdown pass, getting Seattle on the board.
Just under five minutes later, the Dilfer found Jackson with a 48-yard touchdown pass, giving the Seahawks a 14-13 lead. Jackson had five catches for 114 yards.
"Same call and same play," Jackson said. "There were two great throws with right timing in the game to just get open. The coach had to make the call and Trent (Dilfer) had to make the throw."
Christie gave the Chargers a 16-14 lead 5:27 into the fourth quarter, connecting on 40-yard field goal.
