San Diego— Vincent Jackson had a career-high three touchdown catches, Philip Rivers surpassed 4,000 yards passing for the third straight season and the Chargers beat Alex Smith and the 49ers 34-7 on Thursday night to stay alive in the AFC West race.
San Diego (8-6) pulled within a half-game of division leader Kansas City (8-5), which lost 31-0 at San Diego on Sunday.
Jackson had his first three touchdown grabs of the season, of 58, 11 and 21 yards.
The 49ers are 5-9.
Vikings venue questioned
The prospect of winter football's return to Minnesota sounds great to the NFL.
But it doesn't sound nearly as good to the Vikings and the Chicago Bears, who say the league might be downplaying the injury risk of a rock-hard field at TCF Bank Stadium for Monday night's game.
"The whole season has been talked about — player safety, player safety, player safety," Vikings linebacker Ben Leber said. "And then they're going to say, 'Hey, go play on some concrete and enjoy yourselves.'"
Personnel dept.
Packers wide receiver Donald Driver says he urged Aaron Rodgers to sit out the rest of last weekend's game in Detroit after the quarterback took a pair of hard hits.
Rodgers was later diagnosed with a concussion. His status for Sunday is uncertain.
… The Vikings placed Tarvaris Jackson on injured reserve and signed Patrick Ramsey . Coach Leslie Frazier said he wasn't ready yet to name a starter for Monday's game against the Bears. … Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel was limited in practice and his availability for Sunday's game at St. Louis remained unclear. Cassel underwent an emergency appendectomy Dec. 8.
Kansas City coach Todd Haley says Cassel and backup Brodie Croyle were both being prepared as possible starters against the Rams. …. Rookie quarterback Colt McCoy will start Cleveland's final three games this season. … Cowboys linebacker Anthony Spencer was fined $12,500 by the NFL for knocking helmets with Eagles quarterback Michael Vick .
