Chargers rout Jets for 1st win of season

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(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-09-24 11:41

NEW YORK -- Philip Rivers threw for three touchdowns and LaDainian Tomlinson rushed for two more to lift the San Diego Chargers to a 48-29 rout of the New York Jets on Monday.

The Chargers (1-2) rebounded from two losses to score 31 first-half points and send the Jets to their second loss in three games under new quarterback Brett Favre.

Rivers was 19-for-25 for 250 yards and after an early interception by David Barrett was returned for a touchdown to put the Jets 7-0 ahead, he took control to stake the Chargers to a 31-14 halftime lead.

"We needed to win a game," Rivers told reporters. "I think you saw what this team can do and the big plays we can make."

Tomlinson had two 2-yard TD runs, his first two of the season, and ran for 67 yards on 26 carries as he continues his recovery from a toe injury.

He was also relieved that the Chargers, one of the Super Bowl favorites, got their first win.

"If we lost this game we go 0-3 and I don't know what's going to happen," Tomlinson said. "For us to get that first win, there is a sigh of relief."

Favre wound up 30-for-42 for 271 yards and threw for three touchdowns but was intercepted twice and sacked four times. The Jets scored 15 points in the final quarter but never got within two touchdowns of the lead in the second half.

"They were very active defensively. This ruffled us a little bit protection-wise," Favre said. "I thought they schemed very good."

The veteran quarterback rolled his ankle in the third quarter and was limping after the game but he does not think the injury is serious.

New York led 7-3 late in the first quarter but San Diego hit back with three quick touchdowns, including one on Antonio Cromartie's 52-yard interception off Favre.