Lions 38, Chargers 10
Matt Stafford threw for 373 yards and three touchdowns as the Detroit Lions locked up their first playoff berth since 1999 with a 38-10 victory over the visiting San Diego Chargers on Saturday.
Calvin Johnson caught four passes for 102 yards and a score and Brandon Pettigrew added nine catches for 80 yards and a touchdown for the Lions (10-5), who locked up at least the No. 6 seed in the NFC.
The Chargers (7-8) were eliminated from postseason contention after falling one game behind the Denver Broncos (8-7) and Oakland Raiders (8-7) in the AFC West. San Diego closes its regular season at Oakland next week.
Detroit, which has surged to three straight wins, made quick work of the Chargers on Saturday, taking a 24-0 lead into the half. The Lions scored on each of their first four possessions, with Stafford and Pettigrew capping the opening drive with a 7-yard touchdown pass.
Kevin Smith caught a 3-yard scoring pass and Johnson grabbed a 14-yard touchdown just before the half.
The Chargers made a brief comeback, pulling within 24-10 in the third quarter, but the Lions regrouped. Smith rushed in for a 6-yard score and Cliff Avril capped it with a 4-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Philip Rivers went 28 of 53 for 299 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions for San Diego.