Jets Cruise Past the Chargers, 24-3 : AFC: Thomas keeps New York in the wild-card race by running for two touchdowns.

Blair Thomas had heard enough, so he let his performance speak for itself.

Thomas, the New York Jets’ 1990 first-round draft choice, was criticized for his lack of production since a late-game fumble led to the Jets’ overtime loss at Chicago on Sept. 23.

Thomas broke out of a two-month slump Sunday with his first two rushing touchdowns of the season in a 24-3 victory over the San Diego Chargers.

Thomas rushed for 76 yards in 15 carries and scored on touchdown runs of one and 22 yards as the Jets (7-5) remained firmly in the AFC wild-card race. The victory allowed the Jets to surpass their total of last season, Bruce Coslet’s first as coach.

Thomas also eluded the media, leaving the locker room before reporters were allowed in.

“He was aware of what was being said about him,” said guard Dwayne White, a longtime friend and teammate of Thomas’ from his home in Philadelphia and at Penn State. “Everybody knew he would get in step. I never doubted him.”

Said tackle Irv Eatman: “Whatever it was, he shook it off today. He hit the holes faster than I’ve ever seen him hit them.”

Jet quarterback Ken O’Brien completed 16 of 30 passes for 175 yards, including a six-yard touchdown to Rob Moore in the first quarter.

The Jets’ defense yielded its fewest points while ending a two-game win streak by the Chargers (3-9).

“I would be sugarcoating things if I said there was not a little revenge motive in this game,” said defensive tackle Dennis Byrd, noting that San Diego won twice by a combined 77-20 against New York last season. “They handed us our butts last year. We didn’t want to let that happen again.”

O’Brien, coming off consecutive 300-yard passing performances, completed his first six passes as New York took a 14-0 lead.

Mitchell Benson of the Chargers fumbled away the opening kickoff at the San Diego 29. A roughing-the-passer penalty preceded O’Brien’s scoring pass to Moore in the corner of the end zone.

The Jets went 76 yards in seven plays on their next possession. O’Brien audibled and connected with Moore for 30 yards before Thomas covered the final 10 yards in two plays.

Thomas got his second touchdown in the fourth-quarter on a 22-yard run.