San Diego Charging Toward the Playoffs : Interconference: Turnovers play key role in come-from-behind, 27-21 victory over Cardinals.

The San Diego Chargers took dead aim at the playoffs Sunday after a come-from-behind, 27-21 victory over the Phoenix Cardinals on Sunday.

“This is a game we’ve got to have,” said quarterback Stan Humphries, who completed 20 of 32 passes for 275 yards and one touchdown. “You’ve got to win football games like this going into the playoffs.

“Hopefully, this kind of put a shock treatment to us.”

The victory left the Chargers (8-5) still in the running to become the first team to start 0-4 and make the playoffs. It was the fourth consecutive victory for the Chargers, who have won eight of nine, and the fourth consecutive loss for Cardinals (3-10).

The Cardinals dominated the Chargers during the first half, outgaining them, 212 yards to 119, and leading, 21-10, midway through the third quarter.

But Phoenix was undone by two interceptions and three lost fumbles.

Two take-aways involving cornerback Gill Byrd ended Phoenix drives during the fourth quarter. Byrd recovered a fumble, which led to a 63-yard drive for the winning touchdown, and forced another with 5:41 to play, ending the Cardinals’ last serious threat.

“I thought Gill Byrd played one of his best games,” first-year Coach Bobby Ross said.

“I figured he (Chris Chandler) was going to throw it to Ricky (Proehl), because he was open, so I tried to squeeze in,” Byrd said of the last turnover. “I just got there when he was trying to get the ball and tuck it in. I went after the ball, and fortunately for me, it came out.”

He said the Chargers were flat during the first quarter, when they fell behind 14-0.

But after Chandler made the score 21-10 with a 63-yard pass play to Proehl, Humphries put some spark back into the Chargers.

On consecutive plays, he passed to Eric Bieniemy for a 25-yard gain and then connected with Anthony Miller for 26 yards to the Phoenix five-yard line. Bieniemy capped the short drive with a five-yard run, making the score 21-17 with 43 seconds to play in the third quarter.

The Chargers put the game away with a nine-play, 63-yard drive. After a 12-yard pass to Brian Brennan was nullified by a holding penalty, Humphries hooked up with Nate Lewis for 46 yards to the Phoenix one. Ronnie Harmon scored on the next play.