Carney, Defense Lead the Chargers : Interconference: Kicker’s four field goals plus two late interceptions give San Diego a 32-17 victory over Tampa Bay.

John Carney gave San Diego the lead for good, then the Chargers’ defense took over in the last six minutes.

The result was a 32-17 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.

Carney’s fourth field goal, a 45-yarder in a light rain, put the Chargers ahead, 19-17, with 6:17 remaining. Then Duane Young and Natrone Means scored touchdowns that were set up by interceptions as San Diego broke open a close game.

Darrien Gordon’s interception, which appeared to hit the ground before he scooped it up, led to Young’s 12-yard touchdown reception from Stan Humphries, who also completed a 48-yard scoring pass to Anthony Miller in the first half.

Brian Davis picked off a tipped pass at the Buccaneers’ 17 to set up Means’ 15-yard touchdown run with less than two minutes to play.

San Diego (8-8) finished the season with a two-game winning streak. Tampa Bay (5-11) was 3-4 in its last seven games.

San Diego, which scored on seven of its first nine possessions en route to a 45-20 victory over Miami last week, built a 10-0 lead on Carney’s 48-yard field goal and Humphries’ touchdown pass to Miller, who accelerated behind Tampa Bay defender Ricky Reynolds to make the catch in the end zone.

The Buccaneers slowed down the Chargers, taking the ball and holding it for the next 10:33 before Michael Husted’s 21-yard field goal at the end of a 19-play, 84-yard drive.

The extended stay on the sideline seemed to take something out of the San Diego offense, which gained 124 yards on its first two possessions. Even after Darren Carrington’s 28-yard interception return to the Buccaneers’ 17 late in the second quarter, the Chargers had trouble moving the ball.

Carney kicked a 38-yard field goal for a 13-3 halftime lead.

Craig Erickson completed only nine of 23 passes in the first two quarters, but regrouped and returned to hit nine of his first 10 after halftime, including a 20-yard touchdown pass to Lamar Thomas. The Buccaneers’ scoring drive began at their 36, where the Chargers’ John Kidd was smothered for a 10-yard loss on a fake field goal.