Chargers Have Means, Not Ways : Interconference: Running back’s fifth consecutive 100-yard game doesn’t offset lack of touchdowns in 10-9 loss to the Falcons.

Not even Natrone Means’ fifth consecutive 100-yard game was enough to save the San Diego Chargers.

The Chargers failed to score a touchdown for the second time in three weeks, settling for three John Carney field goals in a 10-9 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

“We had a ton of mistakes,” said Charger Coach Bobby Ross.

Even the winning coach was unhappy.

“I’m embarrassed about how we played offensively, but at least we won,” said Falcon Coach June Jones, who watched his offense sputter after a 91-yard touchdown drive on the opening possession.

The Chargers (7-2), with Gale Gilbert starting for the injured Stan Humphries, thought they had a touchdown in the third quarter with the score 7-3, but Gilbert’s short completion into the end zone was nullified by an offensive interference penalty on Duane Young.

Means finished with 102 yards in 25 carries.

Three weeks ago, San Diego dropped a 20-15 decision to the Denver Broncos, with Carney accounting for all the Chargers’ points.

On Sunday, Carney extended his field-goal streak to 21, but missed a 47-yard attempt that sailed wide right with 8:01 to play.

“The only thought I had is that I wish I had it back,” Carney said of his miss. “That’s it. No distractions. No excuses. Just pushed it. That’s all.”

After Carney’s second field goal cut the lead to 7-6, Norm Johnson kicked a 23-yard field goal that put the Falcons ahead after three quarters, 10-6.

The Chargers had driven from the 22 to the Atlanta two with the second-half kickoff, only to see Means dropped for a three-yard loss by Moe Gardner and Jessie Tuggle one play before Gilbert hit Alfred Pupunu for an apparent five-yard touchdown.

When the play was nullified by Young’s penalty, Gilbert threw incomplete on third down and had to settle for Carney’s second field goal.

The Falcons (5-4) were sharp on only their opening series.

After being set back by a holding penalty on Darryl Ford on the opening kickoff, George led a 13-play, 91-yard touchdown drive in which he completed seven of nine passes for 71 yards, including a nine-yard touchdown pass to Terance Mathis 7:15 into the game.

Ironhead Heyward also contributed to the drive with runs of one, eight and 12 yards and had another 12 on a shovel pass from George.

Mathis caught George’s pass, broke a tackle at the five and rammed through two defenders before falling in for the touchdown.

Gilbert, in his first NFL start since 1986, completed 22 of 38 passes for 207 yards.