Mistake by Chiefs Fuels Charger Rally : AFC: Montana’s pass glances off Dawson, leading to interception that sets up winning touchdown in 14-13 San Diego victory.

Sometimes when it’s cold and wet, it doesn’t matter who makes the most mistakes. It’s who makes the worst mistake.

The Kansas City Chiefs held Natrone Means to 55 yards in 21 carries. They forced a swarm of San Diego turnovers. But the most critical error on a gray day turned out to be the last, and the Chargers (8-2) were grateful for a 14-13 victory Sunday that put them two games ahead of the Chiefs (6-4) in the AFC West.

The key play came when Joe Montana’s pass glanced off rookie Lake Dawson’s hands into the clutches of the Chargers’ Darren Carrington with eight minutes to play. Carrington returned the interception 19 yards to the Kansas City eight.

Then on third and goal from the five, Stan Humphries passed to a wide-open Duane Young in the corner of the end zone.

There was not a defender within 10 yards of Young.

“I’m sure somebody was supposed to cover me and made a mistake,” Young said. “It’s nice to be at the point where the other team is making the mistakes.”

Before Carrington’s interception, the Chargers had not begun an offensive play closer to the goal line than the Kansas City 40.

But they trailed only 13-7, having scored with 30 seconds left in the third quarter on a 52-yard pass play, Humphries to Shawn Jefferson.

Jefferson got behind Mark Collins and hauled in Humphries’ pass at the 15, put a move on the nine-year veteran from Cal State Fullerton and scored.

The Chargers committed four turnovers in the first half, when the Chiefs took a 13-0 lead.

Montana was working without his best running back, Marcus Allen, his best blocker, tackle John Alt, and his best pass-catcher, J.J. Birden, all of whom were injured. And the Chiefs scored only one touchdown for the second game in a row.

Montana grimaced when asked about Carrington’s interception.

“It hurts more when you know you have the game and for one play . . . those are the kind of things that make you sick. If the ball just hits the ground and it’s incomplete, or if he catches it, it’s a completely different game at that point.”

Means, the AFC’s leading rusher, was held to 55 yards in 21 carries. He ran for 125 yards in a 20-6 victory over the Chiefs last month.

“Maybe we’re in first place, but we’re not in the driver’s seat. It’s not over yet,” said Charger Coach Bobby Ross. “That was one of the most intense games I’ve ever coached in. There was a grittiness and toughness on both teams.”

After a scoreless first quarter, the Chiefs got the game’s first big break when Tracy Simien recovered Means’ fumble on the Charger 30 to set up Lin Elliott’s 27-yard field goal.

Dale Carter’s 30-yard punt return a few minutes later set up Montana at the San Diego 28, and on the first play he passed to Dawson for 24 yards to the eight. Anders scored from the one, and the Chiefs led, 10-0.

From the San Diego 21, Humphries then tried a sideline pass that Collins anticipated, stepping in to make the interception as he went out of bounds on the 29. Elliott’s 34-yarder made the score 13-0 with three seconds left in the half.

The Chargers swept the season series after losing eight of the last nine regular-season games with the Chiefs.