Dumas’ Interception Jump-Starts Chargers

It looked as if it was going to be a slam dunk for the Kansas City Chiefs over the San Diego Chargers.

But with a little jump shot, safety Michael Dumas and the Chargers defense saved face.

A week after allowing Peyton Manning to throw for 404 yards, the Chargers intercepted Elvis Grbac four times, two of them leading to touchdowns, and rallied from a 14-0 first-quarter deficit to beat the Chiefs, 21-14, Sunday.

Dumas had the momentum-swinging first interception and cornerback Darryll Lewis, starting in place of injured Terrance Shaw, had two as the defense bailed out the offense.

Quarterback Jim Harbaugh left because of a bruised right elbow late in the first quarter, and the Chargers didn’t crack the 100-yard mark until the third quarter. They finished with only 132 yards, and netted only three yards on two possessions in the fourth quarter.

Backup quarterback Erik Kramer threw two touchdown passes, but the Chargers had to go only 10, 18 and 22 yards on their scoring drives. The field position was courtesy of the defense and special teams.

It looked like the Chargers were in big trouble when tight end Tony Gonzalez caught a 12-yard pass from Grbac for a 14-0 lead late in the first quarter. The former college basketball star at California celebrated by dunking the ball through the goal posts.

San Diego started its comeback with Dumas’ interception and 24-yard return to the Chiefs’ 10 with 8:03 left in the second quarter.

After high-fiving fans, Dumas lobbed the ball through the goal posts as if shooting a basket. “I was too tired to try to go for the dunk like Gonzalez does,” he said.

Two plays later, Natrone Means broke two tackles to complete a four-yard touchdown run.

Lewis got his first interception after Junior Seau and Lew Bush pressured Grbac, and an unnecessary roughness call on Chief center Tim Grunhard set up the winning touchdown--Kramer’s 11-yard pass to Chris Penn with 10:57 to go in the third quarter.