Buccaneers win third straight as turnovers doom Chargers

By Fred Goodall, AP Sports Writer

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Josh Freeman threw two touchdown passes and the surging Buccaneers scored on a blocked punt and Leonard Johnson's 83-yard interception return to beat the Chargers 34-24 for their third straight win Sunday.

Freeman has thrown for 13 TDs with one interception in his past five games, helping the Bucs (5-4) win four times to climb back over .500 following a 1-3 start.

Rivers threw for 337 yards and three touchdowns for San Diego. He was intercepted twice in the fourth quarter to ruin any chance of the Chargers (4-5) coming from behind.

Bucs linebacker Quincy Black was carted off the field after tackling running back Ryan Matthews for a 1-yard loss late in the third quarter. There was no immediate announcement on the nature of the injury, however trainers examined the sixth-year pro for several minutes before immobilizing his neck and back and strapping him to a stretcher.

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