At 4-8, the Chargers were left for roadkill. But their season might have looked most bleak on Sunday, Dec. 14, when they trailed the Chiefs in Kansas City 21-10 with about four minutes to play in the game. A loss would have ended the season for the Chargers and clinched the AFC West title for the Broncos.

And then Philip Rivers led the Chargers on an 89-yard drive that ended in a 4-yard touchdown pass to WR Malcom Floyd.

Then San Diego’s defense held, and Rivers led the Chargers on another 61-yard touchdown drive that ended with 35 seconds left in the game, when WR Vincent Jackson caught a 10-yard touchdown pass.

Two touchdowns in 3:07 saved the season.

And even then, the Chiefs managed to attempt a 50-yard field goal as time expired. If good, the kick would have ended the game in Kansas City’s favor. But it wasn’t good, and San Diego’s season remained alive.

And now the Chargers find themselves in Pittsburgh, in the AFC Divisional Playoffs, 60 minutes from hosting the Ravens in the AFC Championship Game.