Chargers Squeeze Seahawks

With the game on the line in the fourth quarter, John Carney and Todd Peterson were a contrast in kickers: Carney couldn't miss and Peterson couldn't make one.

Carney kicked two of his four field goals in the fourth quarter, including a 41-yarder with 3:19 left that lifted San Diego over slumping Seattle 19-16 Sunday.

Peterson, meanwhile, missed three field-goal attempts in the fourth quarter after making three in the first half to extend his streak of successful kicks to 16.

"I learned a long time ago as a placekicker that you're going to miss," Peterson said. "It's very frustrating."

Carney was sympathetic.

"Everybody has one of those days if you're in this game long enough," he said.

The Seahawks (8-5), who had a three-game lead in the AFC West three weeks ago, lost their third straight and had their lead over Kansas City cut to a half-game. The Chiefs played the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday night.

"It's very painful for us right now," said Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren, who was hired by billionaire owner Paul Allen to get Seattle into the playoffs for the first time since 1988. "We're fighting for our lives."

The Chargers (6-7) won their second straight after a six-game losing streak. They still think they can make the playoffs.

"We wanted to win out. We've won two. Like the Bee Gees said, we're staying alive," San Diego quarterback Jim Harbaugh said.

After Ricky Watters fumbled and Jason Perry recovered for San Diego at the Seattle 27 with 5:24 left, the Chargers took a 19-16 lead on Carney's fourth field goal of the game.

The Seahawks had a chance to tie, but Peterson hit the left upright with a 38-yard attempt with 1:10 left.

"I get paid to make that kick," said Peterson, whis in his seventh season in the NFL.

Said Holmgren: "He usually makes that last one, but those things happen."

Peterson also was short on a 48-yard attempt with the score tied at 16 with 9:52 left. After Darryl Williams intercepted a pass from Harbaugh, Peterson missed a 52-yarder with 8:41 remaining.

Receiver Mike Pritchard said the Seahawks had no excuses for the way they've played the past three weeks against Tampa Bay, Oakland and San Diego.

"When you make a run for the playoffs, you can't play bad," Pritchard said. "The pressure is on, but there's no way that team should beat us. They're not better than us. If you're a playoff team, you shouldn't come down to a field goal hoping to get you into overtime."

The Seahawks, who trailed 13-9 at halftime, took their first lead of the game when they opened the second half with a 67-yard scoring drive. Jon Kitna threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Derrick Mayes with 3:40 gone in the third quarter.

The Seahawks won an instant-replay challenge late in the third quarter. Junior Seau hit Kitna, causing him to fumble, and Al Fontenot recovered the ball at the Seattle 15 with 38 seconds left in the period. But Holmgren challenged the play and the officials ruled Kitna's arm was going forward on the play so it was an incomplete pass.

With 2:56 gone in the fourth quarter, Carney tied the score at 16 with a 28-yard field goal.

The Chargers took the game's opening kickoff and drove 72 yards for the only touchdown of the first half, a 1-yard run by Natrone Means.

Means played for the first time since having arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Oct. 25.

Notes