Osgood's Very Special Play

The Chargers moved to 8--3 on Sunday largely because of backup wideout Kassim Osgood's terrific hustle on the second-half kickoff in Kansas City. The Chiefs' Dante Hall was headed for an apparent touchdown, but Osgood chased the return man for about 70 yards and finally closed in on him. Looking over his shoulder at Osgood, Hall fumbled at the San Diego 15. Instead of falling behind 24--14, the Chargers still trailed 17--14 and had the ball back. "Kassim Osgood made as fine a play as I've seen in my entire career in football," said San Diego coach Marty Schottenheimer. The Chargers rallied to win 34--31.... The Bengals used a first-round pick in last April's draft to select Michigan running back Chris Perry, but in fourth-year veteran Rudi Johnson they have a self-effacing, durable back who's rushed for 2,006 yards over his last 24 games. In a 58--48 win over the Browns on Sunday, Johnson carried 26 times for 202 yards and two scores. Perry has carried the ball twice all season for a team that had other needs on draft day.... They are 9--2 and closing in on the NFC South title, but the third quarter continues to be a problem for the Falcons. On Sunday, the Saints controlled the ball for 11:13 of the third quarter and closed a 17--6 halftime deficit to three points. The Falcons needed a 20yard touchdown pass from Michael Vick to tight end Alge Crumpler with 1:22 left to pull out a 24--21 win. For the season Atlanta has been outscored 48--14 in the third period and the opposition has controlled the ball 65% of the time.