SAN DIEGO (AP) Philip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers twice had their playoff destiny in their own hands. They still ended up missing the postseason for the fourth time in five seasons.

Losing at home to New England and Denver on consecutive weeks was one thing, although it proved the Chargers couldn't hang in there with the AFC's elite teams.

Getting handled by the division rival Kansas City Chiefs on the final day of the regular season was another thing, because all the Chargers (9-7) had to do was win and they would have been in the postseason.