Chargers 27, Chiefs 24 (OT): Nick Novak kicked a 36-yard field goal with 5:30 left in overtime to push host San Diego into the playoffs as the AFC's No. 6 seed.

Kansas City's Ryan Succop pushed a potential game-winning field goal wide right to force overtime, and safety Eric Weddle ran for a first down on a fake punt on fourth-and-2 from the Chargers' 28 to prolong San Diego's opening drive in the extra period. After Novak's go-ahead kick, the Chiefs drove to the 36 before San Diego forced a turnover on downs to hold off Kansas City, which sat most of its key players.

Ryan Mathews rushed for 144 yards and Philip Rivers finished 22-of-33 for 229 yards with three touchdowns and an interception for the Chargers (9-7), who got the help they needed early in the day - losses from Miami and Baltimore - and won their fourth straight game to earn a trip to Cincinnati to open the playoffs next week. Knile Davis rushed for 81 yards and two touchdowns for the Chiefs (11-5), who will open the playoffs at Indianapolis.

Making his first NFL start, Chase Daniel was 21-of-30 for 200 yards and a touchdown and added 59 yards on the ground for the Chiefs, who led 21-14 at halftime and made it a 10-point margin on Succop's 46-yard field goal in the third quarter. Rivers hit Eddie Royal for a 6-yard touchdown to pull the Chargers within 24-21 early in the fourth quarter, and Novak's 22-yard field goal tied it with 3:21 left.

Daniel and the Chiefs marched into position to win it at the end of regulation, but Succop's 41-yard try just missed the right upright. The Chargers gambled with the fake punt in overtime and the ball popped loose from Weddle at the end of the play, but officials ruled his progress was stopped and San Diego marched down the field for the go-ahead kick.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Kansas City rested most of its starters, including QB Alex Smith, RB Jamaal Charles, WR Dwayne Bowe and defensive stars Tamba Hali, Derrick Johnson and Dontari Poe. … Despite sitting out, Charles (1,287) finished as the AFC's leading rusher for the second straight season, edging Matthews (1,255). … Chargers WR Keenan Allen (1,046) had five catches for 89 yards to break John Jefferson's 35-year-old franchise rookie record for receiving yards.