The Patriots led, 9-6, at the half, as the Chargers twice settled for field goals. The Patriots got a 26-yard field goal from [Adam Vinatieri] and [Terry Glenn]'s 21-yard touchdown reception. The Glenn score was Brady's first NFL touchdown pass, and it was perfectly thrown between double- coverage.

The Patriots again sagged in the third quarter, when they've been outscored, 51-10, this season. The Chargers went ahead after [Doug Flutie] connected on passes of 56 and 19 yards to [Curtis Conway]. [Tomlinson] ran in from the 1 with 9:43 remaining in the third quarter to make it 13-9, Chargers.

1. As holder [Lee Johnson] watches it sail through, Adam Vinatieri is already celebrating his 44-yard game-winner, the fifth overtime field goal of his career. / GLOBE STAFF PHOTO / JIM DAVIS 2. Patriots coach [Bill Belichick] gives Chargers quarterback Doug Flutie a postgame hug. / GLOBE STAFF PHOTO / MATTHEW J. LEE