NFL NEWS: Patriots defeat Chargers to clinch spot in AFC Championship Game

SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Chargers gave Tom Brady one chance too many, and that's all the cagey playoff veteran needed.
Brady and the New England Patriots shocked league MVP LaDainian Tomlinson and the San Diego Chargers on Sunday, winning 24-21 to move within one win of their fourth Super Bowl trip in six seasons.

GAME REPORT: Patriots 24, Chargers 21

Brady overcame three interceptions, his career playoff high, to lead the Patriots to 11 points in 3:26 late in the game.

The winning points came on a 31-yard field goal by Stephen Gostkowski with 1:10 left. That capped a 72-yard drive highlighted by a 49-yard pass to Reche Caldwell, who left the Chargers as a free agent after last season.

With the Patriots trailing 21-13, Brady threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to the wide-open Caldwell with 4:36 to play. The Patriots tied it on a tricky 2-point conversion, snapping the ball directly to running back Kevin Faulk, who was standing next to Brady and ran through the middle of the line.

San Diego's Pro Bowl kicker Nate Kaeding was short on a 54-yard field goal try with 3 seconds left.

It was a crunching end to San Diego's season, and could lead to coach Marty Schottenheimer's ouster.

Behind league MVP Tomlinson, the Chargers went an NFL-best 14-2, including going 8-0 at home in the regular season.

Schottenheimer fell to 5-13 in the postseason, with Cleveland, Kansas City and San Diego. Although he has a year left on his contract, at more than $3 million, he and general manager A.J. Smith have had an icy relationship for months.

Credit for story at:USAToday.com