Bodog Beat

David Garrard was welcomed back with open arms as the Jaguars won their seventh game of the season. (AP Images)

Playing for the first time after missing nearly a month with a sprained ankle, David Garrard threw two touchdown passes to help the Jacksonville Jaguars beat the San Diego Chargers 24-17 Sunday. It was a game highlighted by the return of Garrard as much as it was by the floundering Chargers offense.

San Diego ended three consecutive fourth-quarter possessions in questionable fashion before making a game of it late. Philip Rivers connected with All-Pro tight end Antonio Gates for a 24-yard touchdown that made it 24-17 with 5:06 to play. But once again, it was bad decision-making, questionable clock management and turnovers that killed San Diego.

The Gates score followed a 15-yard penalty on rookie safety Reggie Nelson for leading with his helmet. Replays, though, showed Nelson actually tackled Chris Chambers with his right shoulder. Nonetheless, the result was a 35-yard gain that set up Rivers' TD pass. The Chargers got the ball back with 2:13 remaining. But Rivers' second pass was intercepted by Sammy Knight near midfield.

In Detroit, Michael Strahan had a season-high three sacks while James Butler and Sam Madison both made victory-sealing interceptions, helping the Giants beat the Lions 16-10.

Eli Manning threw a touchdown pass to Brandon Jacobs, who later left the game with an injury, and Lawrence Tynes kicked three field goals to give the Giants more than enough offense. Detroit (6-4) dropped back-to-back games for the first time this year and lost for the first time at Ford Field, where it will host the NFC North-leading Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving.

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