SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- The San Diego Chargers had no prayer at stopping Priest Holmes.
Holmes rushed for a season-high 162 yards and two touchdowns as the Kansas City Chiefs moved a step closer to securing the AFC West title with a 28-24 victory over the hapless Chargers.
Since having their nine-game winning streak stopped, the Chiefs (11-1) have recovered to win consecutive games. They can clinch their first division title since 1997 when they visit Denver next weekend.
"We know we have four (games) left and a lot of work left to do," Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil said. "We go to Denver to play now and that win right there can put us right where we want to be in terms of the divisional title."
The versatile Holmes was a workhorse in the Chiefs' latest win. Facing the NFL's 29th-ranked run defense, Holmes carried a season-high 31 times, including touchdown runs of two and seven yards in the first half when the Chiefs built a 21-7 lead.
"Our offensive line definitely showed up," Holmes said. "That's the reason they're one of the best offensive units in the NFL."
LaDainian Tomlinson rushed for 106 yards and a touchdown for the lowly Chargers (2-10), who reached double figures in losses for the third time in the last four seasons.
"Another disappointing outcome," Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer said. "We weren't able to control their rushing game. From a defensive standpoint that's what compromised our ability to win a football game."
Doug Flutie also threw for a pair of touchdowns but was intercepted twice and lost a fumble. Two of his turnovers came in the second half when the Chargers unsuccessfully tried to rally.
Flutie's 20-yard touchdown pass to David Boston with 2:56 left in the third quarter pulled the Chargers within 21-17.
On the Chiefs' ensuing drive, they had a 1st-and-goal at the Chargers 2. But Trent Green lost 14 yards on a sack, then was intercepted in the end zone by cornerback Quentin Jammer on the first play of the fourth quarter.
But Flutie returned the favor moments later when he dropped a snap and linebacker Gary Stills recovered for Kansas City at the San Diego 27.
Flutie thought his fumble was the turning point.
"No question about it," he said. "We had some momentum. We'd scored and cut the lead. We got the ball back in great shape. I had full confidence we could take the ball and shove it down their throat, and next thing I know, we're off the field."
Holmes carried seven straight times before Green found Tony Gonzalez with a three-yard TD pass, extending the lead to 28-17 with 6:28 remaining.
