BY JIM DONALDSON
Journal Sports Writer

SAN DIEGO -- Not that the Patriots 'D' deserves any credit for giving up the touchdown just before halftime that gave the Chargers a 17-3 lead.

But what set up the score was the failure of the New England offense to pick up a first down on 3rd-and-2 at their own 14. That paved the way for the Chargers to get good field position, which they promptly did, thanks to a 24-yard punt return by the elusive Darren Sproles, to which was added a 15-yard, grabbing the face mask penalty against Pats rookie linebacker Jerod Mayo.