Falcons in Full Flight Toward .500

SAN DIEGO —  Atlanta rookie Byron Hanspard provided the solitary highlight on an afternoon of intermittent rain and ugly football.

Hanspard returned the second-half kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown--his second kickoff return for a score in two weeks--as the Falcons defeated the punchless San Diego Chargers, 14-3, Sunday.

The Falcons (6-8) have won four consecutive games, their longest winning streak since a five-game run in 1991, and five of six. None has been against a team with a winning record. They also have won three consecutive road games for the first time since 1986.

San Diego (4-10) lost its sixth consecutive game under rookie Coach Kevin Gilbride, its longest streak since 1988.

Atlanta won despite getting only 13 first downs, seven in the second half, and only 204 yards in total offense.

The Falcons won, 24-17, at Seattle last week despite getting no first downs in the second half. Hanspard highlighted that victory with a 93-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the third quarter.

The Falcon defense had a great game, making three interceptions against Craig Whelihan and sacking him four times to push their NFL-leading total to 53 sacks. Ray Buchanan had two interceptions, his second in the end zone with the Falcons leading, 14-3, with 10:39 to play.

Shane Dronett blocked Davis’ 42-yard field-goal attempt in the fourth quarter. Davis kicked a 37-yarder in the third quarter for San Diego’s only points.

The crowd of 46,317 was San Diego’s lowest since 43,197 on Nov. 22, 1992, against Tampa Bay. The crowd spent most of the wet, gloomy afternoon booing Whelihan and the Chargers.