Philip Rivers, Chargers beat fading Cowboys

ARLINGTON, TEXAS » Philip Rivers threw for 434 yards and three touchdowns in his first Thanksgiving game in the NFL and the Los Angeles Chargers beat the fading Dallas Cowboys 28-6 on Thursday.

Desmond King returned an interception 90 yards for the punctuating touchdown and the Chargers (56) moved within 1 1/2 games of AFC West-leading Kansas City after starting 0-4.

The defending NFC East champion Cowboys (5-6) lost their third straight by at least 20 points, all without star running back Ezekiel Elliott, in a damaging defeat for their fading playoff hopes.

Dallas, playing its 50th Thanksgiving game, finally ended a touchdown drought at a team-record 10 quarters on Rod Smith’s 2-yard run early in the fourth quarter.

Keenan Allen had a careerhigh 172 yards on 11 catches with a touchdown, giving him 23 grabs for 331 yards and three scores in the past two games.

Vikings 30, Lions 23

DETROIT » Case Keenum threw two touchdown passes and ran for a score — all in the first half — to give Minnesota a doubledigit lead against Detroit.

The Vikings (9-2) took a huge step toward winning the NFC North, taking a three-game lead over the second-place Lions. Detroit (6-5) made mistakes in every phase of the game and Minnesota took advantage.

Keenum was 21 of 30 for 282 yards with both TD passes to Kyle Rudolph that gave the Vikings a 20-3 lead late in the second quarter.