Chargers inch closer to Chiefs in AFC West race

? The San Diego Chargers have regained their December swagger, thanks to Vincent Jackson’s return and a smash-mouth defense.

Jackson caught a career-high three touchdown passes, Philip Rivers surpassed 4,000 yards passing for the third straight season and the Chargers beat Alex Smith and the San Francisco 49ers, 34-7, on Thursday night to stay alive in the AFC West race.

Jackson reminded the Chargers just what they missed when he sat out 10 games during a nasty contract dispute.

“Since I’ve been here, it’s like I had never left,” said Jackson, who had his first three TD grabs of the season, of 58, 11 and 21 yards.

“He seems to be in midseason form,” Rivers said. “I feel like he’s been here for 15 weeks. That’s a credit to the way he practices.”

The Chargers (8-6) pulled within a half-game of AFC West leader Kansas City (8-5), which lost, 31-0, at San Diego on Sunday.

San Francisco was probably the toughest test left for the Chargers, who finish with games at Cincinnati (2-11) and Denver (3-10). If San Diego wins out and the Chiefs lose once, the Chargers will win their fifth straight division title.

The Chargers came within 4:26 of having consecutive shutouts for the first time in their 51-year history.

The 49ers (5-9) could wind up 7-9 and in a three-way tie and still win the NFC West, the NFL’s weakest division.

Rivers and Jackson came out early in the fourth quarter and the Chargers leading 31-0.

Rivers was 19 of 25 for 273 yards, giving him 4,141 for the season. He tied Hall of Famer Dan Fouts’ team record set from 1979-81. Jackson had five catches for 112 yards.