The Chargers took all they could get from the Buccaneers' miserable pass defense in the first quarter, as Philip Rivers connected with Danario Alexander and Antonio Gates to give the Chargers a 14-7 lead.
San Diego got the scoring started on their first drive of the day when Rivers connected with Alexander for an 80-yard touchdown. Alexander, a recent waiver-wire pickup, made the most of his opportunity after head coach Norv Turner enlisted him as a starter instead of Robert Meachem.
Tampa Bay, powered by Doug Martin, responded with a scoring drive of its own when Josh Freeman found Dallas Clark to hit pay dirt on the other end. Martin has 32 yards rushing and 42 yards receiving so far.
Rivers found his most reliable target for a score on the very next drive, with Gates splitting the defense down the middle for a 13-yard touchdown. Rivers is 5 of 6 for 148 yards and two touchdowns.