Mark Long

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- This was the Philip Rivers everyone expected all season.

Rivers threw for 294 yards and three touchdowns, burning Jacksonville's depleted secondary early and often, and the San Diego Chargers beat the Jaguars 38-14 on Monday night to snap a six-game losing streak.

The Chargers (5-7) could have used Rivers' turnaround sooner. The three-time Pro Bowl selection leads the NFL in interceptions (17) and turnovers (21), and was a key part of San Diego's disappointing season.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Of all the indelible moments from Dan Wheldon's public memorial service -- fellow IndyCar drivers Dario Franchitti, Scott Dixon and Tony Kanaan serving as pallbearers, his father carrying his racing helmet and country music star Wynonna Judd singing two gripping songs -- the heart-wrenching letter from his wife cut deepest.

Susie Wheldon's letter to Dan left few eyes dry in the First Presbyterian Church of St. Petersburg.

Wheldon, a two-time Indianapolis 500 winner, died last Sunday in IndyCar's season finale at Las Vegas. He was remembered Saturday not only as a champion but as a devoted husband, caring father, loyal friend and beloved son. And one more thing: a neat freak.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Steve Spurrier is passing, Danny Wuerffel is getting ready to throw and Tim Tebow is, well, doing what he does best.

The National Guard spends about $20 million to sponsor Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR's most popular driver. The U.S. Army pays $7.4 million to sponsor Ryan Newman. The U.S. Air Force doles out $1.6 million to sponsor AJ Allmendinger.

Some lawmakers believe those deals are excessive and unnecessary.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- The Daytona 500 could have higher speeds, wilder races and closer finishes.

Drivers testing Daytona International Speedway for the first time since it was completely repaved agreed Thursday that NASCAR's premier event will feature tighter packs -- cars running three wide at nearly 200 mph -- and increase the possibility for breathtaking wrecks.

"It's going to be a lot tighter packs than I've ever seen," defending Daytona 500 winner Jamie McMurray said. "It's certainly going to be more Talladega-type, really close, restrictor-plate racing. ... You've got to hope that you're going to make it to the end because the odds (of big wrecks) are going to be really good I'd say."

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Standing behind the same podium where quarterback Tim Tebow delivered his now-famous promise 14 months and 21 wins ago, coach Urban Meyer vowed Monday to be at Florida "as long as they'll have me."