Chargers Vs. Ravens Halftime Score: San Diego Takes 17-7 Lead Into Break

Read More: Billy Cundiff (K - BAL), Vincent Jackson (WR - TAM), Philip Rivers (QB - SDC), Nick Novak (K - SDC), Joe Flacco (QB - BAL), Ray Rice (RB - BAL), Mike Tolbert (FB - CAR), Ryan Mathews (RB - SDC), San Diego Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, Baltimore Ravens at San Diego Chargers, Dec 18, 2011 8:20 PM EST

The San Diego Chargers need a win on Sunday Night Football to keep their NFL playoff hopes alive, and through the first half, it seems they might be able to keep it alive for at least another week. The Chargers took a 17-7 lead into halftime behind a pair of scores from both of the team's running backs.

Mike Tolbert pinballed his way into the end zone from just two yards out on the Chargers first drive of the game and Ryan Mathews ended up in the end zone later in the second quarter to sandwich a Nick Novak field goal to complete the 17-point surge. Mathews' touchdown was set up by a long bomb from Philip Rivers to Vincent Jackson as the video below will show.

Rivers ended the first half with 170 yards through the air as he completed 11 of his 15 passing attempts, but the running backs vultured both touchdowns after the passing game did most of the dirty work. Mathews has carried the ball eight times for a total of 11 yards while Tolbert has three carries for a meager two yards and the touchdown.

The Ravens didn't play bad in the first half as Joe Flacco completed more than half of his passes for 102 yards and a touchdown while Ray Rice carried the ball nine times for 63 yards, but Baltimore was unable to finish its drives and kicker Billy Cundiff missed his only field goal attempt of the game.

For more on the Ravens head over to Baltimore Beat Down. For more on the chargers, check out Bolts From The Blue. Follow the rest of Week 15 at SB Nation NFL.