SAN DIEGO -- A few takeaways from the San Diego Chargers' locker room after the 27-24 win over the St. Louis Rams:

• The last time Marcus Gilchrist corralled an interception was nearly 1,000 snaps ago, in a 41-38 win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Nov. 24 last year. So it's fitting that the fourth-year pro got his first interception of 2014 to preserve a win in the final minute for the Chargers.

  Gilchrist had tight end Lance Kendricks in coverage. But he stayed in and blocked, which allowed Gilchrist to drop back in coverage, read Shaun Hill's eyes and get in front of St. Louis receiver Kenny Britt on the play.

  "I didn't really have too much responsibility on that play," Gilchrist said. "And I was able to get my eyes on the quarterback, and make a play."

  Fellow safety Eric Weddle said that Gilchrist is versatile player who holds things down in the back end, allowing Weddle to run around and take chances when he sees an opportunity.

  "Gilchrist is one of the most important players on our defense because of how much he can do," Weddle said. "He plays the nickel. He plays safety. He lets me roam around because he can do so much, which lets me do my thing. So for him to win the game like that, guarding his guy and seeing his guy blocked, and then just having great vision and instincts -- those are the plays you want a guy to make in that situation."

• Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers took the blame for Janoris Jenkins' 99-yard interception return for a score. Rivers said the ball placement could have been better but also acknowledged that Keenan Allen slipped and could have been in better position to make a play on the ball.

  According to ESPN Stats & Information, Rivers completed 14 of 15 passes for 185 yards and a touchdown pass in the second half, including going 8-of-8 against the blitz.

  "It wasn't my best throw," Rivers said. "I did want to put it on that outside shoulder. I felt [James] Laurinaitis coming. I haven't seen it, but I think Keenen would tell you that he didn't have his feet up under him to where he could react to it. But I take responsibility for the interception. I threw the football. But I think a lot of times that's not an interception if he can keep his feet and at least get his body out in front of it."

• Keenan Allen had a tackle against the Rams, so he still has more tackles (three) than touchdowns (two).