CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Just when it looked like the San Diego Chargers might get another win, they reverted to the miscues and mistakes that have made them the worst team in the NFL.

Iheanyi Uwaezuoke returned a punt 64 yards for a touchdown and Doug Evans returned a blocked field goal 54 yards for another score as the Carolina Panthers rallied for a 30-22 victory over the Chargers on Sunday.

The Chargers (1-14), who clinched the worst record in the league and top pick in the draft, got unusually solid play from Ryan Leaf and led 22-14 late in the third quarter.

That's when things turned.

After the Chargers punted with 1:52 to play in the quarter, Uwaezuoke fielded Darren Bennett's kick at the 36 and broke free up the middle for Carolina's first punt return for a touchdown this season.

Carolina (7-8) failed on its two-point conversion attempt, but still cut the score to 22-20.

Leaf was then intercepted on San Diego's next series -- his 17th of the season -- when the ball bounced off Freddie Jones' chest and into Lee Woodall's hands at the San Diego 36.

That led to Joe Nedney's 18-yard field goal that put Carolina up 23-22.

But the Chargers still weren't done giving the game away.

They moved the ball to the 18 on their next possession, and lined up to try what would have been a go-ahead field goal with 9:33 to play. But Jay Williams blocked John Carney's attempt, and Evans scooped the ball up and ran 54 yards for the score that gave Carolina a 30-22 lead.

Later, in a play that summed up San Diego's luck this season, Leaf hit Curtis Conway for what appeared to be a 10-yard touchdown pass. But the officials spotted the ball just inside the 1.

The Chargers then blew what still could have been an easy touchdown when Jermaine Fazande fumbled on the next play and the ball squirted back to the 9-yard line before Leaf recovered it.

They lost two more yards on the next play when Jones' catch was stopped for a loss, and the Chargers were whistled for a false start on the next play that backed them up another five yards.

It still could have been worse. Ben Coleman was called for illegal hands to the face on the next play, but Carolina declined the penalty to bring up fourth-and-16. Leaf's pass to Conway in the end zone was then broken up by Eric Davis.

It was a disappointing ending to what had been a productive day for Leaf, who finished 23-for-43 for 259 yards and two touchdowns. He had one interception and also lost a fumble.

Steve Beuerlein was just 12-of-27 for 139 yards for Carolina, but he also threw two touchdown passes.

As promised, backup Jeff Lewis played the second quarter for Carolina. He finished 6-for-13 for 41 yards, but had an interception run back 36 yards for a touchdown by Gerald Dixon.

Tshimanga Biakabutuka was back in the roster for the Panthers. In three runs, he lost 11 yards.