Chargers trump Chiefs, 20-9
By BERNIE WILSON
Associated Press
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SAN DIEGO — LaDainian Tomlinson turned a simple off-tackle play into an 85-yard touchdown run, lighting up Qualcomm Stadium and carrying the San Diego Chargers to a 20-9 win over the Kansas City Chiefs last night.
"It was absolutely perfect," Tomlinson said. "I don't know if you can draw it any better. Once I saw the crease, and the safety took a bad angle, I felt like I was running track again. ... I felt like I could go all the way."
Sort of sums up San Diego's season to date.
The AFC West champion Chargers (12-2) won their eighth straight and kept the inside track to home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs. They tied franchise records for wins in a season, last accomplished with a 12-4 record in 2004, and for their winning streak.
Tomlinson finished with 199 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries to take over the NFL rushing lead from Kansas City's Larry Johnson. It was Tomlinson's eighth straight 100-yard game.
The Chiefs (7-7), playing four nights after the death of their owner, Lamar Hunt, saw their wild-card chances severely damaged.
Prior to kickoff, there was a video tribute and moment of silence for Hunt, who died Wednesday night of complications from prostate cancer. He was 74.
But this night, as so many Chargers games have this season, belonged to Tomlinson.
One play after Chargers long snapper David Binn recovered a blocked punt, Tomlinson burst through a huge hole and outraced cornerback Patrick Surtain and linebacker Derrick Johnson down the left sideline for his second TD.
And to think, Chiefs defensive end Tamba Hali called the Chargers "a finesse team" eight weeks ago after Kansas City beat San Diego 30-27 at Arrowhead Stadium.
The Chargers haven't lost since.
Center Nick Hardwick said the Chiefs ran a weak-side blitz, so the Chargers bounced out a play to the strong side.
"They had no idea," Hardwick said. "You just hear the crowd roaring, then pop your head up, look down, see the back of his numbers and cheer him on because you can't do anything at that point."
The longest run of Tomlinson's career:
Asked about all the records he's breaking, Tomlinson said: "It's happening so much now, I can't keep up anymore. To be honest, I don't want to keep up. I just keep rolling."
Tomlinson has 1,626 yards to Johnson's 1,516. Johnson had 84 yards on 19 carries.
One play before Tomlinson's 85-yard run, Mike Scifres' punt was blocked by Kansas City's Bernard Pollard, but Derrick Ross of the Chiefs touched the ball beyond the line of scrimmage and Binn recovered.
"It could have turned the momentum in our way but it didn't," Chiefs coach Herm Edwards said. "It got them the ball back, and the next play, the guy makes the big play."
Lawrence Tynes provided all of Kansas City's points with field goals of 45, 52 and 24 yards.
His 24-yarder, in the fourth quarter, was set up when Greg Wesley picked off Philip Rivers' poorly thrown pass.
Kaeding added a 22-yard field goal late in the game.
Rivers was a pedestrian 8 of 23 for 97 yards, with two interceptions and no touchdowns. Frustrated by a third-down incompletion, he tossed his helmet on the sideline.
Kansas City's Trent Green was 23 of 41 for 185 yards and one interception.
