LaDainian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles each ran for two touchdowns and Philip Rivers threw for two more to spark San Diego past Tennessee 42-17 on Friday.
San Diego’s 10th victory in a row secured the Chargers, 12-3, a first-round bye in the American Conference playoffs, trailing only undefeated Indianapolis.
The Chargers, who will have a conference semi-final game at home next month, can match the club-record win streak from 1961 with a home victory next Sunday against Washington in their final game of the regular season.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Tennessee, trying to become the first team to reach the playoffs after losing their first six games, fell to 7-8, dooming their quest for the unprecedented season salvation.
San Diego’s 18th win in a row in December matched Miami for the NFL’s all-time record in the pivotal month, although the run that began in 2006 will have to wait until next year to be extended.
The Titans opened the scoring on a 46-yard Rob Bironas field-goal, but Vince Young threw two interceptions, lost a fumble and saw Tennessee commit penalty after penalty to cripple their cause, while the Chargers kept rolling.
“We couldn’t get in a rhythm,” Young said.
Tomlinson gave San Diego the lead for good on a one-yard touchdown run with 76 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
Rivers built the bulge with touchdown passes of 36 yards to Antonio Gates and three yards to Sproles and even though Young ran three yards for a score to pull the Titans within 21-10 at halftime, San Diego would not be denied.
Tomlinson scored on another one-yard scamper 5 minutes, 11 seconds into the third quarter, his 138th in a decade to break an Emmitt Smith NFL record, while Sproles followed with touchdown runs of one and nine yards to secure the blowout victory.
Tennessee’s Chris Johnson ran 30 yards for a late touchdown to trim the final margin.
The Chargers finished 7-1 in road games, a club record, and earned praise from coach Norv Turner for keeping their focus despite the distractions of playing at Christmas.
“I’m proud and appreciate the way they prepared,” Turner said. “Our guys have been unbelievable about not letting anything distract them.”
Also See: NFL: Seasons end early for injured Stafford and Delhomme
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and