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.”
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