Chargers run to victory
The Chargers rebounded from last week's tough loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, exploding past the St. Louis Rams 38-24 Sunday. LaDainian Tomlinson led the way, eclipsing the 100-yard mark for the first time since the opener with a season-high 183 yards rushing, giving him over 8,000 for his career. Tomlinson also visited the end zone three times (two rushing, one receiving), joining Emmitt Smith as the second-fastest players to rack up 90 touchdowns, accomplishing the feat in 86 games, five more than Jim Brown (81). "So many questions start to come when you don't have 100 yards," said Tomlinson. "People start to wonder, are you getting old or have you lost a step? For me, it's all motivation." Shawne Merriman came up with three sacks, while safety Marlon McCree returned a fumble 79 yards in the second quarter to give the Chargers (5-2) a 21-7 lead.
- LaDainian Tomlinson scored two touchdowns in the first quarter today, the 89th and 90th of his career...he tied Emmitt Smith as the second-fastest player (86 games) in NFL history to score 90 touchdowns...Jim Brown (81 games) was the fastest.
- Tomlinson rushed for 183 yards today, the eighth-highest single-game total of his career...it was his second-career 100-yard game against St. Louis in as many outings...it was the 30th 100-yard game of his career and his second this season...the Chargers improved to 22-8 when he goes over 100 yards rushing.
- Tomlinson had the 19th game of his career with two or more rushing touchdowns, improving the team’s record to 17-2 when he does so.
It was also the fifth game of his career with at least one rushing and receiving touchdown...the Chargers are 5-0 in such games. - In the fourth quarter today, Tomlinson became the eighth player to reach 8,000 career rushing yards in less than 90 games, tying Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton as the seventh-fastest (86 games) to reach 8,000 yards.
- Tomlinson finished today’s game with 240 total yards from scrimmage (183 rushing and 57 receiving)...it’s the third-highest single-game total of his career.
- Tomlinson’s 51-yard run in the third quarter was the 10th run of 50 yards or longer during his career.
- Philip Rivers was 10-of-14 for 121 yards and a 97.6 passer rating in the first half...of the four incomplete passes, one was an intentional throw-away...Rivers was 6-of-9 for 101 yards and a touchdown today on third downs, a rating of 141.1...He opened the game today by completing his first four passes for 70 yards.
Shawne Merriman had three sacks today, tying his career high, set Week 1 of this season in Oakland. - Marlon McCree’s 79-yard fumble return for a touchdown is the third-longest fumble return in team history...the longest is an 82-yard return for a touchdown by Donnie Edwards the last time the Chargers played the Rams, Nov. 10, 2002 in St. Louis...the second-longest was an 81-yard touchdown return by Vencie Glenn against the New York Giants on Oct. 22, 1989...it was McCree’s second-career touchdown...his first was a 95-yard interception return for Houston on Dec. 21, 2003 against Tennessee.
- The Chargers only attempted 23 passes today, improving their record under Marty Schottenheimer to 16-5 when they throw fewer than 25 passes in a game.
- Schottenheimer won the 192nd regular-season game of his career today, taking over sole possession of sixth place on the NFL’s all-time wins list...he had been tied with former Atlanta and Denver Head Coach Dan Reeves, who was in the broadcast booth at Qualcomm Stadium today for Westwood One.
- Schottenheimer closed out October 3-2 this season to improve his October record with the Chargers to 13-8, his winningest month as the Bolts head coach.
- The Chargers improved to 3-0 at home for the first time since 2002.
- The Chargers held the ball today for 30:54...they’ve held the ball for 30:00+ minutes in all seven games this season...it is the first time the team has possessed the ball for 30:00+ minutes in each of its first seven games.
- The Chargers scored on all three of their possessions today inside the 20-yard line...with the exception of a kneel-down at the end of the Pittsburgh game (Oct. 8), the Chargers have scored either a touchdown or field goal on 27 of 27 drives inside the 20-yard line...today the team had two touchdowns and one field goal.
- The Chargers played their 18th consecutive home game today without allowing a 100-yard rusher...it’s the second-longest streak in the NFL behind Kansas City (19 games)...the Chargers improved to 14-4 in those 18 games.
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