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Chargers could clinch homefield for first time since 1980

Dec 31, 2006 - 2:23 PM Arizona (5-10) at San Diego (13-2) Sunday 4:15 pm ESTSAN DIEGO (Ticker) - The San Diego Chargers would love to havethe road to the Super Bowl in the AFC run through Qualcomm Stadium. Riding a club-record nine-game winning streak, the Chargerscould clinch homefield advantage throughout the playoffs with awin over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.In a magical season led by LaDainian Tomlinson, the Chargers arelooking to gain homefield for the first time since 1980 whenthey lost to Oakland in the AFC championship game. The Chargers, who already have secured a playoff bye, also couldclinch homefield if Baltimore loses at home to Buffalo.Tomlinson is the primary reason the Chargers are in the positionthey are. The four-time Pro Bowl running back already has seta single-season record with 31 touchdowns and leads the leaguewith 1,749 rushing yards, 98 more than Kansas City's LarryJohnson. Tomlinson rushed for 123 yards - his ninth straight 100-yard game - but was held out of the end zone for the first time in nine contests in last week's 20-17 victory at Seattle.After struggling virtually the entire way against the Seahawks,Philip Rivers provided the winning points with a 37-yardtouchdown pass to Vincent Jackson with 29 seconds remaining.Rivers completed just 10-of-30 passes for 180 yards and two TDs.While Tomlinson carries the offense, outside linebacker ShawneMerriman is the leader of the Chargers' defense, which tops theleague with 60 sacks. The Pro Bowler is tied for the NFL lead with 15 1/2 sacks despite missing four games for violating the league's substance-abuse policy.Merriman and the Chargers' defense will take aim at immobile quarterback Kurt Warner, who will start in place of rookieMatt Leinart.Leinart suffered a strained left shoulder in the second quarterof last week's 26-20 victory at San Francisco. Warnercompleted 9-of-13 passes for 105 yards after replacing Leinart.Edgerrin James also rushed for 105 yards against the Niners,putting him over 1,000 for the fourth straight season.Arizona has won three of its last four games.