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Tomlinson faces NFC champion Bears

Sep 9, 2007 - 10:25 AM Chicago (13-3) and San Diego (14-2) Sunday 4:15 pm EDT

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- Record-breaking running back LaDainian Tomlinson faces one of the league's best defenses as the San Diego Chargers host the defending NFC champion Chicago Bears.

Tomlinson rushed for a league-high 1,815 yards last year in leading the Chargers to a franchise-record and NFL-best mark of 14-2. He set 13 league records, including single-season marks for points (186), total touchdowns (31) and rushing touchdowns (28).

The Texas Christian product is facing a Chicago defense that ranked sixth against the run last season, yielding 99.4 yards per game.

The Bears released defensive tackle Tank Johnson following his well-documented legal problems, but are hoping Pro Bowler Tommie Harris comes back strong after missing the playoffs and final three regular-season games of last season with a leg injury.

Norv Turner takes over in San Diego for Marty Schottenheimer, who was fired following another disappointing playoff defeat. With home-field advantage through the playoffs, the Chargers had Super Bowl aspirations but their season ended in a 24-21 loss to the New England Patriots in the divisional playoff round.

Turner was tabbed as Schottenheimer's replacement despite a career mark of 58-82-1. Turner spent last season as the San Francisco 49ers' offensive coordinator following two years as the coach of the Oakland Raiders, where he posted a 9-23 mark.

Given a chance to start for the first time, third-year quarterback Philip Rivers had a solid season for the Chargers in 2006, passing for 3,536 yards and 23 touchdowns.

Rivers' favorite target was Antonio Gates, the NFL's best receiving tight end who grabbed a team-high 71 catches for 924 yards and nine TDs.

Last season, Rex Grossman led the Bears to their first Super Bowl appearance in 21 years but was not able to silence his critics due to inconsistent play. Grossman threw 20 interceptions, the third-highest total in the league behind Ben Roethlisberger and Jon Kitna.

If Grossman continues to struggle, Bears fans likely will be calling for him to be replaced by his backup, veteran Brian Griese.

Cedric Benson becomes the Bears' No. 1 option in the backfield after Thomas Jones was traded to the New York Jets. Benson rushed for 647 yards last year in his second season in the NFL.

Five of the last six NFC champions had losing seasons the next year, although the Seattle Seahawks bucked that trend last season, winning the NFC West title with a 9-7 record.