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Chargers host Chiefs in battle of struggling running backs

Sep 30, 2007 - 12:22 PM Kansas City (1-2) at San Diego (1-2) 4:15 pm EDT

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- Through three games, running backs LaDainian Tomlinson and Larry Johnson have not come close to displaying last season's form.

They will try to get untracked on Sunday when the San Diego Chargers host the Kansas City Chiefs in a battle of struggling AFC West teams.

Tomlinson was coming off a banner year for the Chargers in which he rushed for a league-high 1,815 yards and set an NFL single-season record with 31 touchdowns.

But he has yet to find a groove under new coach Norv Turner, rushing for only 130 yards on 57 carries. In last week's 31-24 loss at Green Bay, Tomlinson was held to 62 yards on 22 carries.

The Chargers dropped their second straight game and, at 1-2, already have matched their loss total from last season, when they finished an NFL-best 14-2.

"I don't know if there is a problem yet," Tomlinson said. "I can't put my finger on one particular thing, but obviously there are some things going on. It just isn't happening right now."

Tomlinson enjoyed his best game last season at home against Kansas City, rushing for 199 yards in a 20-9 victory on December 17.

Johnson, who finished just behind Tomlinson in rushing last season with 1,789 yards, also has been held in check, running for just 140 yards on 40 carries. He managed a meager 42 yards on 24 carries in last week's 13-10 win over the Minnesota Vikings.

Sunday's game matches two of the league's most disappointing offenses - the Chargers rank 27th and the Chiefs 29th.

Kansas City recorded its first win of the season last week but continued to have problems moving the ball, managing just 56 total yards and four first downs in the first half.

Damon Huard came alive somewhat in the second half and finished 20-of-29 passes for 206 yards and a touchdown.

The Chiefs handed the Chargers one of their two losses last season with a 30-27 victory in Kansas City, but they have dropped three straight in the series in San Diego.