• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Tomlinson on record pace for Chargers

Nov 22, 2006 - 12:10 AM Oakland (2-8) at San Diego (8-2) Sunday 4:05 pm EST

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- Oakland Raiders coach Art Shell doesn't have to worry about Shawne Merriman. He has plenty to worry about with LaDainian Tomlinson

Tomlinson looks to continue his march toward history Sunday when the San Diego Chargers host the Raiders in an AFC West matchup.

Already arguably the NFL's best running back and having drawn comparisons to the legendary Jim Brown, Tomlinson has 22 touchdowns - 19 rushing - in just 10 games. His TDs are more than 18 teams in the league.

"Every down he brings it. Whether he's blocking or catching or running, his value to us can not be measured," Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers said.

Tomlinson is on pace to shatter Shaun Alexander's single-season record of 28 TDs set in 2005. Tomlinson, who has 19 touchdowns in his last six games, is second in the league with 1,037 rushing yards.

Last week, Tomlinson rushed for three touchdowns and caught a 51-yard TD pass as the Chargers rallied from a 17-point deficit in a 35-27 victory at Denver.

The Chargers can take a two-game lead over Denver and Kansas City with a win on Sunday.

Now Tomlinson gets to play the team he's always enjoyed facing.

Tomlinson has rushed for 1,446 yards and 10 touchdowns in 11 career games against Oakland. He carried 31 times for 131 yards and a TD as the Chargers beat the Raiders for a sixth straight time with a 27-0 rout on September 11.

Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer took a conservative approach in the first meeting as Rivers completed just 8-of-11 passes for 108 yards and a touchdown.

However, Schottenheimer had good reason for his tactic since Merriman - who will serve the final game of his four-game suspension in this contest - collected three of the Chargers' seven sacks. The Raiders managed just 129 yards and nine first downs.

The Chargers have won four straight games, scoring 154 points during that span. They lead the league in scoring at 33.2 points per game.

While the Raiders have been abysmal offensively, they rank a respectable 12th in scoring defense, allowing 19.8 points per game. Oakland is last in scoring offense at 11.8 points per contest.

Last week, the Raiders continued to struggle against divisional foes, dropping a 17-13 decision at Kansas City. Oakland is an abysmal 2-20 against AFC West opponents the last four seasons, including 0-4 this season.

Against the Chiefs, the Raiders welcomed back quarterback Aaron Brooks, who had missed the last seven games with a pectoral injury. He completed 13-of-22 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown with an interception, which came in the end zone with 26 seconds remaining.

Brooks was unable to get the ball to five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Randy Moss, who was held without a catch. He had just one reception for eight yards the previous week against Denver.

The Raiders also suffered a pair of key injuries against the Chiefs. Running back LaMont Jordan suffered a season-ending knee injury and starting left tackle Robert Gallery went down with a dislocated elbow.

Justin Fargas, who rushed for 52 yards on 19 attempts after Jordan went down, will take over as Oakland's featured back.