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Tomlinson on verge of history; Chargers host Broncos

Dec 5, 2006 - 11:15 PM Denver (7-5) at San Diego (10-2) Sunday 4:15 pm EST

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- LaDainian Tomlinson continues his march toward NFL history Sunday when the San Diego Chargers host the Denver Broncos in an AFC West matchup.

Arguably the NFL's best running back, Tomlinson has 26 touchdowns, two shy of matching Seattle's Shaun Alexander's single-season record set last season. His TDs are tied with Marshall Faulk for the third most in a season. Priest Holmes had 27 TDs for Kansas City in 2003.

"It seems like each time this thing continues to grow, guys score more touchdowns," Tomlinson said. "It's no different here. I think it's been since Emmitt, it's been more guys really getting close to the record. Before that time, it was kind of a big deal to surpass the touchdown record. I don't know who had it before Emmitt, but once he did it, then it seemed like Marshall and Priest and Shaun, it seems like it's continuing. And so it's just another milestone."

"His achievements, I've run out of superlatives," Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer said Monday. "It's what he does. I'm going to tell you what - I stand on the sideline and I watch him like a fan. It's amazing."

Tomlinson has scored 23 touchdowns in the last eight games. He rushed for three TDs and caught a 51-yard score in a 35-27 victory at Denver on November 19, a contest in which the Chargers erased a 17-point second-half deficit.

Last Sunday, Tomlinson rushed for 178 yards and two touchdowns in a 24-21 victory at Buffalo.

Tomlinson leads the league with 1,324 rushing yards and 1,794 yards from scrimmage

With Tomlinson paving the way, the Chargers have won six straight games to put themselves on the verge of winning their first division title since 2004 and clinching just their second playoff berth in 11 seasons.

San Diego, which owns a three-game lead over both Kansas City and Denver, could win the division with a win, coupled with a Kansas City loss to Baltimore earlier Sunday. Things are going in the opposite direction for the Broncos, who are trying to avoid their first four-game losing since an 0-4 start in 1999.

Broncos coach Mike Shanahan, who has guided the franchise to two Super Bowl titles, made the switch from veteran Jake Plummer to rookie Jay Cutler at quarterback in last Sunday night's 23-20 home loss to Seattle.

Cutler showed his inexperience in his first career start, throwing two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown while also losing a fumble. He completed 10-of-21 passes for 143 yards and two touchdowns.

Denver is one of five teams in the AFC with a 7-5 record.