Chargers Move Closer to #3 Seed

SAN DIEGO 23, DENVER 3 ----------------------

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) - LaDainian Tomlinson moved up the NFL rushing rankings and the San Diego Chargers continued to dominate a division rival. Tomlinson rushed for 107 yards and one touchdown - giving him the NFL lead in both categories - as the Chargers won their fifth straight, a 23-3 triumph over the reeling Denver Broncos.

San Diego (10-5) moved one step closer to clinching the third seed in the AFC playoff rankings, as the AFC West champions are tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers (10-5). The Chargers visit the Oakland Raiders in their regular-season finale. The reigning league MVP has rushed for 1,418 yards on the season, moving him past Pittsburgh's Willie Parker, and has an NFL-best 15 touchdowns for the campaign.

The Broncos became the latest visiting opponent to fall behind early to San Diego. After building a 10-0 in the first quarter thanks to a 17-yard rushing touchdown by Tomlinson, the Chargers have outscored their visiting opponents, 81-0, in the opening session. Philip Rivers went 17-for-25 with 189 yards and a touchdown, improving to 30-for-43 with three touchdowns and no interceptions against Denver (6-9) on the season.

The win also marks San Diego's fourth straight over the Broncos, with the two wins coming by a combined score of 64-6. The contest was never close, as Denver was hurt by two turnovers and a forgettable debut by punter Paul Ernster, who replaced the recently released Todd Sauerbrun and averaged just 35.6 yards on five punts - with a 59-yarder at the beginning of the second quarter his long saving grace. Ernster managed just 17 yards on a punt in the first quarter to set San Diego up with the advantageous field position that led to Tomlinson's touchdown.

Jason Elam, who passed John Elway for most games played with the Broncos with 235 in his career, scored Denver's only points when he kicked a 23-yard field goal with 2:47 in the third. Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler completed 14 of 32 passes for 155 yards and two interception. Selvin Young rushed 10 times for 39 yards for the Broncos, who have lost four of five.