Tomlinson, Chargers Get Rare Road Win at KC

By Marc Bowman
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

KANSAS CITY (Ticker) -- LaDainian Tomlinson and the San Diego Chargers picked up a rare road win over an AFC West Divisional foe. Tomlinson rushed for a pair of second-half touchdowns Sunday as the resurgent Chargers rallied for a 24-10 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.

In winning just their second game in their last 11 tries at Arrowhead Stadium, the Chargers avenged a 30-16 loss to the Chiefs in San Diego September 30. It was San Diego's first road victory since beating the Denver Broncos, 41-3, on October 7.

Tomlinson rushed 23 times for 177 yards as San Diego (7-5) won for the sixth time in its last eight games. Tomlinson's 31-yard TD run on San Diego's first possession of the second half broke a 10-10 tie with 12:16 left in the third quarter. The reigning NFL MVP, Tomlinson sealed the win with a 28-yard touchdown run to cap the scoring with 10:15 left in the game. Tomlinson topped the 100-yard mark for the first time since scoring four touchdowns in a 198-yard effort against Oakland on October 14.

Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers connected with Vincent Jackson for a 38-yard pass for San Diego's first touchdown, tying the score at 10-10 with 3:29 left in the second quarter. Rivers completed 10-of-21 passes for 157 yards and one interception.

Kansas City (4-8) suffered its fifth straight loss, matching its longest losing streak since 2000. It was the Chiefs' fourth straight home loss and fifth of the year, their most since 2001. Damon Huard filled in at quarterback for the Chiefs as Brodie Croyle was out with a bruised back. Huard completed 19-of-34 passes for 186 yards and one interception before leaving the game in the fourth quarter with a hand injury. Kansas City quarterbacks tossed three interceptions and were sacked nine times.

The Chiefs' only touchdown came on a 2-yard pass from Huard to defensive end Jared Allen, who lined up as an eligible receiver on 3rd-and-goal. The score gave Kansas City a 10-3 lead with 5:23 left in the second quarter. Newly signed placekicker John Carney was successful on his only field goal attempt in his first action for the Chiefs since replacing Dave Rayner, who was cut by the team on Tuesday after missing three of his last five field goal tries.

San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson (21) breaks loose for a 28-yard touchdown run during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth quarter Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007 in Kansas City, Mo. The Chargers won 24-10. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)