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Chargers Get No. 3 AFC Seed

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By JOSH DUBOW, The Associated Press

Published: December 31, 2007

OAKLAND, Calif. - Norv Turner won in his return to Oakland, LaDainian Tomlinson captured his second straight rushing title, and most importantly, the San Diego Chargers clinched the third seed in the AFC playoffs.

After struggling at the start of the season, the Chargers have hit their stride heading into the postseason.
Philip Rivers threw two touchdown passes, Tomlinson wrapped up the rushing title with 56 yards, and San Diego spoiled JaMarcus Russell's first career start with a 30-17 victory against the Raiders on Sunday.

By ending the season with six straight wins, the Chargers (11-5) beat out Pittsburgh for the No. 3 seed. San Diego will host either Tennessee or Cleveland on Sunday at 4:30 p.m.

"This one has been more difficult than last year, obviously," Tomlinson said. "Things went our way last year. Last year seemed like we breezed through the whole season. This year, there was a lot of adversity. It was more difficult, so I think for me, it's even more special. That's because we really had to work for it. There was times when it seemed like it just wasn't going to happen, and then we find ourselves in this position at the end of the year. It feels great."

Now San Diego turns its attention to trying to win its first playoff game since going to the Super Bowl following the 1994 season. The postseason was a bitter disappointment last season when the Chargers lost their first game at home to New England after going 14-2 during the regular season.

The playoff loss to the Patriots led to Marty Schottenheimer getting fired, a decision that was questioned heavily when the Chargers got off to a 5-5 start under Turner. It will take a win in the postseason to put those questions to rest.

"Everything we've done this season has been great," defensive lineman Igor Olshansky said. "But we have to get that W in the playoffs. We have all the tools in the locker room to beat any team."

Tomlinson caught a 7-yard TD pass but didn't have nearly the success he usually does against the Raiders as Turner limited him to 15 carries to make sure he's fresh. But that was enough for L.T. to finish the season with 1,474 yards rushing, 133 ahead of Minnesota's Adrian Peterson.

Warren Sapp, whose forced fumble set up Oakland's first TD, said after the game he is contemplating retirement after 13 seasons and would likely make a decision within a week.

"If that was the last time Raiders fans got a look at Warren Sapp on the field, I wanted it to be something special," the former Buc said.

SD-Tomlinson 7 pass from Rivers (Kaeding kick), 9:53.

Oak-Rhodes 1 run (Janikowski kick), 4:31.

Second Quarter

SD-Chambers 19 pass from Rivers (Kaeding kick), :38.

Oak-FG Janikowski 53, :00.

Third Quarter

SD-FG Kaeding 36, 12:51.

SD-Tucker fumble recovery in end zone (Kaeding kick), 7:12.

Oak-Porter 32 pass from Russell (Janikowski kick), 1:19.

Fourth Quarter

SD-FG Kaeding 31, 13:36.

SD-FG Kaeding 24, 1:46.

A-61,706

RUSHING-San Diego, Tomlinson 16-56, Turner 11-42, Sproles 2-20, Rivers 3-2, Volek 1-0. Oakland, Rhodes 29-122.

PASSING-San Diego, Rivers 13-23-0-135, Volek 2-4-0-5. Oakland, Russell 23-31-1-224.

RECEIVING-San Diego, Gates 6-62, Chambers 3-49, Jackson 2-13, Sproles 2-(minus 3), Davis 1-12, Tomlinson 1-7. Oakland, Miller 8-84, Rhodes 6-42, Griffith 3-18, Porter 2-36, Madsen 2-21, Curry 1-16, Higgins 1-7.

MISSED FIELD GOAL-Oakland, Janikowski 49 (WR).

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