By Bob Chan
Tomlinson stiff-armed Cleveland ’s Hall of Famer out of eighth place on the career rushing list and scored his 150th career TD on a 4-yard run as the Chargers won their seventh straight and 15th in a row in December, beating the Browns 30-23 on Sunday.
After Tomlinson passed Brown on an 11-yard burst up the middle in the fourth quarter, San Diego ’s running back pointed toward the 73-year-old who was sitting in a luxury suite. He patted his heart and offered a salute. 
Antonio Gates set a career high with 167 receiving yards for the Chargers who dragged their cleats early and only led 13-7 at halftime. But quarterback Philip Rivers led San Diego on touchdown drives of 85 and 83 yards in just over nine minutes in the third quarter to open a 27-7 lead. Tomlinson’s TD with 5:58 left in the third put the Chargers up by 20, and placed the running back in elite company among NFL greats. Tomlinson finished with 64 yards on 20 carries and has 12,321 yards. Tony Dorsett is seventh all-time. Rivers threw two TD passes—both on short routes to running backs—as the Chargers continued their surge following a 2-3 start.
With Dallas and Cincinnati looming on the schedule, San Diego couldn’t afford to overlook the Browns who have lost seven straight amid mounting injuries. At halftime, San Diego seemed to be in trouble. At the end of the third quarter, the Chargers had little concern. San Diego thoroughly dominated the Browns in the third, outgaining Cleveland 208-10—164-0 in passing yards—w
hile holding the ball for 12:06.
Rivers was 7 for 8 in the quarter with four completions going to Gates for 114 yards Brady Quinn threw three TD passes for the Browns, must get ready to play an angry Pittsburgh squad on Thursday. The Steelers lost at home to Oakland 27-24 on Sunday. The Browns, who had a costly turnover in the first half, made the score respectable by scoring 16 in the fourth as Quinn hit running back Jerome Harrison for two TDs. Phil Dawson’s 49-yard field goal with 39 seconds left made it 30-23, but Tomlinson recovered an onside kick with 38 seconds remaining.
Antonio Gates set a career high with 167 receiving yards for the Chargers who dragged their cleats early and only led 13-7 at halftime. But quarterback Philip Rivers led San Diego on touchdown drives of 85 and 83 yards in just over nine minutes in the third quarter to open a 27-7 lead. Tomlinson’s TD with 5:58 left in the third put the Chargers up by 20, and placed the running back in elite company among NFL greats. Tomlinson finished with 64 yards on 20 carries and has 12,321 yards. Tony Dorsett is seventh all-time. Rivers threw two TD passes—both on short routes to running backs—as the Chargers continued their surge following a 2-3 start.
With Dallas and Cincinnati looming on the schedule, San Diego couldn’t afford to overlook the Browns who have lost seven straight amid mounting injuries. At halftime, San Diego seemed to be in trouble. At the end of the third quarter, the Chargers had little concern. San Diego thoroughly dominated the Browns in the third, outgaining Cleveland 208-10—164-0 in passing yards—w
hile holding the ball for 12:06.Rivers was 7 for 8 in the quarter with four completions going to Gates for 114 yards Brady Quinn threw three TD passes for the Browns, must get ready to play an angry Pittsburgh squad on Thursday. The Steelers lost at home to Oakland 27-24 on Sunday. The Browns, who had a costly turnover in the first half, made the score respectable by scoring 16 in the fourth as Quinn hit running back Jerome Harrison for two TDs. Phil Dawson’s 49-yard field goal with 39 seconds left made it 30-23, but Tomlinson recovered an onside kick with 38 seconds remaining.
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