Tomlinson, Rivers lead Chargers to 42-10 fourth-quarter lead over mistake-prone Titans

Chargers lead Titans 42-10 early in 4th quarter

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Darren Sproles ran for two scores and caught one of Philip Rivers’ two touchdown passes to help the San Diego Chargers take a 42-10 lead over the mistake-prone Tennessee Titans early in the fourth quarter Friday night.

San Diego scored touchdowns on six of its first eight possessions to move closer to securing a first-round bye in the playoffs.

The Titans, hoping to become the first team to make the postseason after losing its first six games, reverted to their early season form. Quarterback Vince Young turned the ball over three times — one fumble, two interceptions — and the Titans committed a series of momentum-turning penalties.

Sproles had touchdown runs of 9 and 1 yard, while LaDainian Tomlinson added two scores of his own as the Chargers looked to continue their perfect run in December.

The Chargers entered the game having won 17 straight games in December since 2006. They were well on their way to tying the Miami Dolphins’ record for most consecutive wins in a single month behind an explosive offense that did whatever it wanted against the Titans.

Tomlinson got the Chargers going with a 1-yard plunge in the first quarter and put San Diego firmly in control with another 1-yard run in the third quarter that gave the AFC West champions a 28-10 lead.

Sproles added his second touchdown of the night on a 9-yard run on San Diego’s next possession as the Chargers moved with ease against Tennessee’s banged up defense. By the time he ran over from 1-yard out on the first play of the fourth quarter, fans were already heading toward the exits.

San Diego outgained the Titans 168 to 24 in the third quarter to all but ensure at least one home game in the playoffs.

Rivers, perfect in December during his career, threw second-quarter touchdown passes to Sproles and Antonio Gates as the Chargers built a 21-10 halftime lead.

Tomlinson’s first touchdown was the 137th of his career, breaking Emmitt Smith’s NFL record for rushing touchdowns in a decade.

The Titans had nine penalties through quarters, matching their season high for penalties in a game.

Tennessee running back Chris Johnson, looking for his 10th straight 100-yard game had 89 yards on 15 carries through the first three quarters, including a dazzling 25-yard run on his first carry in which he spun San Diego’s Antonio Cromartie around before being tackled.

Tennessee played without leading tackler Keith Bulluck, out for the season with a left knee injury, snapping his streak of 127 consecutive starts. Bulluck, who will be an unrestricted free agent next year, received a loud ovation from the crowd at LP Field when he was introduced during an early break in the action.