Tomlinson’s early touchdown gives Chargers 7-3 lead over Titans

Chargers take 7-3 lead over Titans

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — LaDainian Tomlinson capped a long drive with a 1-yard touchdown run to give the San Diego Chargers a 7-3 lead over the Tennessee Titans after the first quarter Friday night.

Tomlinson’s 137th career rushing touchdown ended a 13-play, 76-yard drive in which the Titans did their best to help the Chargers out.

Tennessee was flagged four times on the drive, including three offsides penalties and a pass-interference flag on Cortland Finnegan that gave the Chargers a first down at the Tennessee 7. Tomlinson bulled over three plays later.

Tomlinson broke the record for most rushing touchdowns in a decade. Emmitt Smith ran for 136 touchdowns for the Dallas Cowboys in the 1990s.

The touchdown was an emphatic answer to Tennessee’s opening drive that ended with Rob Bironas’ 46-yard field goal.

The drive featured a heavy dose of running back Chris Johnson, whose bid for a 10th straight 100-yard game got off to a good start. He ripped off a 25-yard gain on Tennessee’s first play, spinning defensive back Antonio Cromartie around like a top before being tackled by Quentin Jammer.

Johnson added a 14-yard reception to put the Titans in field-goal range. The drive stalled when Nate Washington dropped a tough pass from Vince Young on third down. Bironas followed by sneaking the ball over the crossbar in cold and blustery conditions at LP Field.

The Chargers have already wrapped up the AFC West and came in looking for their 18th straight win in December, which would tie the Miami Dolphins’ record for most consecutive wins in a month. The Dolphins won 18 straight in November from 1970-74.

The Titans are attempting to become the first team to make the playoffs after starting the season 0-6.

Tennessee is playing 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.