Chargers rout Lions
Published 10:11 pm Sunday, December 16, 2007
SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Chargers (9-5) repeated as AFC West champions by beating the punchless Detroit Lions 51-14 for their fourth straight win and eighth in 10 games.
LaDainian Tomlinson had 116 yards and two scores on 15 carries; the rout was so complete that L.T. got the second half off, which allowed Darren Sproles to run for 122 yards and two TDs. It was the first time in Chargers history two backs rushed for more than 100 yards in the same game.
Detroit’s Jon Kitna tied his career-high with five interceptions. Three of them came in the span of six plays in the first half, leading to 17 points, as the Lions (6-8) lost their sixth in a row. Detroit had six turnovers, setting up 27 points.
Cornerback Antonio Cromartie broke a 46-year-old Chargers record with his 10th interception of the season, tops in the NFL. Cromartie’s 10 picks have come in the last nine games, and he’s been a starter for the last six. Cromartie also recovered a fumble on a kickoff.
Tomlinson passed Eddie George and Tiki Barber and took over 19th place on the career rushing list with 10,487 yards. His two touchdowns give him 127, moving him past Jim Brown (126) for seventh place all-time. He also joined Eric Dickerson as the only players in NFL history to rush for more than 1,200 yards in their first seven seasons.
