Tomlinson puts on another show

SAN DIEGO – It was an electrifying run in a charged-up season.

LaDainian Tomlinson turned a simple off-tackle play into an 85-yard touchdown run, lighting up Qualcomm Stadium and carrying the San Diego Chargers to a 20-9 win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night.

“It was absolutely perfect,” Tomlinson said. “I don’t know if you can draw it any better. Once I saw the crease, and the safety took a bad angle, I felt like I was running track again. … I felt like I could go all the way.”

Sort of sums up San Diego’s season to date.

The AFC West champion Chargers (12-2) won their eighth straight and kept the inside track to home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs. They tied franchise records for wins in a season, last accomplished with a 12-4 record in 2004, and for their winning streak.

Tomlinson finished with 199 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries to take over the NFL rushing lead from Kansas City’s Larry Johnson. It was Tomlinson’s eighth straight 100-yard game.

The Chiefs (7-7), playing four nights after the death of their owner, Lamar Hunt, had their wild-card chances severely damaged.

And this night, as so many Chargers games have this season, belonged to Tomlinson.

One play after Chargers long snapper David Binn recovered a blocked punt, Tomlinson burst through a huge hole and outraced cornerback Patrick Surtain and linebacker Derrick Johnson down the left sideline for his second TD.

And to think, Chiefs defensive end Tamba Hali called the Chargers “a finesse team” eight weeks ago after Kansas City beat San Diego 30-27 at Arrowhead Stadium.

The Chargers haven’t lost since.

Philip Rivers was a pedestrian 8 of 23 passing for 97 yards, with two interceptions and no touchdowns. Trent Green was 23 of 41 for 185 yards and one interception for the Chiefs.