Home for the holidays: Chargers secure home-field edge through the playoffs

By: JAY PARIS - Staff Writer | Sunday, December 31, 2006 11:14 PM PST ∞

Chargers #21 La Dainian Tomlinson pumps his fist in victory as he heads to the locker room after the win over the Cardinals on Sunday.
JAMIE SCOTT LYTLE Staff Photographer
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SAN DIEGO ---- Happy New Year? Maybe the Chargers aren't so anxious to say adios to 2006. Why not? They capped the year and the regular season on Sunday with a 27-20 victory over the Arizona Cardinals, running their winning streak to 10 and completing an undefeated home schedule.

The Chargers also clinched home-field advantage through the AFC playoffs, with a first-round bye already tucked in their pocket. Their 14 regular-season wins, against two losses, sets a team mark.

"All in all, it was a pretty good day for the San Diego Chargers,'' said a soggy coach Marty Schottenheimer, after he was soaked with a celebratory cooler of water in honor of his 200th victory.

But Sunday's game before 66,492 left a mark as well.

Quarterback Philip Rivers tweaked his foot in the second quarter when he was sacked by the Cardinals' Chike Okeafor. He left briefly, then came back to throw two touchdown passes before giving way to Billy Volek late in the third quarter.

Running back LaDainian Tomlinson also exited early when his leg was stepped on midway through the third quarter.

While neither injury is considered serious, it's never a comforting sight when two Pro Bowlers are hobbling on the eve of the playoffs.

"It just got caught behind me,'' Rivers said of his right foot. "I just got caught in a bad position.''

Tomlinson's ailment was even less of a concern in a jubilant Chargers' locker room.

"It's nothing," said Tomlinson, who earned the Chargers' first NFL rushing crown by gaining 66 yards to finish with 1,815. "It wasn't the reason I came out of the game.''

Ah, yes, the game.

It was important in that the Chargers needed a win ---- or a Baltimore loss ---- to seize the AFC's top seed. With their eighth win in as many home games, the Chargers guaranteed any AFC playoff games they are a party to will take place before their partying fans.

"It's always good to have home-field advantage throughout the playoffs,'' cornerback Quentin Jammer said. "Especially when you play well at home.''

Home is where the Chargers' heart resides, and they proved it once again ---- even though they trailed briefly when Arizona's Edgerrin James busted through from 8 yards to open the scoring.

But 14 second-quarter points, coming on Rivers' touchdown passes to Antonio Gates (33 yards) and Vincent Jackson (14) allowed the team to breathe.

The Chargers really exhaled in the third quarter when the special teams added a score, as Tim Dobbins recovered Bryant Johnson's muffed punt return in the Cardinals' end zone for a 24-7 lead.

"I was surprised to see the ball bounce off the returner's arms,'' Dobbins said. "That doesn't happen every day.''

Same goes with directing all playoff traffic through San Diego; the Chargers last won a home playoff game on Jan. 8, 1995, en route to their first ---- and only ---- Super Bowl appearance.

First, the Chargers had pull the plug on the Cardinals (5-11).

Arizona did make it a one-possession deficit when Neil Rackers delivered a 20-yard field goal with three minutes remaining. But with Volek and running back Michael Turner taking over as key components of the offense, the Chargers ran out the clock.

By the time midnight fell Sunday night, the Chargers were hopeful that chapters remain in what has been a Cinderella season ---- although Rivers, who completed 19-of-24 passes for 231 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, was likely snoozing when the ball dropped.

"I haven't seen midnight, I want to say, in two years,'' he said. "Certainly we have a lot of things to be excited about. It's certainly nice to be able to enjoy the win.''

In fact, the Chargers will embrace two off days and a football-free Sunday before getting their teeth into the playoffs.

"The season, really, is just starting,'' Jackson said. "This is our fourth quarter.''

Which means while that 14-2 record looks spiffy, it doesn't mean squat if the Chargers don't sweep their three potential remaining contests.

"That's the amazing thing about this game,'' Rivers said. "We've played 20 games now, counting the preseason. Now it's really one for everything because if you don't win that one, you don't have two more to play.''

Contact staff writer Jay Paris at jparis8@aol.com.