NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Contradicting TV footage that captured what appeared to be evidence of an icy relationship, running back LaDainian Tomlinson and quarterback Philip Rivers were acting like the best of chums after the Chargers' improbable 23-17 overtime win Sunday over the Tennessee Titans.

Dressing side-by-side after the game at LP Field, the duo exchanged smiles and small talk as Rivers tugged on his boots and jeans and Tomlinson slid into one of his trademark suits.

"I love you, man," Tomlinson said with a grin as he departed a media conference room.

"I love you, too," Rivers answered as he took his turn at the podium.

Sweet as that exchange was, CBS cameras showed an altogether different picture near the end of the third quarter. The Chargers were trailing 10-3 when replays showed Rivers plopping down on a bench next to Tomlinson, who immediately got up and walked away.

When asked about the sideline incident, Tomlinson said he had no problems with Rivers and suggested the replays might have been showing something altogether different.

"I don't even know that that happened, as far as Philip coming down and me getting up," Tomlinson said. "I think the one thing that you may be talking about is I was actually talking to (fullback Lorenzo Neal), and we were talking about a play where I thought we could've got more yards if Lorenzo would've tried to block the linebacker.

"I just got up to go say something to the linemen, just to tell them 'Guys, listen, we're about to break some. Keep it going.'

"I don't know how (the television broadcast) made it seem."

Rivers and Tomlinson have a history of what they have described as "competitive desire exchanges" or "competitive talk," depending on which one you ask.

In an early-season loss in Green Bay that dropped the Chargers to 1-2, TV cameras caught Tomlinson and Rivers exchanging heated words.

They have had animated exchanges in other games this season, usually after a pass play intended for Tomlinson goes awry.

Despite poor play by the offense through three-plus quarters on Sunday, Tomlinson insists there was no lost love on the sideline or in the huddle.

"No. I thought we were doing OK as far as trying to get things together," he said. "I mean, Philip, it was tough throwing the ball today. Them guys were hitting him every time he threw the ball. I can see that."