Highlights from the Game

Those who think Antonio Gates has supplanted Tony Gonzalez as the league's best tight end got some support in Week 8 when Gates outperformed Gonzalez in San Diego's 28-20 victory against Kansas City. Gates had 10 receptions for 145 yards and three touchdowns, including a 35-yard score in the fourth quarter that pushed the Chargers' lead to 28-13. Gonzalez, meanwhile, had seven catches for 97 yards and one touchdown. LaDainian Tomlinson threw another touchdown pass -- his third of the season -- this time to Eric Parker from 17 yards out in the second quarter. San Diego (4-4) allowed 418 total net yards, but recorded four sacks and forced a key turnover when Trent Green fumbled after a sack deep in Chargers territory late in the fourth quarter. The Chargers led 21-3 at halftime.

LaDainian Tomlinson threw his third touchdown pass of the season today and the fourth of his career on a 17-yard pass to Eric Parker. It is the fourth different player to catch a touchdown pass from Tomlinson. Keenan McCardell and Justin Peelle caught the other touchdown passes from Tomlinson this season. Drew Brees caught a touchdown pass from Tomlinson in 2003.

Tomlinson has thrown touchdown passes in his last three pass attempts. The last player to throw three consecutive passes for touchdowns was Minnesota’s Daunte Culpepper, who threw three straight passes for touchdowns Dec. 24, 2004 against Green Bay.

Staff, Chargers.com
Sunday, October 30, 2005