Chargers clinch NFL playoff bye with rout of Titans

LaDainian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles each ran for two touchdowns and Philip Rivers threw for two more to spark San Diego past Tennessee 42-17 in a National Football League game.

Friday's victory secured the Chargers, who improved to 12-3, a first-round bye in the American Conference playoffs, trailing only undefeated Indianapolis. They will have a conference semi-final game at home next month.

Tennessee, trying to become the first team to reach the playoffs after losing their first six games, fell to 7-8, likely dooming their quest for the unprecedented season salvation.

San Diego's 18th win in a row in December matched Miami for the NFL's all-time record in the pivotal month, although the run that began in 2006 will have to wait until 2010 to be extended.

The Titans opened the scoring on a 46-yard Rob Bironas field goal but Vince Young threw two interceptions, lost a fumble and saw Tennessee commit penalty after penalty to cripple their cause while the Chargers kept rolling.

Tomlinson gave San Diego the lead for good on a one-yard touchdown run with 76 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

Rivers built the bulge with touchdown passes of 36 yards to Antonio Gates and three yards to Sproles and even though Young ran three yards for a score to pull the Titans within 21-10 at half-time, San Diego would not be denied.

Tomlinson scored on another one-yard scamper 5:11 into the third quarter, his 138th in a decade to break an Emmitt Smith NFL record, and Sproles followed with touchdown runs of one and nine yards to secure the blowout victory.

Tennessee's Chris Johnson ran 30 yards for a late touchdown to trim the final margin.