Game Info: 4:15 pm EST Sun Dec 30, 2007
TV: CBS
The San Diego Chargers have the league's leading rusher, a defense getting healthier and the inside track for the AFC's No. 3 seed in the playoffs.
The Oakland Raiders, meanwhile, are hoping to see something from their top overall pick that will make them believe they can be a postseason team in the future.
The Raiders will give JaMarcus Russell his first start at quarterback.
With a win, San Diego (10-5) will host either Tennessee or Cleveland in the wild-card round. More importantly, the Chargers wouldn't have to face Jacksonville, which handed them their last loss on Nov. 18.
In the last meeting, Tomlinson matched a career high with four rushing scores among 24 carries for 198 yards in a 28-14 win on Oct. 14. It was San Diego's eighth straight win over Oakland.
There is a chance Tomlinson may not play much to ensure he remains healthy for the postseason. He had 107 yards, including a 17-yard scoring run, before sitting out most of the second half with a tender hamstring on Monday night in a 23-3 win over Denver.
Tomlinson moved past injured Pittsburgh running back Willie Parker to become the league rushing leader with 1,418 yards - 113 more than his closest pursuer, Minnesota rookie Adrian Peterson.
The Raiders have been outscored 77-31 in three straight home losses to the Chargers. Last season, Aaron Brooks and Andrew Walter combined to go 8-for-19 for just 96 yards in a 27-0 defeat there to San Diego.
The Chargers HAVE to win to keep the momentum going and on their side.
They also have to take advantage of Rusell and preassure him as much as they can, I hope the defense comes as hungry as they looked vs. Denver.
I say the Chargers win by 10+ pts.
