B+

Philip Rivers has a good day and could have had a much better one. Very efficient and no turnovers.

Running backs

A

LT and Darren Sproles become the first Chargers backs to rush for 100 yards in the same game.

Receivers

B

Chris Chambers is fine, but Antonio Gates suddenly is using his hands to tell time.

Offensive line

A

Chargers rush for 274 yards, and the quarterback is hit just once? One hurry? That's an A.

Defensive line

A -

Detroit had a flat tire, but there was no pass rush.

Linebackers

A -

With Shawne Merriman out, Shaun Phillips returns a pick for a touchdown. There was no pass rush.

Secondary

A

Antonio Cromartie is a revelation. Drayton Florence, the corner Cromartie replaced, is excellent. Five picks, three from the DBs.

Special teams

A

Mike Scifres basically sits. Nate Kaeding is aces. Coverage is good. Lions average pathetic 15.6 yards on 10 kickoff returns.

Coaching

A+

What do you know? Norv has these guys believing. Won 8 of 10. Oh, ye of little faith.

Next opportunity: Denver

A

A Christmas Eve game, which stinks. The Broncos have nothing to play for, the Chargers something.

Chargers' special effects

F

The music is terrible. And the scoreboard video showing the MGM lion purring like a kitten mocking Detroit strictly was bush league.

BY THE NUMBERS

2

Chargers running backs score two rushing TDs in the same game for the first time since Dec. 5, 1982 (James Brooks, Chuck Muncie)

3

Straight games for Tomlinson with two TDs and more than 115 yards rushing

26

Rushing yards allowed by Chargers, the fewest since Dec. 18, 2005 (Colts, 24)

41:32

Time of possession for Chargers, highest since Nov. 1, 1992 (42:47)

274

Rushing yards for Chargers, highest total since the 1970 merger and second-highest in club history (287 on Oct. 13, 1963)

10,487

Career rushing yards for Tomlinson, moving him past Eddie George and Tiki Barber into 19th place on the all-time list

– JAY POSNER