For the Chargers, their motivation came in several different forms on Sunday, everything from Denver losing to the surprise that LaDainian Tomlinson found in his locker from his wife.

The career of Tomlinson definitely isn’t over and the race in the AFC west isn’t either.

Tomlinson rushed for 96 yards, his season high, and also scored two touchdown while continuing to add to his career scoring and rushing totals, as the Chargers defeated the Eagles 31-23 to tie a slumping Denver team for the AFC West lead.

When Tomlinson was asked if something had give him some motivation, he got emotional.

Tomlinson said, I’m not sure if I really would like to discuss this. I found out right before the game that my wife’s pregnant. In my locker she left me a present. Open immediately it said. I thought it would be a necklace, but it’s a pregnancy test.

This will be the couple’s first child. In 2005 LaTorsha Tomlinson had a miscarriage.

Tomlinson, fired up about becoming a father, passed by Franco Harris and Thurman Thomas to move into 12th place with 12,145 rushing yards for his career. The two touchdowns he scored gave him 146 total, moving him into third place all-time past Marcus Allen.

Tomlinson speaking of his latest accomplishments said, it’s surreal. He noted that in a trophy case he has a Harris autographed football. When I was growing up I watched all these guys. Being third all-time is mind boggling to me.

For a short time during the offseason it appeared that Tomlinson might become a casualty of the salary cap. However finally the two sides agreed to a contract that was reworked. In June he turned 30. During San Diego’s win in the season opener in Oakland he suffered a right ankle sprain, causing him to miss two games. It was the very time during his entire brilliant career that Tomlinson had missed a regular season game because of an injury.

All that really counts is I’m still effective, Tomlinson said. I still find ways to help my team win.

In San Diego, just minutes before the kickoff, Washington’s defeat of the Bronco 27-17 was announced. After that the Chargers won their fourth consecutive game.

Next Sunday the Broncos and Chargers, both with 6-3 records, will face off in Denver. San Diego four weeks ago seemed to be dead. They trailed the Broncos by 3 ½ games after losing to then undefeated Denver 34-23.

Philip Rivers, Chargers quarterback said, we didn’t realize things would change so fast. We did believe we could get back into it.

Brian Westbrook, Eagles running back, got knocked out of the game with another concussion. Westbrook had missed the two games prior to that after suffering a concussion on October 26 when the Eagles defeated Washington.

Andy Reid, Eagles coach said, with these kinds of circumstances, football is secondary. You need to look after this kid as well as his future to make sure that everything for him is OK before he goes back out there.

Eagle’s quarterback Donovan McNabb passed for 450 yards, his season high. He went 35 out of 55 and had two touchdowns late in the game. On the last play of the game Antonio Cromartie intercepted his pass inside the end zone.

Philadelphia (5-4) made it within the 10 yard line of the Chargers three times, but each time had to settle for David Akers field goals.

McNabb said, when you have an chances to score, that’s when you need to pound the ball in. We tried, definitely, but they deserve a lot of credit. Obviously they stopped us from being able to run the ball in.

On October 23, 2005, the lat time San Diego played Philadelphia, Tomlinson had only 7 yards rushing in 17 carries. For a game in the regular season it was his career low.

His previous high this season came three weeks ago in Kansas City when he rushed for 71 yards.

Early second quarter Tomlinson scored a touchdown on a run of 3 yards to give San Diego a lead of 14-0. Mid third quarter he ran right for 20 yards through the defense of the Eagles to make the score 21-6.

Rivers had a pair of 20 yard touchdown passes. During the first quarter he connected with Mike Tolbert, fullback, who was wide open. During the third quarter he threw his second touchdown pass to Legedu Naanee. Rivers went 20 for 25 for a total of 231 yards passing and had no interceptions. His quarterback rating for the game was 131.8.

Naanee got penalized for excessive celebration after he knelt in front of one of the Chargers’ cheerleaders and handed the ball to her. San Diego was forced to kick off at their 15 yard line. Naanee said he did it spontaneously.

The first three times the Eagles had the ball they got stuffed inside the 10 yard line of San Diego’s, including the time they had the football with first down and goal at the one yard line after Quentin Jammer was called for pass interference during the second quarter from the end zone. Philadelphia was forced to settle for field goals from 25, 25, and 18 yards.

Early fourth quarter McNabb connected with Jeremy Maclin on a pass of 5 yards, and then a 6 yard pass play to Brent Celek, tight end, with 7:12 remaining to get Philadelphia to within 28-23.