PLAYER NOTES

--WR Vincent Jackson has set career highs in catches (44) and yards (851); his six scoring catches ties another career mark.

--TE Antonio Gates hasn't caught a touchdown pass since Nov. 9, the last time the Chargers faced the Chiefs.

--WR Chris Chambers is coming off a game in which he didn't have a catch and has but two in the last two games. In two contests this year, Chambers has played and not recorded a catch.

--QB Philip Rivers is coming off a three-touchdown pass game and he has a career-high 26 this season. He needs seven more to tie Dan Fouts' team mark.

--FS Eric Weddle continues to draw praise from coach Norv Turner for his improved play of late. Weddle, in his first year as a starter, has 103 tackles, one off the team lead.

--RB Darren Sproles continues to play well, which will increase his value in the offseason. Sproles had two touchdown receptions in the win over Raiders -- he becomes an unrestricted free agent after the season.

GAME PLAN: The Chargers showed a real purpose in establishing the run with giving LaDainian Tomlinson a heavy dose of work in the first quarter. His 49 first-quarter rushing yards in the win over the Raider eclipsed his total in four complete games this season.

So the thinking is the Chiefs will get their own heavy heaping of Tomlinson considering they are ranked 31st in run defense and dead last in overall defense.

It seemed the Chargers collected a swagger from being so physical early in the game and it carried on through four quarters. Look for the Chargers to try and beat down the lowly Chiefs early with a physical approach, relying on the stout offensive line and the fit legs of Tomlinson.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Chargers run defense, which is led by a rejuvenated Jamal Williams, vs. a Chiefs running game featuring RB Larry Johnson. The Chargers nearly lost to the visiting Chiefs in their last meeting and that was without a suspended Johnson. The run defense gets no such luck on Sunday as a revved Johnson will be eager to show he is, and not LaDainian Tomlinson, the best back on the field. But the Chargers have showed some improved play in defending the run; Williams has been a force of late. But Johnson rushed for but 36 yards in 11 carries in last week's loss. Although against the Chargers, Johnson often does well. In eight games against the Chargers (five starts), Johnson has averaged 4.5 yards on 138 carries, which includes five touchdowns and three 100-yard games.

Chargers passing game and the pass protection vs. the Chiefs passive pass rush. The Chargers showed last week they can stretch the field when Philip Rivers is given time -- he had a 59-yard touchdown pass to Vincent Jackson. To get Jackson, Chris Chambers and Malcolm Floyd involved, Rivers is going to need the time to let them go through their double moves and such for the downfield strikes. Rivers needs the time to be able to go through his progressions at least once. Among the Chiefs' woes is their anemic pass rush, one that has spit out an NFL-low six sacks. By being so comfortable in the pocket, Rivers could pick the most wide-open target while picking on the Chiefs' pass defense and two rookie cornerbacks who'll be asked to stick with receivers longer than can be expected.

Chargers running game, with LaDainian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles, against a wobbly Chiefs defense. Tomlinson will take aim at the NFL's No. 31-ranked run defense. He's feeling good after a decent game last week and the weather might lend itself to some good-fashioned smash-mouth football at the hands of a shaky run defense that has a rookie in Glenn Dorsey at right tackle. But Sproles could also get the ball -- especially on a short pass which is like a run -- as he proved last week again how dangerous he is with the ball in his hands. The Chargers could generate a lot of offense out of their backfield on Sunday.

INJURY IMPACT: FB Mike Tolbert (shoulder) was a limited participant and could be down another week. Rookie Jacob Hester would get another start.

DT Jamal Williams was given his customary Wednesday off day and will play this week.

S Clinton Hart (neck) was a limited participant but it looks like he will go Sunday.

OLB Marques Harris (hamstring) worked part of the practice and will try to increase his workload Thursday.