enshrinement speech in 2017, Tomlinson would describe Schottenheimer as the best coach he ever had. Tomlinson tied or broke numerous franchise records during the season. Tomlinson started the season strong with 21 carries for 114 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown to go along with three receptions for 45 receiving yards in the 34–6 victory over Cincinnati. In Week 4, he had 27 carries for 217 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns in a 21–14 victory over the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots, tying Gary Anderson for the most yards in a single game by a Charger. For his game against the Patriots, he was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for the first time in his career. In Week 7, he tied Marion Butts's record with 39 carries in a game, rushing for 153 yards and scoring the winning touchdown as San Diego beat the Oakland Raiders 27–21 in overtime. With five catches in the same game, he had 44 touches in total, breaking another Means record. In Week 13, Tomlinson had 37 carries for 220 yards and three touchdowns, as well as 11 catches for 51 yards, helping San Diego beat the Denver Broncos in overtime. He had the longest run of his career to that point one play after Denver had taken a 10–0 lead, going for 76 yards and setting up his first touchdown. Tomlinson's rushing yardage broke the record he had tied in Week 4, while his 271 yards from scrimmage broke Wes Chandler's Charger record for a regular season game. With 48 touches, he broke the franchise record he had set in Week 7 and also tied James Wilder's NFL record. Denver had entered the game with the league's top-ranked run defense. For his game against the Broncos, he earned his second AFC Offensive Player of the Week nomination. San Diego was 8–4 after beating the Broncos, but lost their last four in a row to miss the playoffs. Tomlinson nonetheless passed Means' franchise record for rushing yardage in a season with three games still to play, and finished with 1,683 yards, second-most in the league. His yards per carry improved by almost a full yard, to 4.5, while his 14 rushing touchdowns were another franchise record. As well as his rushing feats, Tomlinson also tied Ronnie Harmon's Charger record for receptions by a running back, with 79. He again led