would help carry the momentum from the 2004 success. The Chargers used their first pick to gain Shawne Merriman from the University of Maryland. Their next picks included Luis Castillo from Northwestern University, Vincent Jackson from Northern Colorado, Darren Sproles from Kansas State, Wesley Britt from Alabama University, Wes Sims from Oklahoma University, and center, Scott Mruczkowski from Bowling Green State. The Chargers lost their first game of the 2005 season to the Dallas Cowboys at home 28–24, and their second game 20–17 in Denver against the Broncos. Through Tomlinson's efforts, the Chargers won their third game at home against the New York Giants. Tomlinson took 220 yards in total, 3 rushing touchdowns, and threw for a touchdown helping the team to win 45–23. The Chargers then defeated the defending Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots 41–17. For their fifth game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Chargers wore their throwback uniforms. The Steelers defeated the Chargers 24–22 after Jeff Reed made a 40-yard field goal. The Chargers won the sixth game against the Oakland Raiders, 27–14. In the seventh game, against the Eagles in Philadelphia, the Chargers were leading 17–13 until late in the game. Then, a Chargers' field goal was blocked and returned 65 yards by Matt Ware. This led to a game-winning touchdown for the Eagles to prevail by 20 to 17. After winning three games and losing four, the Chargers won the following five games. These included a 28–20 win at home against the Kansas City Chiefs and a 31–26 away win against the New York Jets. The tenth week was a bye, followed by a 48–10 home win in throwback uniforms against the Buffalo Bills. Then, the team won against the Washington Redskins, 23–17 in overtime and the next week against the Oakland Raiders at home, 34–10. The Chargers were defeated 23–21 by the Miami Dolphins. On December 18, 2005, the Chargers defeated the Indianapolis Colts, 26–17 who had won their previous 13 games. The Kansas City Chiefs then defeated the Chargers 20–7, and the team was officially eliminated from playoff contention. The Chargers lost their final game of the season 23–7 to the Denver Broncos. The Chargers completed the 2005 season with a 9–7 record. 2006–2012: Rise of Philip Rivers In the 2006 season, the Chargers finished the season 14–2, their best record ever. Their only losses came against the Ravens and Chiefs. The team