Chargers return to Pittsburgh

January 5, 2009 at 12:00a.m.

After beating Indianapolis, a much-improved San Diego team hopes to avenge its Nov. 16 loss to the Steelers .

SAN DIEGO (AP) — With LaDainian Tomlinson perhaps hurt worse than the team is letting on and Darren Sproles sore from all the running he did in a thrilling wild-card win, the San Diego Chargers turned their thoughts toward the weather and the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense.

The Chargers finally jumped above .500 and earned a rematch against the Steelers by outlasting Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts 23-17 in overtime Saturday night.

They anticipate a cold, hard-hitting divisional-round game Sunday at Pittsburgh.

“That’ll be a factor in how you play the game, and when you get in those games, obviously running the ball and playing defense are critical,” coach Norv Turner said Sunday.

It will be a rematch of a Steelers win at home Nov. 16. Not only was it the first 11-10 score in NFL history, but it was the first of three straight losses that appeared to all but doom the Chargers.

“We did a great job defensively back there,” said Turner, whose team got into the playoffs after winning the AFC West at 8-8. “We gave up a lot of yards, but we had a great goal-line stand and we held them out. We had some missed opportunities on offense.

“As I said before the Indianapolis game, I believe we’re a lot better team now than we were six weeks ago or eight weeks ago. So that’s going to be a part of it. You’re in the playoffs and you’re playing a team that’s got home-field advantage and is an outstanding team. We’re going to have to be at our best.”

Sproles had 328 all-purpose yards against the Colts, including the winning 22-yard touchdown run in overtime.

“We’ve got him packed in ice back in the training room right now,” Turner said jokingly. “We’ll let him out on Friday.

“He was absolutely exhausted,” Turner added. “If we gave him the ball one more time, he would have done anything he could to get in the end zone. He’s an unbelievable guy and we’ll get him a lot of rest this week.”

Tomlinson, meanwhile, didn’t play after scoring on a 3-yard run in the second quarter. He looked uncomfortable standing on the sideline, appearing to have a hard time standing straight up.

The Chargers continue to say Tomlinson has a strained groin. Reports surfaced Saturday that Tomlinson has a detached tendon.

“It’s a strained groin. That’s what our medical report is,” Turner said.

“I don’t think it’s any worse, but it isn’t any better,” Turner said.