Dominating Performance by O-Line Earns John Madden’s Top Honors

San Diego O-Line Provides Balance with Strong Run Blocking and Powerful Pass Protection; Chargers Now In Contention for Madden MVP Award Presented By Prilosec OTC CINCINNATI, OH (December 15, 2010)– Backed by the dominating performance of their offensive line, the San Diego Chargers embarked on three long touchdown-scoring drives in the first-half on their way to a 31-0 victory Sunday over the division-leading Kansas City Chiefs at Qualcomm Stadium. The Chargers now join the list of this year’s contenders for the 2nd annual Madden Most Valuable Protectors Award, presented by Prilosec OTC. The award honors the NFL’s best offensive line and will be presented on February 2, 2011 during the week of Super Bowl XLV which will be played on February 6 in North Texas.

The Madden Most Valuable ProtectorsAward recognizes the fundamental role offensive linemen play in their teams’ success by providing consistent and reliable protection day in and day out, just as Prilosec OTC provides 24-hour heartburn protection when used as directed. For more information on the Madden Most Valuable Protectors Award presented by Prilosec OTC, visit www.MaddenProtectorsAward.com.

Providing the protection up front for the Chargers this season are tackles JEROMEY CLARY (Kansas State) and MARCUS McNEILL (Auburn), guards KRIS DIELMAN (Indiana) and TYRONNE GREEN (Auburn) and center NICK HARDWICK (Purdue). Second year tackle BRANDYN DOMBROWSKI (San Diego State) and veteran center SCOTT MRUCZKOWSKI (Bowling Green) also saw action on the line Sunday afternoon. Offensive Line coach HAL HUNTER joined the Chargers in 2006.

“The San Diego offensive line set the tone early by physically dominating the line of scrimmage and helping the Chargers score touchdowns on three of their first four possessions,” said Pro Football Hall of Fame Coach JOHN MADDEN. “Up front, the line paved the way for the team to both run and pass for over 200 yards. It’s really hard to do much better than that. I was impressed by the balance the Chargers line was able to establish against a first-place opponent.”

Sunday afternoon, the Chargers were able to make good on three long first-half scoring drives, including two nine-play scoring drives and a ten-play drive that gave San Diego a 21-0 halftime lead. Quarterback PHILIP RIVERS (North Carolina State) completed 12-of-15 passes in the first half for 132 yards and tossed a pair of touchdown passes to MALCOM FLOYD (Wyoming). Rivers finished the game 18-of-24 for 226 yards as the Chargers outgained the Chiefs 426 yards to 67. San Diego rushed for a season-high 207 yards including fifty three or more yards from three different backs RYAN MATHEWS (Fresno State), DARREN SPROLES (Kansas State) and MIKE TOLBERT (Coastal Carolina). With the victory, San Diego moves into sole possession of second place in the AFC West, one game behind the Chiefs and a game ahead of the Oakland Raiders.

San Diego has now won five of their last six games to crawl back into the playoff picture. During that stretch of games, the Chargers have scored 177 points (29.5 average). Overall, San Diego ranks 2nd in the league in average yards per game (399.6) and passing yards per contest (286.2) and 3rd in average points per game (27.2).