1st Down: Limit LT

Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson might be the best football player in the league, not just the game's premier rusher. He is a pure triple threat, with 14 rushing touchdowns, 2 receiving scores and 3 passing touchdowns (his career passer rating is a perfect 158.3). San Diego can line him up all over the field, use him with or without a fullback, and generally the team's odds of winning increase with each time Tomlinson touches the ball. He causes problems for the opposition catching balls out of the backfield -- his 31 receptions are slightly down from seasons past -- and he can take over games by himself. Washington's run defense has been stout in recent weeks, but a tendency to give up big gains to running backs this season -- Tiki Barber, Shaun Alexander, Tatum Bell, Priest Holmes, Frank Gore -- could haunt the Redskins again.

The Redskins have a minus-13 turnover differential, tied for worst in the NFL, which tells you everything you need to know about this season. Early on, they bucked the odds and overcame the constant turnovers, but during their 2-5 rut the reality of their error-prone ways has taken hold. Despite outplaying AFC West clubs Kansas City, Denver and Oakland (last week) for much of those games, turnovers led to losses. Like Washington, San Diego struggles to create turnovers on defense (13, to the Redskins' 8), but the Chargers do a solid job protecting the football. Last Sunday, even a defensive touchdown was not enough to lead the Redskins to victory. Any chances of a late-season turnaround would be undermined by the continued fumbles, interceptions and penalties.

Washington's struggles to resurrect a pass rush have increased by the week, and a failure to make San Diego quarterback Drew Brees uncomfortable would be risky. Passers have had too much time, leading to long gains downfield. Even when the Redskins blitz, rarely do they actually make contact with the quarterback, and the lack of a physical specimen at defensive end -- someone who can create matchup issues with his speed, size and athletic ability -- has caught up to the club. Tackle Cornelius Griffin still leads the team with three sacks despite missing essentially the last four games with a hip flexor injury, and the once-effective cornerback blitz has been fruitless thus far. The lack of pressure also helps explain the turnover drought for the defense, and Washington's offense might need a short field from time to time to keep pace should this game become high scoring.

The Redskins must control the clock better than last week and cannot afford to abandon the run given the lack of a downfield presence since opponents began focusing on top wide receiver Santana Moss four weeks ago. Clinton Portis has run for 236 yards (5.2-yard average per carry) over the last two games, both defeats. That could have something to do with the fact the Redskins have thrown 67 passes in that span, compared to 45 rushes for Portis; the Redskins are 1-15 when throwing more than running the past two seasons, and it will be imperative to sustain some drives on the ground -- the Chargers' defense is the top-ranked unit in the league against the run -- to keep San Diego's quick-strike offense off the field.

Merriman (Maryland) aims to follow in the footsteps of three local products who helped lead Oakland to victory at FedEx Field last week. He is making an impact in San Diego's 3-4 defense, leading the team with seven sacks. Jansen has fought through playing with two broken thumbs much of the season and is only now getting full mobility of both thumbs. Protecting Mark Brunell's blindside will be of utmost import, and the veteran passer has taken his lumps thus far, with the sacks causing a slew of fumbles. Accounting for San Diego's quick and mobile linebackers will be a chore for the entire offensive line.

Gates is such an explosive force that the Redskins likely will rotate several of their more athletic defenders his way. Washington figures to get many of the snaps, as he has lined up against other top tight ends such as Jeremy Shockey and Tony Gonzalez this season. Gates may be the best of the bunch. The former basketball player left last week's game with a foot problem, and it might take another injury to slow him today. He leads the Chargers with 56 receptions and is first in the AFC in receiving yards among tight ends, more than 200 yards ahead of any other player at the position. Taylor is still learning his craft in his second season, and Marshall has proven capable of staying with some speedsters but lacks the technique of a cornerback or safety.

Chargers

Questionable: LB Steve Foley (abdomen); TE Antonio Gates (foot); WR Vincent Jackson (hamstring); LB Ben Leber (foot); T Roman Oben (foot); TE Justin Peelle (shoulder); RB Andrew Pinnock (shoulder).

Redskins

Out: TE Mike Sellers (ribs/back); WR James Thrash (hamstring). Questionable: RB Ladell Betts (knee); DT Cornelius Griffin (hip). Probable: LB LaVar Arrington (thigh); S Ryan Clark (ankle); DE Nic Clemons (knee); RB Clinton Portis (illness); DT Joe Salave'a (foot); T Chris Samuels (knee); S Sean Taylor (ankle).

AT FEDEX FIELD 1 P.M. LINE: Chargers by 3. TV: WUSA-9

TV ANNOUNCERS: Kevin Harlan and Randy Cross

RADIO: WJFK-FM-106.7, WSMD-FM-98.3, WFMD-930, WBQB-FM-101.5, WAGE-1200, WFVA-1230