Passing Payton is a rush for Tomlinson

A week ago, San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson joked that joining the 10,000-yard signaled only that he was getting old.

Sunday, when he reached another milestone in a 24-20 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, however, it was no joking matter.

Tomlinson had two touchdowns rushing to go along with his 177 yards and moved past Walter Payton on the rushing touchdowns list with 111.

“You’ve got to understand, the whole reason I wanted to even play football was seeing him,” Tomlinson said. “I remember watching everything he did, even off the field, the way he talked to kids, the way he talked to people, the way he carried himself.

“It’s definitely an honor just to be mentioned in the same breath with, in my opinion, the greatest running back that has ever played the game.”

Rushing up the list

Edgerrin James of the Arizona Cardinals had 114 yards rushing in a 27-21 victory over the Cleveland Browns, only his second 100-yard game of the season, and that was enough to vault him past O.J. Simpson and Corey Dillon into 14th place on the all-time rushing list.

James has 11,307 yards and is 45 behind John Riggins for 13th place. Also moving up the list was Fred Taylor of the Jacksonville Jaguars, who cracked the top 20 with his 104-yard performance against the Indianapolis Colts.

Taylor now has 10,325 yards for his career.

Justin time

The Oakland Raiders have won consecutive games for the second time this season -- the first time since 2002 that they have had two winning streaks in a season.

And Justin Fargas has played a major role.

Fargas had 146 yards and a touchdown Sunday against Denver. Last week against Kansas City, he had 139 yards and a touchdown.

Since taking over the starting job from LaMont Jordan on Nov. 4, Fargas has 530 yards rushing and three touchdowns in five games. He has already set career highs with 863 yards and three touchdowns.

Bracing for success

Playing his first game in three weeks made Adrian Peterson a bit uneasy, especially since he was wearing a knee brace to protect a torn ligament.

That didn’t last long as the NFL’s leading rusher picked up where he left off with 116 yards rushing and two touchdowns.

He acknowledged that wearing the brace was awkward but said it didn’t take long to get used to it.

“There really wasn’t any hesitation,” he said. “After the first couple of plays, I was back in my groove.”

Down and out

Five of the last six teams to lose the Super Bowl have missed the playoffs the following season and the Chicago Bears are well on their way to making it six out of seven after blowing a late lead in a 21-16 loss to the New York Giants that dropped the defending NFC champions to 5-7.

“We’ll continue to play until they tell us we’re out of it,” Bears Coach Lovie Smith said. “Winning out would’ve pretty much guaranteed us getting in. . . . You just have to keep playing and see what happens.”

Milestones

St. Louis Rams receiver Isaac Bruce caught four passes for 31 yards and passed Cris Carter for fifth place on the all-time list with 14,911 yards. . . . Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Hines Ward caught two touchdown passes to break John Stallworth’s team record of 64 touchdown receptions.

Monday preview

The New England Patriots (11-0) continue their quest for the first 16-0 season in NFL history as they visit the Baltimore Ravens (4-7), who have lost five consecutive games.

The Ravens have given up 28.6 points a game during their losing streak, which is the longest in franchise history. That’s bad news against a Patriots offense that leads the NFL in scoring at 40.18 points per game.

Injury report

Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub dislocated his left shoulder against the Tennessee Titans and will be reevaluated today. . . . Titans running back LenDale White dislocated the middle finger on his right hand and required stitches. . . . Detroit Lions receiver Roy Williams injured his right knee in the second quarter against the Vikings and did not return. . . . Arizona Cardinals receiver Anquan Boldin injured his foot against the Browns and did not return. . . . Miami Dolphins running back Jesse Chatman aggravated an ankle injury and missed most of the second half against the Jets. . . . Texans offensive linemen Fred Weary and Chris White sustained season-ending leg injuries. . . . Kansas City quarterback Damon Huard hurt his hand late in the fourth quarter against San Diego. . . . Washington receiver Antwaan Randle El sat out the first game of his six-year NFL career when a hamstring injury sidelined him against the Bills.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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peter.yoon@latimes.com

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Keeping score

With two rushing touchdowns Sunday, LaDainian Tomlinson, at left, moved past Walter Payton into third place on the career list. The career leaders in rushing touchdowns (*active player):

*--* No. Player Team(s) Seasons Games 164 Emmitt Smith Cowboys/Cardinals 1990-2004 226 123 Marcus Allen Raiders/Chiefs 1982-1997 221 111 LaDainian Tomlinson* Chargers 2001- 107 110 Walter Payton Bears 1975-1987 190 106 Jim Brown Browns 1957-1965 118 104 John Riggins Jets/Redskins 1971-1985 175 100 Marshall Faulk Colts/Rams 1994-2005 176 99 Barry Sanders Lions 1989-1998 153 99 Shaun Alexander* Seahawks 2000- 115 *--*

Source: NFL