The 2006 San Diego Chargers season began with the team trying to improve on their 9–7 record in 2005. They finished the campaign as the No. 1 seed in the AFC ending the season at 14–2, best record in the NFL. The team would experience a home field playoff loss for the second time in the past three seasons losing in the final minutes to the New England Patriots 24–21. Running back LaDainian Tomlinson led the league in rushing with 1,815 yards, as well as setting NFL single-season records for rushing touchdowns (28) and total touchdowns (31).