SAN DIEGO -- Last week, Melvin Gordon couldn’t get a touch on four downs during a critical goal-line situation late in an eventual loss to the Denver Broncos.

No matter. The second-year running back served as the engine of San Diego’s offense on Sunday, helping the Chargers secure a much-needed 43-35 victory over the Tennessee Titans at Qualcomm Stadium.

Gordon eclipsed the 100-yard mark for a second straight game and for the third time this season, finishing with a career-high 196 yards on 32 carries, including a 1-yard run for a score. Gordon also had four catches for 65 yards, totaling 261 yards from scrimmage -- tied for the 15th most in franchise history.

The Wisconsin product now leads the league with 11 total touchdowns.

Gordon totaled 100 yards on 16 carries in the opening half, the first San Diego player to do that since LaDainian Tomlinson ran for 116 yards in the first half against the Detroit Lions on Dec. 16, 2007. Tomlinson was on hand to watch this game, as the Chargers honored members of the team’s hall of fame at halftime.

Gordon and the offense were buoyed by the Chargers’ opportunistic defense, which scored touchdowns off two Marcus Mariota turnovers -- one a Dwight Lowery 36-yard fumble return and the other a 33-yard interception return by Brandon Flowers for a score in the fourth quarter.

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While the Chargers leaned on Gordon on offense, Antonio Gates kept the chains moving. Slowed for the past month due to a lingering hamstring issue, he looked like his old self. That was appropriate, considering the Chargers wore their iconic powder blue uniforms.

With rookie tight end Hunter Henry out due to a knee injury, Philip Rivers leaned on Gates like old times. The 36-year-old tight end finished with five receptions for 75 yards, including a 13-yard touchdown reception -- his 108th career touchdown, putting Gates three behind Tony Gonzalez’s all-time mark of 111 for tight ends. Rivers and Gates have connected on 81 touchdowns, the most in NFL history for a quarterback-tight end tandem.

With the win, the Chargers improved to 4-5 on the year. They have taken 10 of their past 11 contests against the Titans.

The Chargers host the Miami Dolphins next week before taking a bye.