Antonio Gates, a luminous gift from the football gods to San Diego, is three touchdown catches from becoming the all-time NFL leader at tight end.
The Chargers (5-6) have five games left this season, the next one Sunday, at home, against the Tampa Bay Bucs.
Should Gates pass Tony Gonzalez, whom he teased long ago at Pro Bowl practices, where they were AFC teammates, Gates telling him he could relieve him in the first half, the No. 1 threat would be Rob Gronkowski.