PHILADELPHIA — Chargers running back Michael Turner has become the uncle who shows up for Christmas dinner — on Dec. 18. Not only wasn't he expected, the only gift he brought was a bottle of wine — which he drank!

Sorry. But this is the bitterness LaDainian Tomlinson owners are feeling as Turner's workload increases. Tomlinson was taken somewhere in the top three in most fantasy drafts, but he's been mediocre or worse lately.

After a 31-carry, 131-yard effort in the season opener against Oakland, Tomlinson actually has fewer rushing yards than Turner, his backup. In the last three games, Tomlinson has 58 carries for 205 yards to Turner's 31 carries for 240 yards.

On Sunday, Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer made good on a preseason promise to play both players at the same time. What makes this unnerving to Tomlinson owners is that the formation, which often calls for Tomlinson to split out as a wide receiver, seemed to work. This is trouble for fantasy leagues that do not reward receptions.

"It forces teams to make a choice," Tomlinson said afterward. "If they put a linebacker on me, then I can get the ball in the flat with some space. If they don't, if they (put) a safety on me, then we can run the football, because they don't have as many people in the box."

Running that ball would be Turner, a third-year pro who at 5-10, 237 is slightly larger than Tomlinson.

Tomlinson remains a must play every week. But now, considering six teams are on bye in each of the next two weeks and San Diego's next two matchups are favorable (at San Francisco, at Kansas City), Turner has become a No. 2 fantasy option. As his numbers go up, Tomlinson's go down.

"We're not out there counting each other's yards," Turner said.

No, Michael, but

we are. Uncle, already.

Roster of the WeekWho: Victor Nguyen, manager, Vietnam Palace restaurant (North 11th St., near Vine, Philadelphia).

Record: 2-3

League (Size): The Philadelphia-based Over-30s League (12 teams)

Web site host: Yahoo.com

QB: *Byron Leftwich, Jaguars

RB: *LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers

RB: *Kevin Jones, Lions

RB: LenDale White, Titans

RB: Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars

RB: DeAngelo Williams, Panthers

WR: *Chris Chambers, Dolphins

WR: *Roy Williams, Lions

WR: *Andre Johnson, Texans

WR: Matt Jones, Jaguars

TE: *Jason Witten, Cowboys

K: *Jeff Wilkins, Rams

D/ST: *Eagles, Patriots

* Indicates usual starter.The ListHere are some things fantasy players need to be on the lookout for:• If Bobby Engram's unspecified thyroid condition keeps him out Sunday, Deion Branch will get his first start at wide receiver for the Seahawks. Engram generally moves into the slot on third downs, but Seattle coach Mike Holmgren said Branch will remain lined up on the outside — thus remaining a deep threat —while a host of others would line up in the slot.• Staying with the Seahawks, Matt Hasselbeck's value gets a bump upward with the return of tight end Jerramy Stevens. It's hoped the 6-7 Stevens plays at least 30 snaps Sunday against the Rams, but recent Seattle history with such things indicates he could play much more.• Not only is it now OK to pick up Detroit wide receiver Mike Furrey, he's worth considering if Roy Williams (back) cannot play.• The Lions' offensive line will be without three starters Sunday against visiting Buffalo. Play Kevin Jones at your own risk.• The optimism LaMont Jordan owners felt after two respectable weeks, including 128 rushing yards on Oct. 1, could be premature, as the Raiders are saying Justin Fargas will get more playing time. Fargas (whose claim to fame will always be that his father, Antonio, played Huggy Bear in the TV series "Starsky & Hutch") had eight carries for 63 yards Sunday.• If you are platooning quarterbacks, Chiefs quarterback Damon Huard is worth picking up. The Chiefs have several good matchups, including December games at Cleveland and Oakland. Yes, Oakland is second in passing yards allowed, but it is tied for 28th in touchdown passes allowed.• Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown will run for 100 yards Sunday against the Jets and their 28th-ranked rushing defense. Seeing as how New York has given up a league-worst 11 rushing touchdowns, Brown might even get into the end zone for Miami.• Don't give up on running back Edgerrin James just yet. The only chance the Cards have Monday night against the visiting Bears is to run the ball often, and James does average 22 carries per game. Granted, his 3.1 yards per carry doesn't figure to go up against the Bears, but it should in the subsequent weeks at Oakland and at Green Bay.• Bryant Johnson will start while Arizona stud wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald mends his hamstring. Noting the Cards' schedule (see above), Johnson is worth picking up, but benching this week.Contest WinnerA tip of the cap to Marcus Gibson, who won last week's contest. Gibson, from Feltonville, came closest to guessing the number of receiving yards Terrell Owens would accumulate against the Eagles Sunday. He forecast 49 yards, which was impressively close to the puny 45 Owens put up. For his troubles, Gibson wins a Daily News fantasy football T-shirt.