Give the Chargers credit this year for finding a way to win games when they aren’t at their best.
They barely beat the Vikings and Chiefs at home, winning largely due to the running game and defense. Consider it a good sign that they are surviving despite Philip Rivers struggling out of the gates.
Yes, Rivers is struggling so far by his standards. (Sounds weird to say.)
Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune notes that Rivers has more interceptions (6) than touchdowns (4) for only the second time in his career. He’s throwing for a lot of yards, but his still-excellent 7.8 yards-per-attempt average is down almost a full yard from last year. He led the league in the category the last three years.
“I think good teams find a way to win games what would be termed from the outside [as] ‘ugly.’ So, shoot, yeah, I’d love to have a few throws back, and I need to play a little better. . . . If I’d have played better, we’d still be 2-1. We’re still 2-1. This game’s over,” Rivers told Acee after Sunday’s win.
The injury issues around Rivers sound familiar. We don’t know when Antonio Gates will return. Malcom Floyd is banged up again.
The Chargers need Rivers to rise above the mess. Based on his track record, there’s little reason to think Rivers won’t improve soon.