Following his fifth 300-yard game of the season, Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers said he wishes he was throwing for less.
“We’ve been behind in games,” Rivers said after Sunday’s game via Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union Tribune. “I certainly would trade it for a lot more wins.”
Rivers managed to win Sunday against the Titans 33-25, despite missing his top four receivers (Vincent Jackson, Malcom Floyd, Legedu Naanee, Buster Davis.) Through eight games, Rivers has thrown for 2,649 yards.
That’s the most in NFL history through eight games and easily on pace to break the all-time single season yardage record for a season. It’s a little early to start tracking stats like this, but Rivers is halfway home.
Rivers’ favorite target, Antonio Gates, has an even better chance to make some history. Despite a toe injury slowing him down, Gates caught five passes for 123 yards and a touchdown against the Titans.
Through eight games, he has 40 catches, 663 yards, and nine scores. (That’s a Pro Bowl season if he stopped now.) Gates is on pace to break the single season yardage record for a tight end (1,290 by Kellen Winslow Sr.). Gates also could obliterate the single season record for touchdowns at the position, which is 13. Gates shares that mark with Dallas Clark and Vernon Davis.
With Jackson gone all season, Gates has faced defenses geared up to stop him. He’s battled a nasty injury the last two weeks. Yet he’s putting together his best season of what surely will be a Hall of Fame career.