Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers insists that he’s playing as well as ever right now, despite putting up passing numbers that strongly suggest otherwise.
After throwing three interceptions in Sunday’s loss to the Packers, Rivers said there’s nothing wrong — nothing wrong with his arm, nothing wrong with the Chargers’ offense, nothing wrong in his personal life — that’s leading to his many mistakes this year.
“Other than statistically, there’s nothing different,” Rivers said. “I’m a year older, and that’s about it. I’ve got one more child but there are no injuries. There’s nothing different.”
But the statistics don’t lie: Through eight games this year, Rivers has 14 interceptions. The most interceptions he’s ever had in any 16-game season was 15. Rivers’ 14 picks lead the league, with his three lost fumbles he leads the league in total turnovers as well. Rivers’ completion percentage, yards per pass and touchdown rate have all fallen from last season as well, and his poor play has led to speculation that he has an undisclosed injury. Rivers insists that’s not the case.
“I appreciate everyone trying to come up with a theory and a reason that I’m hurt,” Rivers said. “I’m not hurt. I’ve thrown a handful of picks that I normally don’t throw and I’ll probably throw some more throughout my career. There won’t always be a reason why.”
The problem for the Chargers is that not knowing what’s wrong with Rivers will make it harder to fix. As the Chargers fight to win the AFC West, that’s a problem.