Colts to keep Rivers, Chargers scuffling
As pitiful as San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers has looked at times, one has to wonder why it’s happening. Not long ago, he was pretty good.
Last season, Rivers took control of the offense, put up solid numbers and helped the Chargers finish the regular season an NFL-best 14-2. It certainly helped that running back LaDainian Tomlinson was setting records.
Rivers passed for 3,388 yards with 23 touchdowns and only nine interceptions. But he already has eight interceptions in eight games, and his confidence seems lost.
Last week, in a 35-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, Rivers alternated mimicking a scared cat and an old lady. He danced around in the pocket, fearful of the pass rush, and repeatedly tossed weak passes at the feet of his receivers, showing the arm strength of a senior citizen. He completed 19 of 42 passes and walked away hanging his head.
It all can’t be Norv Turner’s fault, can it? Turner widely is regarded as a master when it comes to teaching quarterbacks, and Rivers was supposed to blossom under his guidance. Yet the opposite has happened. Rivers is getting worse every week, and Tomlinson is getting more frustrated.
It’s obvious that Chargers general manager A.J. Smith blundered by firing Marty Schottenheimer and hiring Turner, who never has been a successful head coach.
Turner is not solely to blame for dragging an elite team into mediocrity. He doesn’t coach the defense, which was humiliated as Vikings rookie Adrian Peterson rushed for a league-record 296 yards.
But San Diego will not be a strong contender as long as Turner is in charge. He’s a feeble leader, and his team is reflecting his attitude.
At 4-4, the Chargers still are the favorites to win the laughable AFC West, and they probably will get it turned around enough to make the playoffs. They just won’t go anywhere once they get there.
They no longer are in the same class with New England, Indianapolis and Pittsburgh in the AFC. The Colts, despite key injuries, should cover as 31/2-point road favorites over San Diego on Sunday.
Even with wide receiver Marvin Harrison still questionable with a knee injury, Peyton Manning has the support to take advantage of a Chargers defense minus its swagger.
Indianapolis’ defense made the Patriots look beatable, and ends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis will pressure Rivers into more poor throws.
Four more prayers for Week 10 (home team in CAPS):
• Rams (+111/2) over SAINTS — St. Louis is an ugly underdog at 0-8 straight up and 1-7 against the spread. But the Rams are coming off a bye, running back Steven Jackson is back, and New Orleans is
2-7 against the spread as a home favorite the past two seasons.
• Vikings (+6) over PACKERS — The underdog is 14-1-1 against the spread in this series. That trend and the running of Peterson is just enough to get behind Minnesota. The problem is Brett Favre is far better than whatever clown the Vikings start at quarterback.
• Eagles (+3) over REDSKINS — Washington won the first meeting in September, but the Redskins have swept the Eagles just once in the past 18 years. The outlook is bleak for coach Andy Reid and quarterback Donovan McNabb, but that means Philadelphia will come out fighting. The Redskins, the only team in the league without a touchdown pass to a wide receiver this season, might be without Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El.
• GIANTS (+11/2) over Cowboys — Rested off a bye week, the Giants are putting everything into this game. New York’s defense has improved dramatically since a 45-35 loss at Dallas in the season opener, and Brandon Jacobs has revived the running game. It’s tough to bet against Tony Romo and a team so hot, but this might be the last regular-season game the Cowboys lose.
Last week: 1-4 against the spread
Season: 20-21-4
Review-Journal sportswriter Matt Youmans can be reached at 387-2907 or myoumans@reviewjournal.com.
