Good morning.
The San Diego Chargers dropped five spots to No. 7 in the latest ESPN NFL power rankings after the team’s 23-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs last week.
And the Chargers face the No. 1 team in this week’s poll, the Denver Broncos, on Thursday.
However, the Chargers have a little bit of history working in their favor. Quarterback Philip Rivers is 10-6 all-time as a starter during the regular season against the Broncos, winning four of his last five contests at Sports Authority Field.
In this ESPN Insider piece, NFL Insider Mike Sando gives the Chargers a 35 percent chance to win the AFC West. Sando: “Like Denver, San Diego has a defense with improved talent and a quarterback playing at an MVP level. The Chargers know how to play the Broncos. They have held Denver to 24 or fewer points twice since the start of last season. Seattle and Kansas City are the only other teams to do so.”
Bill Barnwell of Grantland speculates that Chargers running back Donald Brown could be the next Percy Harvin – shipped by San Diego to another team before the Oct. 28 trading deadline due to lack of production. Brown has yet to return to the field after suffering a concussion against the Jets on Oct. 5. Brown is averaging just 2.1 yards per carry. Barnwell: “Brown is still struggling to overcome his concussion, so a trade would be unlikely, but even when he comes back, he would be a third option behind Oliver and Ryan Mathews.”
In this ESPN Insider piece, ESPN NFL handicapper Dave Tuley has the Chargers tied at No. 5 in his Vegas NFL power rankings.
Former NFL sports agent Joel Corry, writing for CBS Sports.com, believes Rivers is on his way to joining the $20 million a year NFL quarterbacks club. Rivers’ contract is up at the end of the 2015 season.
Kevin Acee of U-T San Diego provides a breakdown of a survey e-mailed to Los Angeles-area residents on behalf of the NFL in order to gauge fan interest in an NFL team returning to that area.
Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego writes that Keenan Allen’s impact is more than his stats.
Ricky Henne of Chargers.com says the Dwight Freeney relishes the opportunity to unload on former teammate Peyton Manning.
Jon Wertheim of Sports Illustrated offers a good story on D.J. Fluker battling through homelessness as a teen to make it to the NFL.
Nathan Jahnke of Pro Football Focus writes that no NFL running back has more attempts on draw plays than Branden Oliver. According to Jahnke, Oliver has 61 yards and a touchdown on 12 draw plays this season.