<?xml version="1.0" encoding="iso-8859-1"?>
<rss version="2.0">
	<channel>		<title>RUWT? News</title>
		<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com</link>
		<description>RUWT? News for San Diego Chargers</description>
		<language>en-us</language>
		<copyright>Copyright 2006-2007 areyouwatchingthis.com</copyright>
		<lastBuildDate>Sun, 22 Nov 2009 10:36:08 GMT</lastBuildDate>
		<pubDate>Sun, 22 Nov 2009 10:36:08 GMT</pubDate>
		<generator>RUWT?</generator>

		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Hardwick still not ready to return to Chargers]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[SAN DIEGO(AP) -- San Diego Chargers center Nick Hardwick will not
play against the Broncos on Sunday in the showdown between AFC
West leaders in Denver.

Hardwick, out since having ankle surgery following the season
opener, missed practice on Thursday. The former Pro Bowler
returned to practice four weeks ago but he hasn't practiced
since a setback last Wednesday.

Several players returned to practice, including tight end
Antonio Gates and linebackers Shaun Phillips and Shawne
Merriman. Offensive tackle Jeromey Clary hasn't practiced since
leaving Sunday's win against Philadelphia because of an ankle
injury. Coach Norv Turner said Clary might work out on Saturday.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/135504-Hardwick-still-not-ready-to-return-to-Chargers</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/135504-Hardwick-still-not-ready-to-return-to-Chargers</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:38:04 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Chargers erase big deficit to Broncos]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By ARNIE STAPLETON
AP Sports Writer

DENVER(AP) -- The San Diego Chargers have already outdone
themselves. Or is it the Broncos who have?

Last year, the Chargers became the first NFL team to overcome a
three-game deficit in their division with three weeks to go when
they caught Denver on the final day of the season. That vaulted
them into the playoffs and sent the bruised Broncos into an
offseason makeover that started with a coaching change.

Josh McDaniels, hired after team owner Pat Bowlen revoked Mike
Shanahan's "Coach for Life" title, led the Broncos to a
surprising 6-0 start this season, punctuated with a 34-23 win at
San Diego last month that put Denver 3 1/2 games ahead of the
Chargers in the AFC West.

The Broncos may have been feeling good about themselves, but
they didn't celebrate prematurely.

"We've been here before," tight end Daniel Graham cautioned
then. "And we all know what happened to us last time."

And it's happened again.

The Broncos haven't won since that Monday night in San Diego;
the Chargers haven't lost again.

After whittling away their deficit with a month's worth of
impressive wins, the Chargers bring an identical 6-3 record to
Denver on Sunday for their showdown at Invesco Field.

"They've become a more improved team over the course of a month
and obviously we've lost three straight, so we've got a lot of
work to do to get back up to that level," Broncos cornerback
Champ Bailey said.

This deja vu comes with a caveat, though.

"Last year everything was on the line," Chargers tight end
Antonio Gates said. "That was for the championship of the AFC
West, for the playoffs. This is just for the lead. This is for
who will be in first place at the halfway mark of the season."

And this time, the loser will have a chance to recover.

The Broncos stunned the NFL by winning their first six games and
looking like they, and not the Chargers - seemingly everybody's
preseason pick - would coast through the watered-down AFC West.

But after losses to Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Washington in the
last three weeks, maybe it's fair to say, with apologies to
Dennis Green, "They are who we thought they were."

Broncos safety Brian Dawkins suggested it was a good thing for
people to start doubting Denver again.

"I love being put in a situation where people don't expect you
to do something, or they think you can't do it. I love that. I
relish that. I feed off of that," Dawkins said. "These are the
type of games that should just get your blood pumping and get
your heart beating fast, get you breathing hard, like I'm doing
right now in anticipation of the game."

There's no denying, however, the Chargers are playing their best
ball right now while the Broncos are at their worst, a reversal
of the season's first month.

"They are playing with a different fire, with a different zest
that you can see on film," Dawkins said. "You just go into this
game expecting their best, and then you put up your best and see
whose best is the best."

Oddsmakers won't put a line on this one because of the Broncos'
unsettled quarterback situation.

Kyle Orton has a sprained left ankle and might have to give way
to backup Chris Simms, who hasn't started a game since Sept. 24,
2006, when he played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Simms was
battered so badly by the Carolina Panthers that he had to
undergo emergency surgery to remove his spleen after that game.

"My life was definitely in danger. I lost nine pints of blood;
you've only got 14 in your body. If the doctor didn't say let's
go to the hospital and maybe I hung around the locker room and
tried to go home, I don't know if I would have made it. That's
what they told me," Simms said.

Simms tried to gut it out after getting hurt on that fateful day
three years ago.

"Definitely. You never think of internal injuries in football,"
he said. "It was a really hot day there. I took a tough hit. I
thought maybe I broke a rib. I could never really catch my
breath. It was really uncomfortable. As the game went on I got
worse and worse and, to make a long story short, at the end of
the fourth quarter, it seriously went through my brain for the
first time that I may have something seriously wrong with me."

After five days in intensive care, Simms spent a long, arduous
road to recovery. He finally feels like himself again, and
McDaniels admires him for his perseverance in overcoming what
many thought was a career-ending injury.

"I think you gain a great deal of respect from your coaches and
your peers by how you work and how you handle yourself. I don't
know that anybody does that better than he does," McDaniels
said.

Chargers outside linebacker Shaun Phillips and not Shawne
Merriman, who's starting to pile up sacks again, would have the
blind side if the left-handed Simms gets the nod. Phillips will
be facing right tackle Tyler Polumbus, who's filling in for
starter Ryan Harris (toes).

"I love having the blind side," Phillips said. "I don't get that
too much. But it's not about me, it's about us. As long as we
continue to focus on us and have that attitude we'll be fine."

Phillips said it matters - a little - who starts because Orton
is right-handed and Simms a southpaw. The defensive game plan
will have to be tweaked depending on who's under center.

The Broncos, though, aren't coming up with different game plans
for each QB.

"Both quarterbacks are here because they can function in our
system," McDaniels said. "So, we're not going to mess around and
try to create some magical game plan for Chris and have one in
the hole for Kyle or vice versa. The game plan is the game plan.
I don't think you can do that to your other players. They have
to practice and they have to study one type of plan and you have
to make it go with whomever is in there."]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/135491-Chargers-erase-big-deficit-to-Broncos</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/135491-Chargers-erase-big-deficit-to-Broncos</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:11:43 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Chargers-Broncos Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By MATT BEARDMORE
STATS Writer

San Diego's chances for a fourth consecutive AFC West title
looked slim, at best, following its home loss to Denver last
month.

However, the Chargers are undefeated since then and back in the
hunt for the divisional crown while the Broncos are falling fast
since their 6-0 start.

San Diego looks to win its fifth straight and move into sole
possession of first place in the West on Sunday when it faces a
slumping Denver team that could be without its starting
quarterback.

With a 34-23 loss to the visiting Broncos on Oct. 19, the
three-time defending AFC West champion Chargers (6-3) fell 3 1/2
games behind Denver for the division lead.

San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers acknowledged it would be
tough to catch up, but the Chargers have done so remarkably
quickly. They've beaten Kansas City, Oakland, the New York
Giants and Philadelphia over the last month to move into a
first-place tie with Denver (6-3).

"We didn't know it would happen like this, or this fast, that we
would be sitting here with the same record, but we believed we
could get ourselves back in it because we were talking about 11
more ballgames," Rivers said after completing 20 of 25 passes
for 231 yards and two touchdowns in last Sunday's 31-23 victory
over the Eagles.

The Chargers' last four-game winning streak was over the final
four games of last season, which they finished 8-8. San Diego
became the first team to go from 4-8 to the playoffs with a
52-21 victory over Denver in the regular-season finale.

The Broncos lost their final three games in 2008, becoming the
first team since divisional play started in 1967 to fail to make
the playoffs after holding a three-game lead with three games
left.

With a fourth straight defeat Sunday, Denver would drop in the
division standings and move closer to missing the playoffs for
the fourth straight season. Only two teams in the Super Bowl era
have failed to advance to the postseason after opening 6-0.

"Crisis? No. Tough spot? Absolutely," Broncos safety Brian
Dawkins said after Sunday's 27-17 loss at Washington. "You can't
sit there and dwell on the piddly-poo of tears and worry about
the last game. You have to move forward and that's what we're
going to do."

The Broncos, though, may have to push ahead without starting
quarterback Kyle Orton, who left Sunday's game at the end of the
first half with a sprained left ankle.

"I was hoping to come back out and I just wasn't able to," said
Orton, who completed 11 of 18 passes for 193 yards and two TDs
to Brandon Marshall. "So hopefully I'll be able to go next
week."

Backup Chris Simms, however, took the snaps during practice
Wednesday and Thursday, making it increasingly likely he'll
start. Making his first appearance of the season after Orton got
hurt Sunday, Simms was 3 of 13 for 13 yards with an
interception.

Simms hasn't started since Sept. 24, 2006, when he played for
Tampa Bay and was battered so badly by Carolina that he needed
emergency surgery to remove his spleen.

"His outlook, I'm sure, was probably affected by that, and I
think he enjoys every day that he's here and he takes advantage
of it," coach Josh McDaniels said. "That's why our team embraces
him in his role and would embrace him in whatever role he would
serve for us."

While Denver looks to improve an offense that had just 36
second-half yards last Sunday, the Broncos might also need to
work on defending the run.

After Denver allowed 79.7 rushing yards per game during its 6-0
start, opponents are averaging 157.3 yards on the ground versus
the Broncos in the last three weeks.

That could be good news for Chargers running back LaDainian
Tomlinson, who rushed for a season-high 96 yards and two TDs
last week.

After learning before the game that his wife LaTorsha was
pregnant with the couple's first child, Tomlinson moved into
12th-place all-time with 12,145 rushing yards and third all-time
with 146 touchdowns, trailing Hall-of-Famers Jerry Rice and
Emmitt Smith.

"I grew up watching all those guys," said Tomlinson, who carried
18 times for 70 yards last month versus Denver. "It's
mind-boggling that I am third all-time."

Sunday marks San Diego's first visit to Denver since a
controversial 39-38 loss on Sept.14, 2008. Two plays after
referee Ed Hochuli incorrectly ruled Jay Cutler's lost fumble
was an incompletion, the former Broncos quarterback found wide
receiver Eddie Royal for a four-yard TD on fourth down with 24
seconds left. Royal caught the ensuing two-point conversion.

In last month's victory in San Diego, Royal became the first
Bronco to return a punt and a kickoff for a touchdown in the
same game.

Chargers running back Darren Sproles returned a punt 77 yards
for a score in that contest.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/135195-Chargers-Broncos-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/135195-Chargers-Broncos-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:15:12 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Bolts put Tucker on injured reserve]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[SAN DIEGO(AP) -- The San Diego Chargers have placed linebacker
Jyles Tucker on the injured reserve list, meaning he's finished
for the season.

Tucker suffered an ankle injury in a win at the New York Giants
two weeks ago. He appeared in seven games as a reserve and was
inactive for two others.

Tucker was given a five-year contract before the 2008 season
despite having played in only six career regular-season games.

Also Wednesday, the Chargers signed offensive tackle Corey Clark
from the practice squad to the active roster. To take Clark's
place on the practice squad, the Chargers signed offensive
tackle Gerald Cadogan, a rookie out of Penn State.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/135157-Bolts-put-Tucker-on-injured-reserve</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/135157-Bolts-put-Tucker-on-injured-reserve</guid>
				<pubDate>Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:46:08 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Rivers sends Bolts into 1st-place tie in AFC West]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By BERNIE WILSON
AP Sports Writer

SAN DIEGO(AP) -- The calendar hadn't even gotten to Halloween and
the San Diego Chargers already had been knocked 3 1/2 games
behind the Denver Broncos in the AFC West.

Fans were jumping off the bandwagon rather than ride out what
appeared to be a spectacular crash in the making. The Bolts were
being written off in the media. Preseason talk of reaching the
Super Bowl was replaced by the stunning thought that the
Chargers, who have been guilty in the past of fawning over their
press clippings, might miss the playoffs entirely.

Yet there was Philip Rivers, telling reporters after a 34-23
loss at home to the Broncos on Oct. 19 that the Chargers needed
to simply worry about themselves, focus and hopefully look up in
a month and be in it.

It turned out Rivers was as accurate with his words as he has
been with his right arm.

"None of you believed us," Rivers said after Sunday's win over
Philadelphia, which, coupled with Denver's surprising loss at
Washington, left the teams tied at 6-3 atop the division.

Then again, did the Chargers themselves believe what Rivers was
saying a month ago?

"There is no question," said Rivers, who signed a $93 million
contract extension in August. "We didn't know it would happen
like this, or this fast, that we would be sitting here with the
same record, but we believed we could get ourselves back in it
because we were talking about 11 more ballgames. There is a lot
of football left still and there is no telling where things can
go in either direction.

"We're going to keep the focus though and make sure it goes in
the right direction."

Much to the fans' annoyance, the Chargers have been slow
starters in Norv Turner's three seasons as coach. They start
slowly in games and in seasons. They have managed to extricate
themselves in time for the playoffs.

The Chargers and Broncos meet again Sunday in Denver, where the
Chargers traditionally have had a hard time winning even without
referee Ed Hochuli helping the Broncos. It will be their first
visit to the Mile High City since Hochuli's blown call helped
the Broncos pull out a 39-38 win early last season.

The Chargers have won four straight. The Broncos have lost three
straight.

Sound familiar? That's how last season ended, when the Chargers
rallied with four straight wins to clinch their third straight
division title with an 8-8 record. They routed the Broncos 52-21
in the season finale to finish off Denver's historic collapse.

So what's changed?

The Chargers finally are playing close to how everyone thought
they would, although it's a slightly different cast of
characters than the bunch that was physically beaten up during a
season-opening win at Oakland.

The Chargers had four starters knocked out of that game,
including run-stuffing defensive tackle Jamal Williams with a
season-ending injury. Center Nick Hardwick still isn't back from
ankle surgery stemming from an injury that night, but he appears
close to returning. Running back LaDainian Tomlinson finally
looked like the L.T. of old on Sunday after being dogged for
weeks by a sprained ankle sustained in the opener.

It's taken the Chargers this long to play what Turner said was
their most complete game of the season, a 31-23 win over the
Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. Tomlinson ran for a season-high
96 yards and two touchdowns, and Rivers threw two touchdown
passes to raise his season total to 16, against six
interceptions.

The defense stuffed the Eagles three times inside the 10-yard
line, including on one drive when Philly had a first-and-goal at
the 1.

San Diego's four-game winning streak includes victories against
division doormats Kansas City and Oakland, a comeback win
against the stumbling New York Giants engineered by Rivers, and
the Eagles victory.

The Chargers had 17 sacks in those games after getting just
seven in their first five games.

Rivers believes the Chargers have shown their character and
mental toughness. He's also looking for more, knowing that
there's a lot of ball still to play.

Being 6-3, he said, "doesn't put us in any category, it doesn't
make us anything other than that, but it does give us a lot of
confidence and I think it has shown that we've made a lot of
improvement."]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/135012-Rivers-sends-Bolts-into-1st-place-tie-in-AFC-West</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/135012-Rivers-sends-Bolts-into-1st-place-tie-in-AFC-West</guid>
				<pubDate>Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:12:33 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[LT climbs charts, Bolts beat Eagles 31-23]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By BERNIE WILSON
AP Sports Writer

SAN DIEGO(AP) -- Motivation came in different forms for the San
Diego Chargers on Sunday, from Denver's loss to the little
surprise LaDainian Tomlinson's wife left in his locker.

Tomlinson's career certainly isn't finished and neither is the
AFC West race.

Tomlinson ran for a season-high 96 yards and scored twice to
continue his climb up the career rushing and scoring lists, and
the Chargers beat the Philadelphia Eagles 31-23 to pull into a
tie atop the AFC West with the slumping Broncos.

Asked if something happened that gave him motivation, L.T. got a
little emotional.

"I don't know if I want to talk about it," he said. "My wife is
pregnant. I found out before the game. She left me a gift in my
locker. It said, 'Open immediately.' I thought it was a
necklace. It was a pregnancy test."

The child will be the couple's first. LaTorsha Tomlinson
suffered a miscarriage in 2005.

Fired up about fatherhood, Tomlinson passed Thurman Thomas and
Franco Harris and moved into 12th place all-time with 12,145
yards. His two touchdowns gave him 146 and moved him past Marcus
Allen and into third place on the all-time list.

"It's kind of surreal," Tomlinson said of his latest
accomplishment, noting that he has a ball autographed by Harris
in his trophy case. "I grew up watching all those guys. It's
mind-boggling that I am third all-time."

It appeared for a while in the offseason that L.T. would be a
salary-cap casualty, but the sides finally agreed to a reworked
contract. He turned 30 in June, then sprained his right ankle in
a season-opening win at Oakland. He missed the next two games,
the first time in his brilliant career that he missed
regular-season games due to injury.

"I'm still effective," he said. "That's all that counts. Still
finding ways to help this team win."

The score of the Broncos' 27-17 loss at Washington - Denver's
third straight - was announced moments before kickoff in San
Diego. The Chargers then went out and won their fourth straight.

The Chargers and Broncos, both 6-3, play next Sunday in Denver.
Four weeks ago, the Chargers appeared dead in the water, 3 1/2
games back after losing 34-23 to the then-undefeated Broncos.

"We didn't know it would happen this fast," quarterback Philip
Rivers said. "We believed we could get ourselves back in it."

Eagles running back Brian Westbrook was knocked out with another
concussion. He had missed the previous two games after a
concussion during a win against Washington on Oct. 26.

"In these types of situations, football is secondary," coach
Andy Reid said. "You've got to look at this kid and for his
future, and make sure everything's OK for him before he gets
back out there."

Philadelphia's Donovan McNabb threw for a season-high 450 yards,
completing 35 of 55, and two late touchdowns. He was intercepted
in the end zone by Antonio Cromartie on the game's last play.

The Eagles (5-4) made it inside the Chargers' 10-yard line three
times only to have to settle for field goals by David Akers.

"When you have those opportunities to score we have to pound it
in there," McNabb said. "We definitely tried, but credit to
them, but they stopped us, obviously, from running the ball into
the end zone."

The last time the Chargers played the Eagles, on Oct. 23, 2005,
Tomlinson was held to 7 yards on 17 carries, his career low for
a regular-season game.

His previous season-high was 71 yards in a win at Kansas City
three weeks ago.

Tomlinson scored on a 3-yard run to give the Chargers a 14-0
lead four minutes into the second quarter. Midway through the
third quarter he chugged 20 yards through the right side of the
Eagles' defense to make it 21-6.

Rivers threw touchdown passes of 20 yards to wide-open fullback
Mike Tolbert in the first quarter and 20 yards to Legedu Naanee
in the third quarter. Rivers was 20 of 25 for 231 yards and no
interceptions, with a rating of 131.8.

Naanee was flagged for excessive celebration for kneeling in
front of a Chargers cheerleader and handing her the ball. The
Chargers had to kick off from their 15. Naanee said it was
spontaneous.

The Eagles were stuffed their first three times inside the San
Diego 10, including when they had the ball first-and-goal from
the 1 after Quentin Jammer's pass interference penalty in the
end zone in the second quarter. They had to settle for field
goals of 18, 25 and 25 yards.

McNabb threw a 5-yard pass to Jeremy Maclin early in the fourth
quarter and 6 yards to tight end Brent Celek with 7:12 left to
pull the Eagles to 28-23.

NOTES: McNabb tied his franchise record with 35 completions. His
450 yards are second in franchise history behind of record of
464. ... Eagles WR Jason Avant had eight catches for 156 yards.
... Philly CB Sheldon Brown hurt a hamstring ... Chargers RT
Jeromey Clary hurt an ankle.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/134337-LT-climbs-charts-Bolts-beat-Eagles-31-23</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/134337-LT-climbs-charts-Bolts-beat-Eagles-31-23</guid>
				<pubDate>Mon, 16 Nov 2009 02:16:00 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Chargers S Weddle fined $7,500 for hit]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[SAN DIEGO(AP) -- San Diego Chargers safety Eric Weddle has been
fined $7,500 for unnecessary roughness for a hit in last Sunday
in a win over the New York Giants.

The NFL said Weddle made helmet-to-helmet contact with a
defenseless receiver.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/134024-Chargers-S-Weddle-fined-7-500-for-hit</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/134024-Chargers-S-Weddle-fined-7-500-for-hit</guid>
				<pubDate>Sun, 15 Nov 2009 01:57:45 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Eagles, Bolts look for defining victory]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By BERNIE WILSON
AP Sports Writer

SAN DIEGO(AP) -- One team is 5-3 and the bandwagon is rolling once
again, loaded with fans who've hopped back aboard during a
three-game winning streak.

The other team also is 5-3 and maybe not feeling quite so spry,
having lost a chance to take sole possession of its division
lead.

Up, down. Down, up. It's been the story so far for the
Philadelphia Eagles and San Diego Chargers, who will be trying
to sort out their immediate futures when they play Sunday at
Qualcomm Stadium.

The Chargers look a bit more like the contending team they're
supposed to be after rallying behind Philip Rivers to beat the
New York Giants 21-20 at the Meadowlands. They're not quite
world-beaters, though. Their winning streak includes victories
against Kansas City and Oakland, the doormats of the AFC West.
Although Rivers led a thrilling drive to beat the Giants in the
final seconds, the Chargers were the benefactors of New York's
free-fall.

It's certainly better than where they were after a 34-23 loss to
AFC West leader Denver on Oct. 19.

"It's still early. We're just to the halfway mark but we are
playing better," Rivers said. "We're three weeks better than we
were post-Denver game. And if we can keep that going, then we'll
give ourselves a chance.

"But certainly winning three football games doesn't make us any
different or the game's going to be any easier. That confidence
needs to be there, but also that same urgency and focus. If we
can combine those and stay the course, we should be in good
shape."

Rivers was the first to note that the Chargers still have a lot
to work on. Their running game was practically nonexistent
against the Giants and is dead last in the NFL. Receivers
dropped passes and Rivers was intercepted twice.

Fans wonder why the Chargers don't show the same urgency earlier
in games than they do late.

Rivers capped a magnificent 80-yard drive with an 18-yard pass
to Vincent Jackson with 21 seconds to play to beat the Giants.

Then again, that's exactly how the last two seasons have
unfolded under coach Norv Turner. After slow starts, the
Chargers fired up in the second half.

"If you could choose when you'd like to be playing your best
ball and when you'd like to be progressing the most it would be
the second half of the season," Rivers said. "That's what we've
been able to do of late. We'd certainly like to start better,
but the fact that we seem to get going and improve week to week
come midseason, it's allowed us to win a bunch of football games
and play into January."

The Eagles are coming off a 20-16 home loss to Dallas that gave
the Cowboys the NFC East lead. A week earlier, the Eagles routed
the Giants 40-17. But there was also a mystifying 13-9 loss at
Oakland on Oct. 18.

"A 5-3 record is not a bad record," quarterback Donovan McNabb
said. "Obviously everyone would like to be 7-1 or 8-0, but we're
not. There were mistakes that we made in certain games that we
possibly could have won, but there's nothing that you can do at
this particular point about it. But you can correct it and
hopefully in these next eight games be able to get those wins
you wish that you could have had and felt like you should have
had."

The Eagles played without star running back Brian Westbrook for
the second straight game because of a concussion. Westbrook was
expected to play, but he started experiencing symptoms of a mild
headache on the Friday before the Dallas game. Westbrook then
underwent more tests and the Eagles held him out as a
precaution.

Chargers outside linebacker Shawne Merriman had his second
straight two-sack game as he continues to look stronger in his
comeback from knee surgery that cost him virtually all of last
season. Like Rivers, Merriman said the Chargers need to make a
move if they hope to overhaul Denver and win their fourth
straight AFC West title.

"We've got to put down our foot right now," Merriman said. "If
we put down our foot right now, we're going to be in pretty good
shape. Every game's not going to go how you want it, but we can
do our best to make sure it's in our favor."

And the Eagles, in the wake of their disappointing loss to
Dallas?

"Just to go out to San Diego, have fun, play our style of
football and score points," McNabb said.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/133717-Eagles-Bolts-look-for-defining-victory</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/133717-Eagles-Bolts-look-for-defining-victory</guid>
				<pubDate>Sat, 14 Nov 2009 05:02:39 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Eagles-Chargers Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By JUSTIN EINHORN
STATS Senior Editor

Following yet another slow start, the San Diego Chargers have
gotten on a roll.

It's hard to figure which direction the Philadelphia Eagles are
headed.

Philadelphia failed to build off an uplifting win over the
reigning NFC East champions and now looks to send San Diego to
the same fate Sunday when these division title hopefuls meet at
Qualcomm Stadium.

The Chargers (5-3) are going after a fourth consecutive AFC West
crown and fifth in six years despite consistently struggling out
of the gate. They've had a winning record through six games only
once in that span (2006).

They opened 2-3 this year but have since won three in a row and
the latest victory may have been their most impressive, rallying
past the New York Giants 21-20 last Sunday. Philip Rivers led an
eight-play, 80-yard drive that ended with his 18-yard touchdown
pass to Vincent Jackson with 21 seconds to play.

"I think it will carry over into this week, something we can
build on as we prepare for another really tough NFC East
opponent," said Rivers, who had three TD passes for the third
time in five weeks.

It was the fourth time in 13 games, including a playoff win over
Indianapolis, that Rivers engineered a game-winning drive in the
fourth quarter.

"He's calm and confident and that just rubs off on everyone
else," said Jackson, who had five TD catches in the last four
games and is tied for the league lead with seven.

While the Chargers have pulled within one game of Denver for the
division lead behind the passing game, their ground attack
continues to stumble.

San Diego is averaging a league-low 3.1 yards per carry and is
the only team that has not rushed for 600 yards. LaDainian
Tomlinson had 22 yards on 12 carries last Sunday and it appears
more and more that his carries are merely to set up the
play-action passing game.

"We've still got a ton of room for improvement," Rivers said.

So do the Eagles (5-3).

They opened 3-1 before a stunning loss to lowly Oakland. They
appeared to be back on the right track with a 40-17 rout of the
Giants on Nov. 1, but a 20-16 home loss to archrival Dallas last
Sunday night dropped them out of the NFC East lead.

"We have to eliminate mistakes," said Donovan McNabb, who had
two interceptions after throwing only one all season. "We have
to have short-term memory and just move on and be able to erase
what happened."

McNabb could benefit from the return of Brian Westbrook, who
missed the last two games due to post-concussion symptoms but
said he is a go for Sunday. San Diego is 26th in the league
against the run, allowing 130.1 yards per game.

The Eagles went 1-8-1 in their last 10 games decided by seven
points or less, including a 32-25 defeat at Arizona in the NFC
championship game. Their five victories this year have been by
an average of 20.0 points.

"That's a pretty good stat," coach Andy Reid said of the record
in close games. "I don't know if there is a link other than that
stat. I don't see a tightness, or pressing in the fourth
quarter. I haven't seen that. On the other side, maybe we're
trying too hard, because I see a maximum effort out there."

The Chargers have won five of their last six games decided by
eight points or less.

Their defense, particularly against the pass, has keyed the
recent surge. San Diego totaled five sacks in three consecutive
weeks - linebacker Shaun Phillips had five in that span - while
allowing a total of 351 passing yards.

"We've got to put down our foot right now," said Shawne
Merriman, who had two sacks in each of the last two games. "If
we put down our foot right now, we're going to be in pretty good
shape."

Merriman and Phillips have been impressive at a position where
Philadelphia is very thin.

Stewart Bradley and Omar Gaither are out for the season, fellow
starter Chris Gocong could miss a second straight game with a
hamstring injury and Akeem Jordan may sit out after
hyperextending his knee Sunday night.

The Eagles have lost all four visits to San Diego since winning
their initial trip in 1974. The Chargers lost 20-17 at
Philadelphia in 2005 in the last meeting.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/132965-Eagles-Chargers-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/132965-Eagles-Chargers-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:50:04 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Hardwick unlikely to return to Bolts this week]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[SAN DIEGO(AP) -- Center Nick Hardwick probably will have to wait
at least another week to rejoin the San Diego Chargers.

After participating in part of practice Wednesday, the former
Pro Bowler missed Thursday's practice because of a sore ankle,
and coach Norv Turner says it's unlikely that he'll play Sunday
against the Philadelphia Eagles.

"You try to take it in stride," said Hardwick, who was hurt in
the season opener and had ankle surgery.

Back at practice were running back LaDainian Tomlinson and tight
end Antonio Gates. Each sat out Wednesday's workout, Tomlinson
because of a hip bruise and Gates because of a sore foot.

Outside linebackers Shaun Phillips and Shawne Merriman didn't
practice. Phillips leads the team in sacks with five and his
readiness is of some concern, Turner said, because he also
missed Wednesday's practice because of an ankle injury.

Merriman rolled his foot last week.

"I think he's all right," Turner said. "I think he's just a
little bit sore, and it's probably good for him to not work
today."

One Charger who is at full speed is receiver Vincent Jackson,
who is tied for the NFL lead with seven TD catches and is first
with an average of 17.2 yards per catch.

"Vincent is playing at a tremendous level," Gates said. "He's
making it a lot easier for me. At this point, he's playing
better than any receiver in the NFL."]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/133333-Hardwick-unlikely-to-return-to-Bolts-this-week</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/133333-Hardwick-unlikely-to-return-to-Bolts-this-week</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 13 Nov 2009 01:37:51 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Eagles, Bolts look for defining victory]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By BERNIE WILSON
AP Sports Writer

SAN DIEGO(AP) -- One team is 5-3 and the bandwagon is rolling once
again, loaded with fans who've hopped back aboard during a
three-game winning streak.

The other team also is 5-3 and maybe not feeling quite so spry,
having lost a chance to take sole possession of its division
lead.

Up, down. Down, up. It's been the story so far for the
Philadelphia Eagles and San Diego Chargers, who will be trying
to sort out their immediate futures when they play Sunday at
Qualcomm Stadium.

The Chargers look a bit more like the contending team they're
supposed to be after rallying behind Philip Rivers to beat the
New York Giants 21-20 at the Meadowlands. They're not quite
world-beaters, though. Their winning streak includes victories
against Kansas City and Oakland, the doormats of the AFC West.
Although Rivers led a thrilling drive to beat the Giants in the
final seconds, the Chargers were the benefactors of New York's
free-fall.

It's certainly better than where they were after a 34-23 loss to
AFC West leader Denver on Oct. 19.

"It's still early. We're just to the halfway mark but we are
playing better," Rivers said. "We're three weeks better than we
were post-Denver game. And if we can keep that going, then we'll
give ourselves a chance.

"But certainly winning three football games doesn't make us any
different or the game's going to be any easier. That confidence
needs to be there, but also that same urgency and focus. If we
can combine those and stay the course, we should be in good
shape."

Rivers was the first to note that the Chargers still have a lot
to work on. Their running game was practically nonexistent
against the Giants and is dead last in the NFL. Receivers
dropped passes and Rivers was intercepted twice.

Fans wonder why the Chargers don't show the same urgency earlier
in games than they do late.

Rivers capped a magnificent 80-yard drive with an 18-yard pass
to Vincent Jackson with 21 seconds to play to beat the Giants.

Then again, that's exactly how the last two seasons have
unfolded under coach Norv Turner. After slow starts, the
Chargers fired up in the second half.

"If you could choose when you'd like to be playing your best
ball and when you'd like to be progressing the most it would be
the second half of the season," Rivers said. "That's what we've
been able to do of late. We'd certainly like to start better,
but the fact that we seem to get going and improve week to week
come midseason, it's allowed us to win a bunch of football games
and play into January."

The Eagles are coming off a 20-16 home loss to Dallas that gave
the Cowboys the NFC East lead. A week earlier, the Eagles routed
the Giants 40-17. But there was also a mystifying 13-9 loss at
Oakland on Oct. 18.

"A 5-3 record is not a bad record," quarterback Donovan McNabb
said. "Obviously everyone would like to be 7-1 or 8-0, but we're
not. There were mistakes that we made in certain games that we
possibly could have won, but there's nothing that you can do at
this particular point about it. But you can correct it and
hopefully in these next eight games be able to get those wins
you wish that you could have had and felt like you should have
had."

The Eagles played without star running back Brian Westbrook for
the second straight game because of a concussion. Westbrook was
expected to play, but he started experiencing symptoms of a mild
headache on the Friday before the Dallas game. Westbrook then
underwent more tests and the Eagles held him out as a
precaution.

Chargers outside linebacker Shawne Merriman had his second
straight two-sack game as he continues to look stronger in his
comeback from knee surgery that cost him virtually all of last
season. Like Rivers, Merriman said the Chargers need to make a
move if they hope to overhaul Denver and win their fourth
straight AFC West title.

"We've got to put down our foot right now," Merriman said. "If
we put down our foot right now, we're going to be in pretty good
shape. Every game's not going to go how you want it, but we can
do our best to make sure it's in our favor."

And the Eagles, in the wake of their disappointing loss to
Dallas?

"Just to go out to San Diego, have fun, play our style of
football and score points," McNabb said.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/133298-Eagles-Bolts-look-for-defining-victory</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/133298-Eagles-Bolts-look-for-defining-victory</guid>
				<pubDate>Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:45:17 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[LT, Gates among six Chargers missing practice]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[SAN DIEGO(AP) -- Running back LaDainian Tomlinson and tight end
Antonio Gates were among six San Diego Chargers missing practice
due to injuries.

Tomlinson has a bruised hip and Gates has a sore foot. Coach
Norv Turner said Wednesday that he expects both back at practice
on Thursday as the Chargers continue to prepare for Sunday's
home game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Also missing practice were defensive end Travis Johnson (groin),
defensive tackle Ogemdi Nwagbuo (ankle), outside linebacker
Shaun Phillips (ankle) and outside linebacker Jyles Tucker
(ankle).]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/133103-LT-Gates-among-six-Chargers-missing-practice</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/133103-LT-Gates-among-six-Chargers-missing-practice</guid>
				<pubDate>Thu, 12 Nov 2009 03:11:36 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Bolts hope Giants victory carries over]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By BERNIE WILSON
AP Sports Writer

SAN DIEGO(AP) -- Philip Rivers doesn't give much credence to the
New York Giants' losing streak, which he helped extend to four
games.

All he really cares about is that his San Diego Chargers went on
the road and came away with a solid victory, even if it wasn't
always pretty.

"I think it means a lot," Rivers said Monday, a day after his
18-yard TD pass to Vincent Jackson with 21 seconds left rallied
the Chargers to a 21-20 victory over the reeling Giants.

"It's the type of game we hadn't been able to win yet this year,
on the road, against a really good team. I know that they've
lost four straight now, but that was a really good football team
we played. To win, and to really have to win in all three phases
and have to lean on one another on both sides of the ball, and
to get it done, it means a lot."

It was the third straight win for San Diego, which at 5-3 is
positioned to make a second-half run. At the very least, the
Chargers will have to overtake the Denver Broncos in order to
win their fourth straight AFC West title.

"I think it will carry over into this week, something we can
build on as we prepare for another really tough NFC East
opponent," Rivers said.

Up next is a home game against the Philadelphia Eagles, who are
coming off a 20-16 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

The Chargers will have plenty of things to work on this week,
Rivers said. San Diego's running game was practically
nonexistent, receivers dropped passes and Rivers was intercepted
twice.

"We've still got a ton of room for improvement," Rivers said.
"It wasn't by any means our best game through and through; it
was because of the way we won, but tons of areas to improve. If
we all acknowledge that, we'll get better."

In the end, though, the Chargers wrenched the game away from the
Giants.

Terrell Thomas intercepted Rivers and returned it 33 yards to
the San Diego 4 with 3:14 remaining. A holding penalty moved the
Giants back and San Diego forced them to settle for a field goal
for just a six-point lead with two minutes to go.

Rivers was impressive in moving the Chargers 80 yards, capping
the drive with his throw to the wide-open Jackson.

Outside linebacker Shawne Merriman had two more sacks as he
continues to look stronger in his comeback from knee surgery
that cost him virtually all of last season.

The Chargers have put together winning streaks in recent
seasons, and Merriman hopes they're hitting their stride now.

"We've got to put down our foot right now," said Merriman, who
ended the game by sacking Eli Manning. Manning, of course, told
the Chargers before the 2004 draft that he didn't want them to
take him with the No. 1 pick. They did anyway, then shipped him
to New York for Rivers and three picks, one of which was the
first-rounder in 2005 that the Chargers used on Merriman.

"If we put down our foot right now, we're going to be in pretty
good shape," Merriman said. "Every game's not going to go how
you want it, but we can do our best to make sure it's in our
favor."]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/132584-Bolts-hope-Giants-victory-carries-over</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/132584-Bolts-hope-Giants-victory-carries-over</guid>
				<pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:25:04 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Eagles-Chargers game sells out; blackout lifted]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[SAN DIEGO(AP) -- The Chargers say they've sold enough tickets to
lift the local TV blackout of Sunday's game against the
Philadelphia Eagles.

This is the earliest a Chargers game has sold out this season.

It will be the 44th consecutive regular-season or postseason
home game to be televised live in Southern California, tying for
the longest streak in team history. The last regular-season home
game blacked out was on Nov. 7, 2004, against New Orleans.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/132595-Eagles-Chargers-game-sells-out-blackout-lifted</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/132595-Eagles-Chargers-game-sells-out-blackout-lifted</guid>
				<pubDate>Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:08:16 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Rivers TD to Vincent Jackson stuns Giants, 21-20]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By TOM CANAVAN
AP Sports Writer

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.(AP) -- Five years after being traded away in
a draft-day swap for Eli Manning, Philip Rivers came back and
stuck it to the New York Giants.

Rivers capped an 80-yard drive with an 18-yard pass to Vincent
Jackson with 21 seconds to play and the San Diego Chargers
stunned the Giants 21-20 on Sunday, posting their third straight
win while handing New York its fourth straight loss.

San Diego (5-3) is now well positioned for the second half of
the season. The Giants (5-4) can only shake their heads in
disbelief after blowing their first 5-0 start since 1990.

"It's a big emotional win," said Rivers, who threw for 209 yards
and three touchdowns. "I don't need a real reason why, but it
ranks right up there with the win at Indy in the playoffs
(2009). The link between me and Eli is always going to be there.
So yeah, it's a little special. Any time you play against a team
that won the Super Bowl, it's fun. It (the trade) didn't weigh
into my mind and my thinking, but I bet it was there."

Rivers had the Giants to thank for giving him the chance to pull
the game out.

Giants cornerback Terrell Thomas returned an interception 33
yards to the Chargers 4 with 3:14 to play. If Manning and
company had punched the ball in, the game would have been over.

But a first-down holding penalty on Chris Snee pushed New York
back 10 yards and it settled for Lawrence Tynes' second field
goal, a 22-yarder with 2:07 to play for a 6-point lead.

"We had a chance and you can't leave that team in the game,"
said Manning, who was 25 of 33 for 215 yards and two touchdowns.
"You can't leave that team an opening. They are good and
talented and if you have a chance to end it, you have to end
it."

Rivers did. He hit 6 of 8 passes in the game-winning march,
hitting Malcolm Floyd for 12 yards, two to Antonio Gates and a
21-yarder to Darren Sproles that put the ball at the 18. On the
next play, Rivers found Jackson in the right corner of the end
zone for the game-winner.

"Vincent just came open and separated himself from the
defender," Rivers said. "On that play, he was probably the last
option to get the ball by the way it set up. But we had all that
field and I just wanted to give him a chance to get to it."

Jackson also caught a 10-yard TD pass in the second quarter.

"He's calm and confident and that just rubs off on everyone
else," Jackson said of Rivers. "It didn't matter what the score
was or how much time was left. We were going to get the job
done."

Appropriately, the game ended with Shawne Merriman sacking
Manning. San Diego drafted the linebacker in 2005 with one of
the picks the Chargers got from the Giants in the Manning deal.

"We showed a lot of team character to bounce back," Merriman
said. "We never want to start off slow, but we've learned when
we need to hit our stride."

Rivers also hit Kris Wilson on a 2-yard TD in the third to give
San Diego a 14-7 lead in a game in which the Giants defense
rebounded from a miserable efforts the previous three weeks.

Manning drove the Giants 60 yards in 10 plays on the next
possession and Tynes got New York within 14-10 with his 38-yard
field goal early in the fourth quarter.

The Giants defense, which gave up 112 points in the first three
games of the losing streak, then helped them take the lead,
recording three straight tackles for losses and forcing the
Chargers to punt from their 4.

Domenik Hixon returned the ball to the San Diego 39 and Manning
needed only six plays to put New York on top, hitting Kevin Boss
with an 8-yard TD on a play when the Chargers were offside.

A bizarre play at the end of the Giants' opening drive cost them
3 points. New York lined up for a 39-yard field goal attempt,
but Tynes never got the kick off. Feagles took the snap and
Tynes said Feagles had both hands on the ball so he could not
kick it.

"We are all very, very upset, very disappointed obviously in the
loss," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said. "We played hard, did a
lot of good things but obviously we didn't do enough."

Rivers gave the Chargers a 7-0 lead on the first play of the
second quarter with his first TD pass to Jackson. It capped a
45-yard drive after a short punt by Feagles.

The Giants tied the game on the ensuing series on Manning's
6-yard TD pass to Steve Smith. The pair had kept the nearly
11-minute drive alive with a 19-yard completion on third-and-18
from the Chargers 44.

NOTES: Giants weakside LB Michael Boley and DT Chris Canty
returned to the lineup. Boley missed a month after knee surgery.
Canty was out since the opening week with a calf injury. ...
Chargers starting ILB Kevin Burnett was inactive with an ankle
injury. ... The Giants decided to honor the Yankees for their
recent 27th world championship and introduced manager Joe
Girardi during a break in the game. He was identified on the
scoreboard as the team's general manager. Does Brian Cashman
know?]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/132422-Rivers-TD-to-Vincent-Jackson-stuns-Giants-21-20</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/132422-Rivers-TD-to-Vincent-Jackson-stuns-Giants-21-20</guid>
				<pubDate>Mon, 09 Nov 2009 02:12:14 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Boley, Canty return to Giants lineup for Chargers]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.(AP) -- Weakside linebacker Michael Boley and
defensive tackle Chris Canty returned to the New York Giants for
Sunday's game against the San Diego Chargers.

Boley has been out about a month after having surgery on his
right knee. Canty has not played since sustaining a calf injury
in the season opener.

The Giants' defense has given up 112 points in losing its last
three games.

Backup defensive end Dave Tollefson was made inactive to clear
space for Canty.

Chargers starting inside linebacker Kevin Burnett was inactive
for the game with an ankle injury. His status was questionable
Friday. Brandon Siler replaced him in the starting lineup.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/132378-Boley-Canty-return-to-Giants-lineup-for-Chargers</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/132378-Boley-Canty-return-to-Giants-lineup-for-Chargers</guid>
				<pubDate>Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:32:55 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Giants face Chargers in Manning-Rivers matchup]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By TOM CANAVAN
AP Sports Writer

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.(AP) -- Having been to the playoffs the past
four years, the New York Giants have rarely referred to a game
as must-win unless it was in the postseason.

Things have changed dramatically with three straight losses, and
more than one Giant is putting Sunday's game with the San Diego
Chargers into the better-not-lose category.

Forget that the contest will mark the first time Eli Manning and
Philip Rivers face each other since the draft-day trade in which
the Giants obtained the No. 1 overall pick from the Chargers for
the rights to Rivers, who was the No. 4 pick, and three other
draft choices, including one which turned out to be linebacker
Shawne Merriman.

Middle linebacker Antonio Pierce went so far as to proclaim this
another Super Bowl for the Giants (5-3), who have fallen behind
Philadelphia and Dallas in the NFC East.

It's just as important for the Chargers (4-3), who trail the
Denver Broncos by two games in the AFC West.

"I don't ever remember losing three games in a row," Giants
running back Brandon Jacobs said. "So a lot of guys around here
realize that in five years they have never really been part of
losing three games in a row and we have to do something about
it. And a lot of guys are willing to step up and go out and make
plays."

Actually, the Giants lost four in a row in 2006, when they
managed to make the playoffs despite an 8-8 record.

The Chargers are very similar to the Giants in that most of
their wins have been against the NFL's weaker teams (Kansas
City, Oakland twice and Miami), while their losses have been to
Denver, Pittsburgh and Baltimore.

"It'll be a heck of a challenge," said running back LaDainian
Tomlinson, who scored three touchdowns when the Drew Brees-led
Chargers beat Manning and the Giants in their last meeting in
2005.

"These guys are Super Bowl champs from a couple years ago. I
think it's a different type of team," Tomlinson said. "This is a
team that can run the ball effectively, they can throw the ball.
Defensive-wise, they get after the quarterback. They can stop
the run. And playing at their house, losing three straight, it's
going to be a tough game."

The key might be the big play. The Chargers have 18 passing
plays of 25 yards or more this season, tied for the third in the
NFL. The Giants, who have given up at least 40 points in two of
their three losses, have surrendered 15 pass plays of 20 yards
or more in their losing streak.

"I think everybody in the building recognizes where we are and
how we need to respond," Giants defensive coordinator Bill
Sheridan said.

The fun part of the game will be watching Manning and Rivers,
who have both become outstanding quarterbacks. The difference is
Manning led the Giants to a Super Bowl win over New England in
2008. Coincidentally, the Patriots beat Rivers and the Chargers
in the AFC title game to earn the trip to Arizona.

Manning, who has thrown six interceptions in the losing streak,
downplayed the head-to-head matchup with Rivers.

"This is the Giants versus San Diego," Manning said. "It is
about us getting back on track and getting that winning feeling
again. I think that is my only concern. I think that is kind of
in the past."

Rivers also was indifferent about facing New York. He said he
never talked to any Giants front office personnel after they
drafted him and he had no hard feeling in the wake of the trade.

"Again, I know it wasn't just a straight trade me for Eli or
vice versa," Rivers said. "There were some very key picks and
players involved in what the Chargers were able to acquire and,
honestly, players that have had a huge impact over this past six
years and continue to have. So I'm sure both teams are happy the
way it worked out."

If the Giants have an advantage it should be their running game
against the Chargers' defense, which is giving up 132.1 yards
per game. New York plays its best when the running game allows
Manning to pick when he throws.

Giants safety C.C. Brown has struggled since taking over for
Kenny Phillips (IR) and Rivers will likely target him in New
York's final game before a bye week.

Tomlinson said road games against NFC East teams can be tough.

"We just kind of expect when you go play physical teams like
these, with the big crowds, fans are really into the game, it
becomes a tough place to play," he said. "It's somewhere that
we're really not used to. It's different from Kansas City and
Oakland and Denver. It's a little bit more."

For the Giants, this game has also come to mean a little bit
more.

"Guys are running around, flying around, making a lot of noise,"
Jacobs said of recent practices. "Everyone has been that guy
this week to get on someone else when they are not doing it
right, make them do it the right way. I said on Wednesday
morning that I was going to be that guy to come in here and jump
on people's backs when it doesn't look like they are working
hard. And about 40 other guys had the same mentality."

Chargers linebacker Shaun Phillips isn't concerned how the
Giants feel.

"We can't look at that, the Giants lost three in a row," he
said. "I mean, they're still a good football team, and they're
one of the better teams in the league. So, them losing three
straight has nothing to do with us. But we can't control what
they do. We can control what we do. As long as we continue to
have that mentality, I believe we'll be OK."]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/131955-Giants-face-Chargers-in-Manning-Rivers-matchup</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/131955-Giants-face-Chargers-in-Manning-Rivers-matchup</guid>
				<pubDate>Sat, 07 Nov 2009 05:02:13 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Giants face Chargers in Manning-Rivers matchup]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By TOM CANAVAN
AP Sports Writer

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.(AP) -- Having been to the playoffs the past
four years, the New York Giants have rarely referred to a game
as must-win unless it was in the postseason.

Things have changed dramatically with three straight losses, and
more than one Giant is putting Sunday's game with the San Diego
Chargers into the better-not-lose category.

Forget that the contest will mark the first time Eli Manning and
Philip Rivers face each other since the draft-day trade in which
the Giants obtained the No. 1 overall pick from the Chargers for
the rights to Rivers, who was the No. 4 pick, and three other
draft choices, including one which turned out to be linebacker
Shawne Merriman.

Middle linebacker Antonio Pierce went so far as to proclaim this
another Super Bowl for the Giants (5-3), who have fallen behind
Philadelphia and Dallas in the NFC East.

It's just as important for the Chargers (4-3), who trail the
Denver Broncos by two games in the AFC West.

"I don't ever remember losing three games in a row," Giants
running back Brandon Jacobs said. "So a lot of guys around here
realize that in five years they have never really been part of
losing three games in a row and we have to do something about
it. And a lot of guys are willing to step up and go out and make
plays."

Actually, the Giants lost four in a row in 2006, when they
managed to make the playoffs despite an 8-8 record.

The Chargers are very similar to the Giants in that most of
their wins have been against the NFL's weaker teams (Kansas
City, Oakland twice and Miami), while their losses have been to
Denver, Pittsburgh and Baltimore.

"It'll be a heck of a challenge," said running back LaDainian
Tomlinson, who scored three touchdowns when the Drew Brees-led
Chargers beat Manning and the Giants in their last meeting in
2005.

"These guys are Super Bowl champs from a couple years ago. I
think it's a different type of team," Tomlinson said. "This is a
team that can run the ball effectively, they can throw the ball.
Defensive-wise, they get after the quarterback. They can stop
the run. And playing at their house, losing three straight, it's
going to be a tough game."

The key might be the big play. The Chargers have 18 passing
plays of 25 yards or more this season, tied for the third in the
NFL. The Giants, who have given up at least 40 points in two of
their three losses, have surrendered 15 pass plays of 20 yards
or more in their losing streak.

"I think everybody in the building recognizes where we are and
how we need to respond," Giants defensive coordinator Bill
Sheridan said.

The fun part of the game will be watching Manning and Rivers,
who have both become outstanding quarterbacks. The difference is
Manning led the Giants to a Super Bowl win over New England in
2008. Coincidentally, the Patriots beat Rivers and the Chargers
in the AFC title game to earn the trip to Arizona.

Manning, who has thrown six interceptions in the losing streak,
downplayed the head-to-head matchup with Rivers.

"This is the Giants versus San Diego," Manning said. "It is
about us getting back on track and getting that winning feeling
again. I think that is my only concern. I think that is kind of
in the past."

Rivers also was indifferent about facing New York. He said he
never talked to any Giants front office personnel after they
drafted him and he had no hard feeling in the wake of the trade.

"Again, I know it wasn't just a straight trade me for Eli or
vice versa," Rivers said. "There were some very key picks and
players involved in what the Chargers were able to acquire and,
honestly, players that have had a huge impact over this past six
years and continue to have. So I'm sure both teams are happy the
way it worked out."

If the Giants have an advantage it should be their running game
against the Chargers' defense, which is giving up 132.1 yards
per game. New York plays its best when the running game allows
Manning to pick when he throws.

With veteran C.C. Brown stuggling in recent weeks, the Giants
decided on Friday to start former Green Bay Packer Aaron Rouse
at safety in New York's final game before a bye week. Brown had
taken over for Kenny Phillips (IR) in September.

Tomlinson said road games against NFC East teams can be tough.

"We just kind of expect when you go play physical teams like
these, with the big crowds, fans are really into the game, it
becomes a tough place to play," he said. "It's somewhere that
we're really not used to. It's different from Kansas City and
Oakland and Denver. It's a little bit more."

For the Giants, this game has also come to mean a little bit
more.

"Guys are running around, flying around, making a lot of noise,"
Jacobs said of recent practices. "Everyone has been that guy
this week to get on someone else when they are not doing it
right, make them do it the right way. I said on Wednesday
morning that I was going to be that guy to come in here and jump
on people's backs when it doesn't look like they are working
hard. And about 40 other guys had the same mentality."

Chargers linebacker Shaun Phillips isn't concerned how the
Giants feel.

"We can't look at that, the Giants lost three in a row," he
said. "I mean, they're still a good football team, and they're
one of the better teams in the league. So, them losing three
straight has nothing to do with us. But we can't control what
they do. We can control what we do. As long as we continue to
have that mentality, I believe we'll be OK."]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/131821-Giants-face-Chargers-in-Manning-Rivers-matchup</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/131821-Giants-face-Chargers-in-Manning-Rivers-matchup</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:23:38 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Giants face Chargers in Manning-Rivers matchup]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By TOM CANAVAN
AP Sports Writer

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.(AP) -- Having been to the playoffs the past
four years, the New York Giants have rarely referred to a game
as must-win unless it was in the postseason.

Things have changed dramatically with three straight losses, and
more than one Giant is putting Sunday's game with the San Diego
Chargers into the better-not-lose category.

Forget that the contest will mark the first time Eli Manning and
Philip Rivers face each other since the draft-day trade in which
the Giants obtained the No. 1 overall pick from the Chargers for
the rights to Rivers, who was the No. 4 pick, and three other
draft choices, including one which turned out to be linebacker
Shawne Merriman.

Middle linebacker Antonio Pierce went so far as to proclaim this
another Super Bowl for the Giants (5-3), who have fallen behind
Philadelphia and Dallas in the NFC East.

It's just as important for the Chargers (4-3), who trail the
Denver Broncos by two games in the AFC West.

"I don't ever remember losing three games in a row," Giants
running back Brandon Jacobs said. "So a lot of guys around here
realize that in five years they have never really been part of
losing three games in a row and we have to do something about
it. And a lot of guys are willing to step up and go out and make
plays."

Actually, the Giants lost four in a row in 2006, when they
managed to make the playoffs despite an 8-8 record.

The Chargers are very similar to the Giants in that most of
their wins have been against the NFL's weaker teams (Kansas
City, Oakland twice and Miami), while their losses have been to
Denver, Pittsburgh and Baltimore.

"It'll be a heck of a challenge," said running back LaDainian
Tomlinson, who scored three touchdowns when the Drew Brees-led
Chargers beat Manning and the Giants in their last meeting in
2005.

"These guys are Super Bowl champs from a couple years ago. I
think it's a different type of team," Tomlinson said. "This is a
team that can run the ball effectively, they can throw the ball.
Defensive-wise, they get after the quarterback. They can stop
the run. And playing at their house, losing three straight, it's
going to be a tough game."

The key might be the big play. The Chargers have 18 passing
plays of 25 yards or more this season, tied for the third in the
NFL. The Giants, who have given up at least 40 points in two of
their three losses, have surrendered 15 pass plays of 20 yards
or more in their losing streak.

"I think everybody in the building recognizes where we are and
how we need to respond," Giants defensive coordinator Bill
Sheridan said.

The fun part of the game will be watching Manning and Rivers,
who have both become outstanding quarterbacks. The difference is
Manning led the Giants to a Super Bowl win over New England in
2008. Coincidentally, the Patriots beat Rivers and the Chargers
in the AFC title game to earn the trip to Arizona.

Manning, who has thrown six interceptions in the losing streak,
downplayed the head-to-head matchup with Rivers.

"This is the Giants versus San Diego," Manning said. "It is
about us getting back on track and getting that winning feeling
again. I think that is my only concern. I think that is kind of
in the past."

Rivers also was indifferent about facing New York. He said he
never talked to any Giants front office personnel after they
drafted him and he had no hard feeling in the wake of the trade.

"Again, I know it wasn't just a straight trade me for Eli or
vice versa," Rivers said. "There were some very key picks and
players involved in what the Chargers were able to acquire and,
honestly, players that have had a huge impact over this past six
years and continue to have. So I'm sure both teams are happy the
way it worked out."

If the Giants have an advantage it should be their running game
against the Chargers' defense, which is giving up 132.1 yards
per game. New York plays its best when the running game allows
Manning to pick when he throws.

Giants safety C.C. Brown has struggled since taking over for
Kenny Phillips (IR) and Rivers will likely target him in New
York's final game before a bye week.

Tomlinson said road games against NFC East teams can be tough.

"We just kind of expect when you go play physical teams like
these, with the big crowds, fans are really into the game, it
becomes a tough place to play," he said. "It's somewhere that
we're really not used to. It's different from Kansas City and
Oakland and Denver. It's a little bit more."

For the Giants, this game has also come to mean a little bit
more.

"Guys are running around, flying around, making a lot of noise,"
Jacobs said of recent practices. "Everyone has been that guy
this week to get on someone else when they are not doing it
right, make them do it the right way. I said on Wednesday
morning that I was going to be that guy to come in here and jump
on people's backs when it doesn't look like they are working
hard. And about 40 other guys had the same mentality."

Chargers linebacker Shaun Phillips isn't concerned how the
Giants feel.

"We can't look at that, the Giants lost three in a row," he
said. "I mean, they're still a good football team, and they're
one of the better teams in the league. So, them losing three
straight has nothing to do with us. But we can't control what
they do. We can control what we do. As long as we continue to
have that mentality, I believe we'll be OK."]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/131639-Giants-face-Chargers-in-Manning-Rivers-matchup</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/131639-Giants-face-Chargers-in-Manning-Rivers-matchup</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:10:27 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Chargers-Giants Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By SANTOSH VENKATARAMAN
STATS Senior Writer

Eli Manning and Philip Rivers will forever be linked by the
draft-day trade in 2004 that brought Manning to the New York
Giants and Rivers to the San Diego Chargers.

This season, they may end up being linked for leading a pair of
contenders that underachieved.

The quarterbacks meet for the first time Sunday at Giants
Stadium, with Manning looking to help New York avoid a fourth
straight loss and Rivers trying to lead the Chargers to their
first victory over a winning team.

San Diego (4-3) took Manning with the first pick in the 2004
draft, even though his family told the Chargers not to select
him days before. After they selected him anyway and the Giants
(5-3) chose Rivers at No. 4, the Chargers sent Manning to New
York for Rivers and picks that San Diego used on linebacker
Shawne Merriman and kicker Nate Kaeding.

The trade seems to have helped both clubs. Manning was the Super
Bowl MVP two years ago when the Giants upset the 18-0 Patriots -
the team that knocked off Rivers and the Chargers in the AFC
championship game. Both players have been to one Pro Bowl.

"It's fun," Rivers said Monday. "The one thing I know and I know
Eli knows, all the quarterbacks know, we're not playing one
another out there. We've got plenty of other things to worry
about on the defensive side of the ball we have to go against.

"But it is fun competing against another team led by a
quarterback that you are linked to in many ways, especially
being the same draft class."

Rivers backed up Drew Brees the last time these teams met - a
45-23 Chargers win Sept. 25, 2005. Manning was booed throughout
his first game in San Diego, but completed 24 of 41 passes for
352 yards and two touchdowns.

Manning would likely settle for a similar effort, considering
what he has produced during the Giants' slide. He had 10
touchdowns and two interceptions in New York's 5-0 start, but
threw three TDs and six interceptions over the last three games.

"There is no secret ingredient," Manning said. "There is no 'We
have to change our philosophy.' There is none of that. We are
not in panic mode right now. But we do need to get better and we
do need to play better than what we are playing right now. This
is going to be a big week for us, this week versus San Diego,
and hopefully we get back on track."

While Manning has played poorly the last three weeks, New York's
defense has been worse. The Giants were outscored 112-61 during
that span, with opponents totaling 1,172 yards.

New York allowed 180 rushing yards for the game and 30
first-half points in a 40-17 loss at Philadelphia on Sunday. The
Giants' last four-game losing streak came Nov. 12-Dec. 3, 2006.

"I don't know what has happened to us the last three weeks,"
defensive end Justin Tuck said. "That's kind of disheartening,
but it lets me know the guys care. You can just tell that
frustration is kind of boiling over."

The defense should get some help this week, with defensive
tackle Chris Canty and weakside linebacker Michael Boley
expected to play.

Canty has been sidelined since the opening game with a calf
injury. Boley had surgery on his right knee last month.

All of San Diego's wins were against losing teams, with its
defeats coming to contenders Denver, Baltimore and Pittsburgh.
The Chargers' two straight victories came against lowly Kansas
City and Oakland - teams that also account for two of New York's
wins.

"Every week is a treat to play in the NFL, to play in an NFL
game," Rivers said. "But these are the kind of games, the reason
why you play. You get to go right in the thick of all the action
in the East Coast, being in New York, and play, obviously, a
team that won the championship two years ago and is a very
capable one and thought of highly this year.

"It's a tough place to go on the road, in a game I think that
will say a lot about us."

San Diego limited Kansas City to 203 yards in a 37-7 road
victory Oct. 25 and held Oakland to 180 yards in last Sunday's
24-16 win. The Chargers know it will be more difficult against a
Giants offense that is fifth in the league with an average of
386.9 yards.

"We are growing and we're getting better," coach Norv Turner
said.  "We're getting some guys going. We'll have a great week
of practice and we're looking forward to going back and
playing."

The Giants rank 19th against the run, but will face a Chargers
rushing attack that is second worst in the league with 523
yards. LaDainian Tomlinson ran for 192 in the 2005 game against
New York, but has gone a career-high 13 straight games without
gaining 100.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/131341-Chargers-Giants-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/131341-Chargers-Giants-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:59:07 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
	
			
	</channel>
</rss>









