ESPN NFL

The San Diego offense doesn't have that same bite we've become accustomed to because many top players are dealing with nagging injuries. While quarterback Philip Rivers, coming off a torn ACL, has started strong, running back LaDainian Tomlinson has been slowed by a turf toe he suffered on opening day against Carolina and tight end Antonio Gates is still getting used to playing after having his left big toe surgically repaired in the offseason.

Tomlinson had just 35 yards on 12 carries in the 17-10 loss at Miami on Sunday. He was stopped on fourth and goal from the Miami 1 with the Chargers trailing 17-10 in the fourth quarter. Tomlinson had converted his previous five fourth-and-one attempts.

He admitted after the game the injury was bothering him. Tomlinson, 29, has 331 yards this season and is averaging 3.7 yards per carry. He has averaged less than four yards per carry only twice in his career.

Gates had one catch for 12 yards at Miami. He has 16 catches through five games. His season projection is 51 receptions. That would be his lowest catch total since his rookie year in 2003. Both Tomlinson and Gates are still fine players but their injuries are slowing them, which in turn is hurting the San Diego offense which helps explain the team's 2-3 start.

The Chargers, who host New England this Sunday before traveling to Buffalo and London (to face New Orleans) before having their bye, need to figure out a way to win as their stars try to heal.

They trail the 4-1 Broncos by two games in the AFC West. Yes, it's early but here are the cold hard facts. If Denver finishes 6-5 down the stretch and ends up 10-6, San Diego will have to finish 9-2 to win the division outright at 11-5. Yes, the Chargers rebounded from a slow start last year as they won their final six regular season games and ended up in the AFC championship game. But they weren't this banged up at this point of the season.