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SAN DIEGO -- If anything beneficial came out of the San Diego Chargers’ early-season stumbles in 2010, it was that the team that always seemed to be living dangerously had finally learned its lesson.

Starting slow can catch up to a team. In the three previous seasons under coach Norv Turner, the Chargers overcame slow starts with torrid finishes that resulted in AFC West championships. It didn’t happen last year. San Diego couldn’t overcome an early 2-5 hole and finished 9-7, allowing the upstart Kansas City Chiefs to steal the division title.

Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers said earlier in this abbreviated training camp that the Chargers must learn from last year’s disappointment and find a way to finally start fast.

Turner is all for starting fast, and he said one emphasis during camp is working to fix what has made the Chargers vulnerable in recent seasons. San Diego's offense has often been sloppy early on, committing too many turnovers. Last season, the Chargers committed 18 turnovers in their first seven games.

“We’ve played good football, but the turnovers hurt us,” Turner said. “When we didn’t turn the ball over, we’d win. That’s what we’re working on. I think the key is not talking about the slow starts, but working on the reason why we started slow.”

THREE HOT ISSUES

1. Getting special teams up to speed. The 2010 Chargers will be remembered for assembling perhaps the worst special-teams unit of all time. San Diego had the No. 1-ranked offense and No. 1-ranked defense in the NFL last year, yet it didn’t make the playoffs because of special teams, which cost the Chargers in every imaginable way. The Chargers have put a major emphasis on the unit during camp. Special-teams practice segments are long and spirited. New special-teams coach Rich Bisaccia is well-respected and determined to get his players on track.

“It is a major point of emphasis in this camp,” Turner said.

2. Get Ryan Mathews ready. This is a big camp for Mathews, the running back who was the No. 12 overall pick in 2010. He alarmed the team when he failed a conditioning test at the start of training camp. Teammates reportedly were surprised Mathews failed the test, and he admitted he should have worked out his legs more during the lockout. That is the last thing a team wants to hear from its rich 24-year-old tailback of the future. He is currently dealing with a minor leg injury that is expected to keep him out of the preseason opener against Seattle. Mathews had durability issues last year, although he flashed at times, and he must show during camp that he is ready to be a lead back and can stay healthy.

“Ryan has to get some carries,” Turner said. “We need to get him some work.”

Turner expects Mathews to continue to work in tandem with powerful veteran Mike Tolbert, who looks as fearsome as always. Tolbert is an underrated weapon. Look for him to see more action in all phases of the run game as Mathews tries to develop.

3. The veteran safeties. Oft-injured Bob Sanders looks good. It may be too much to ask for the former NFL Defensive Player of the Year to return to his peak form, considering he has played in nine games over the past three years, but Sanders looks primed to bounce back. He and fellow safety Eric Weddle, who last month signed a $40 million deal to stay in San Diego, seem to have a strong on-field connection. They should be fun to watch and should benefit from playing with each other.

“Bob has been amazing,” Weddle reports. “There’s no rust there.”

BIGGEST SURPRISE

The Chargers have their starting receivers together. That wasn’t expected.

The Chargers wanted to bring back No. 2 wideout Malcom Floyd, but they thought they would be outbid for Floyd's services. The market didn't develop as expected, though, so Floyd took a two-year deal that could be worth as much as $7 million to stay in San Diego.

That means the Chargers have No. 1 receiver Vincent Jackson (who held out for much of last season, and was given the franchise tag this year) and Floyd in the fold. Last year, because of a rash of injuries at the position, Rivers was throwing to street free agents at the end of the season. Having Jackson and Floyd at his disposal will be a treat for Rivers, who threw for 4,710 yards last season.

Add veteran Patrick Crayton and third-round possession receiver Vincent Brown, and the Chargers’ receiving corps is stronger than it was expected to be.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT

The Chargers couldn’t come to a contract agreement with inside linebacker Kevin Burnett. He was a priority for the team, but Burnett ended up being the one who got away from the Chargers, who otherwise enjoyed a strong free-agent period.

In the end, Burnett wanted more than San Diego was willing to offer, and he ended up signing with Miami.

Burnett had a good season for the Chargers in 2010, with 95 tackles and six sacks, and San Diego wanted him back as part of its 3-4 defense. Now a young player probably will be inserted opposite free-agent signee Takeo Spikes on the inside. Right now, 2010 draft pick Donald Butler (who missed all of his rookie year with an injury) is getting those repetitions with the first team. Second-round pick Jonas Mouton will have a chance to impress in the preseason too, and the Chargers could look for a veteran if the youngsters show they are not ready.

OBSERVATION DECK

• New defensive coordinator Greg Manusky -- who replaced Ron Rivera, now the head coach in Carolina -- lets his presence be known. He is a high-energy coach who is not afraid to bark instructions constantly. No need to worry about the San Diego defense falling flat after being ranked No. 1 in the NFL last year.
• Spikes has looked good. He is 34, but he played for Manusky in San Francisco last year and has Manusky's trust. Spikes has never played for a winner and seems energized by being part of this roster.
• Rookie free-agent quarterback Scott Tolzien has looked good in camp. The Wisconsin product is a smart player who may be a nice developmental prospect.
• The Chargers are not overly concerned about the foot injury hampering star tight end Antonio Gates, who started camp on the physically unable to perform list because of the plantar fascia injury that ended his 2010 season prematurely. The team will be cautious, and Gates is expected to be ready for the season.
• Louis Vasquez and Tyronne Green continue to vie for the right guard spot. Vasquez had been the starter, but Green proved to be a worthy injury replacement for Vasquez and now is hoping for more playing time.
• Sixth-round pick Jordan Todman is running the ball well. He could make a contribution as a rookie replacement for the departed Darren Sproles.
• Cornerback Antoine Cason is going to take over punt returns now that Sproles is gone.
• Defensive tackle Antonio Garay doesn’t look like a one-year wonder. He is having a strong camp after a huge season in 2010.
• The Chargers have loved what they've seen from rookie cornerback Marcus Gilchrist so far. He may have a chance to contribute.
• Last year, Chargers camp was dampened by the holdouts of Jackson and left tackle Marcus McNeill. This year, there is contract harmony after several players received new deals. It wouldn't surprise me to see Tolbert, Cason and center Nick Hardwick also get new deals in the next year.

The Chiefs signed restricted free-agent tackle Barry Richardson.

• Chargers cornerback and punt returner Antoine Cason is now expected to miss 2-4 weeks with a broken finger. He could still potentially be kept out of the preseason.

• The word is the Raiders may revisit bringing back offensive lineman Mario Henderson. The key for Henderson is controlling his weight.

• The Chargers special teams' unit has a new name. I’m not interested in cute names. Here’s my question: Is the unit going to stop costing the team games this season?

• Miami fans want Kyle Orton. But unless the Dolphins and Orton can come to a contract accord, trade talks will stay dead.

» AFC Future Stars: East | West | North | South » NFC: East | West | North | South

A team-by-team look at the players I expect to be the most dominant in the AFC West from 2014 to 2016.

The future looks bright in the AFC West. There are several promising young players in the division, and all four teams have hope for the future. Let’s look at the players I expect to have the most success in the middle of this decade.

Von Miller, Broncos linebacker: If the Broncos are going to rebound from their recent drought, it could start with Miller. He is an important figure in Denver and was the first pick of the John Elway/John Fox/Brian Xanders regime. The trio studied several players before deciding on the powerful Texas A&M linebacker for the No. 2 overall pick. Elway said that Miller was the most explosive player in the draft and that he reminds many NFL scouts of former Kansas City great linebacker Derrick Thomas. Miller is smart, extremely fast and athletically gifted. He seems like a can’t-miss prospect. The Broncos need him to be.

Eric Berry, Chiefs safety: Berry is going to be a special player. He is the centerpiece on a roster full of young, exciting talent. Berry was the No. 5 overall pick last year and was an immediate success. Berry was always on the field and made a huge impact. He instantly legitimized a defense that played a major role in a division title. He is a smart player who has a chance to be the NFL’s next great safety. I also considered the spectacular Jamaal Charles, but he will be 30 at the end of the 2016 season. Durability is a question mark about the speedster, so I went with Berry. Still, I expect Charles to be one of the NFL’s best running backs for the foreseeable future.

Lamarr Houston, Raiders defensive lineman: I’m taking Matt Williamson’s lead here. The Scouts Inc. brainiac is extremely high on the Raiders’ second-season defensive lineman. In fact, Williamson believes Houston could be one of the NFL’s best defensive linemen soon. He thinks Houston, a second-round pick from Texas, has no ceiling. Houston has the look of an impact player who plays with a mean streak. He was easy to notice in the preseason last year, and he made one big play after another as a rookie. He looks like he’ll be in the NFL for the next dozen years. He is versatile and can play in virtually every defensive situation. The Raiders have a host of young, intriguing players, including Darren McFadden, Jacoby Ford, Louis Murphy, Matt Shaughnessy, Rolando McClain and Tyvon Branch. But Houston seems like he can be special.

Ryan Mathews, Chargers running back: Mathews wasn’t spectacular as a rookie in 2010. But he showed enough flashes to make the Chargers excited about his future. Mathews was the No. 12 overall pick after the Chargers sent a huge package to Miami to move up 16 spots to take the Fresno State star. Mathews had injury and fumbling issues in 2010, but when he was healthy, he made several big plays and ran hard. He finished the season strong. The Chargers like the way he works and thinks he will be ready to take the next step soon. I was tempted to go with cornerback Antoine Cason or first-round pick Corey Liuget, but I think Mathews has the ability to have a long, productive career in San Diego.

» NFC Draft Watch: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

Each Thursday leading up to the NFL draft (April 28-30), the ESPN.com NFL blog network will take a division-by-division look at key aspects of the draft. Today’s topic: history in that spot.

Carolina Panthers

The Panthers’ top pick is No. 1 overall. Here are the last seven players taken in that spot, with their NFL team in parentheses:

2010 QB Sam Bradford (Rams)

2009: QB Matthew Stafford (Lions)

2008: OT Jake Long (Dolphins)

2007: QB JaMarcus Russell (Raiders)

2006: DE Mario Williams (Texans)

2005: QB Alex Smith (49ers)

2004: QB Eli Manning (Giants via Chargers)

Analysis: It’s still early, but indications are the Panthers are seriously considering taking a quarterback, and that probably narrows it down to Auburn’s Cam Newton and Missouri’s Blaine Gabbert. Part of the reason the Panthers are looking down this road is because they saw what the Rams got in Bradford last year. The early results from Bradford and Stafford have been encouraging. But Russell was a tremendous flop, and Smith hasn’t been much better. Manning is the only quarterback taken No. 1 overall in this time period to make a Pro Bowl. Even before Manning, the history of quarterbacks at No. 1 is shaky for a long time. Carson Palmer and Michael Vick have had some good years and some bad ones. David Carr and Tim Couch rank right up there with Russell. To find a quarterback drafted first overall who has been an unquestioned success you have to go all the way back to Peyton Manning in 1998, and there were some people at the time who thought Ryan Leaf could be just as good. Long story short: there might not be such a thing as a sure-fire quarterback, even with the No. 1 pick.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers’ top pick is No. 20 overall. Here are the last seven players taken in that spot, with their NFL team in parentheses:

2010: CB Kareem Jackson (Texans)

2009: TE Brandon Pettigrew (Lions)

2008: CB Aqib Talib (Buccaneers)

2007: CB Aaron Ross (Giants)

2006: DE Tamba Hali (Chiefs)

2005: DE Marcus Spears (Cowboys)

2004: DE Kenechi Udeze (Vikings)

Analysis: The Bucs have been in this territory recently and have had tremendous results and one very big complication. The Bucs were at No. 19 heading into the 2009 draft, which was the first for general manager Mark Dominik and coach Raheem Morris. They feared missing out on a chance to get the guy they believed would be their franchise quarterback. That’s why they traded up to No. 17 and took Josh Freeman. You can’t question that move, because Freeman single-handedly turned the franchise around last season. Even taking Talib at No. 20 -- and it should be pointed out that move was made by former general manager Bruce Allen and coach Jon Gruden -- brought some positive results. When on the field, Talib showed flashes of being one of the best young cover corners in the game. But the latest in a series of off-field troubles means Talib is probably on his way out of Tampa Bay. The lesson to be learned here is that you can get big-time talent in the draft, but it’s wise to do your homework on the character and attitudes of players. It’s common knowledge the Bucs desperately need a defensive end. Look at Hali and Spears. They represent two ends of the spectrum. Hali came with some questions about being undersized but had no character issues, and he’s turned out to be a solid pass-rusher. Spears came with some questions about attitude and never has panned out.

New Orleans Saints

The Saints’ top pick is No. 24 overall. Here are the last seven players taken in that spot, with their NFL team in parentheses:

2010: WR Dez Bryant (Cowboys)

2009: DT Peria Jerry (Falcons)

2008: RB Chris Johnson (Titans)

2007: DB Brandon Meriweather (Patriots)

2006: CB Johnathan Joseph (Bengals)

2005: QB Aaron Rodgers (Packers)

2004: RB Steven Jackson (Rams)

Analysis: Johnson, Rodgers and Jackson are proof that you can get a big-time player this late in the draft. The Saints aren’t looking for a quarterback because they have Drew Brees. But running back isn’t out of the realm of possibility, and when you see guys like Johnson and Jackson have been available at this spot, it makes you wonder about the Saints taking a shot if Alabama’s Mark Ingram is there. Yes, defensive end and outside linebacker might be greater needs, and those positions are possibilities. Pierre Thomas re-signed, Reggie Bush is expected to stay and Chris Ivory is recovering from injury, but the Saints still have to think back to the end of last year when they basically ran out of running backs.

Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons’ top pick is No. 27 overall. Here are the last seven players taken in that spot, with their NFL team in parentheses:

2010: CB Devin McCourty (Patriots)

2009: RB Donald Brown (Colts)

2008: CB Antoine Cason (Cardinals)

2007: WR Robert Meachem (Saints)

2006: RB DeAngelo Williams (Panthers)

2005: WR Roddy White (Falcons)

2004: OLB/DE Jason Babin (Texans)

Analysis: Although nearly every draft guru is projecting that the Falcons will take a defensive end, it’s not out of the question that a wide receiver or running back could be the pick here. General manager Thomas Dimitroff and coach Mike Smith have talked a lot about wanting to add explosive players. If they look at their own history and the recent history of NFC South teams who have been in this spot, the idea of going with a receiver or running back could get stronger. Although it took some time for him to develop, White has turned into one of the game’s top receivers. Meachem also took some time and dealt with some injuries but has emerged as a force in the New Orleans passing game. Williams had some explosiveness as soon as he joined the Panthers.

The San Diego Chargers don’t want Thursday night's game to be their final home date of the season. So, they better be the same Chargers team that beat the visiting Chiefs, 31-0, on Sunday and not the San Diego team that lost to Oakland by 15 points at home Dec. 5. The Chargers must win-out, and hope the Chiefs stumble once, so San Diego can win its fifth straight AFC West crown.

Here are five things to look for in San Diego's regular-season home finale against San Francisco:

Can Rivers keep it under 30? It is clear the Chargers' best recipe of winning is to keep quarterback Philip Rivers’ pass totals down. San Diego is 1-6 when Rivers tosses more than 30 passes in a game this season. It is 6-0 when Rivers throws less than 30 passes in a game. That is resounding proof to the Chargers that they must have balance to win.

Chargers are using the shotgun well: When Rivers does pass against the 49ers, it won’t be a surprise if he uses the shotgun. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Rivers completed 15 of 17 passes for 204 yards and a touchdown pass while using the shotgun against the Chiefs. I’m sure the Chargers will try to stay hot by using the same formation just four days after it worked so well against Kansas City.

Third-down madness: The San Diego defense was dominant on third down against the Chiefs, holding them to no conversion in 11 attempts. San Francisco has converted just 34 percent of its third-down attempts this season, tied for the fifth-lowest percentage in the NFL.

Getting it done, Cason: Focus on San Diego cornerback Antoine Cason. The Chargers’ top pick in 2008, Cason has ably taken over for the spectacular but inconsistent Antonio Cromartie, who was traded to the Jets in the offseason. Cason has played well the past several weeks opposite Quentin Jammer, and his pass-defense numbers have been among the league's best this season.

The Chargers may want to go up the middle again: According to ESPN Stats & Information, the Chargers ran the ball well up the middle against the Chiefs. I’d expect the Chargers to try to force the ball down the 49ers’ throat as well. More than a half of San Diego's 207 rushing yards against Kansas City were gained on plays up the middle. A running game that wears down a defense up the gut, plus the presence of Rivers, makes San Diego’s offense difficult to contain.

SAN DIEGO -- The outside world had given up on the San Diego Chargers, tired of their maddening mistakes.

Yet, Norv Turner let his team know he hadn’t given up on it, but it was time for it to start playing up to its potential and stop the self-destruction. Turner, who has a reputation for being laid back and lacking fire, delivered the most impassioned halftime speech of his four-year tenure in San Diego. The theme of the loud, colorfully worded address was belief.

“I’ve never seen him like that before,” San Diego safety Eric Weddle said. “He told us how much he cares about us and he’d do anything for us. ... But he also told us it was time to get going. It was basically ‘now, let’s go freaking get it done.’ ... I think that speech was a big reason why we came out like we did in the second half."

Losers of their past three games, the Chargers were in serious danger of seeing their AFC playoff hopes vanish Sunday. Tennessee was up by 12 points at one point in the first half. But spurred on by Turner’s words from the heart, San Diego took over in the second half and beat the Titans 33-25.

The Chargers are now 3-5. They trail Kansas City (5-2) and Oakland (4-4) in the AFC West. The Chargers have come back with a strong second half in each of Turner’s first three seasons, all of which ended with division titles. Yet, had San Diego not won Sunday, it would have been entering the second half of the season in a major hole.

“It’s not a sigh of relief -- we’re 3-5,” San Diego running back Mike Tolbert said. “It’s not like we’re 8-0, or 7-1. ... But it’s a start. We know we’re capable of winning again.”

And now so do all the critics. Along with Dallas, San Diego has been a major disappointment this season. The Chargers took a shellacking on ESPN’s "Sunday NFL Countdown" on Sunday morning.

Here is a sampling of the verbal beating San Diego’s players, Turner and general manager A.J. Smith took:

Keyshawn Johnson: “No players. And when you don’t have players, you can’t win in this league. ... I put the blame on the general manager. He’s the guy in the offseason that made a decision not to sign certain guys, run certain guys off.”

Tom Jackson: “It looks like the opportunity has passed them by and A.J. eventually is to blame.”

Mike Ditka: “The front office is horrible to make the decisions it’s made."

Chris Berman: “I’m embarrassed for the Chargers.”

The Chargers missed the nationally televised dressing down because they were preparing to face the Titans. Smith wasn’t available to react to the comments. But I had a chance to discuss them with some of the players after the game.

They were amused.

“No talent?” Weddle said. “OK, I’ll take this no-talented team any day of the week. That’s fine. It’s OK no one respects us. Our coach does and we do, too.”

Added Tolbert: “That’s what happens when you are 2-5. People have been killing us all season. But what matters most is what our coach and everyone in this room thinks about us.”

I didn’t get the chance to ask Turner about the comments, but in his news conference, he alluded to outside criticism.

“I’m truly excited for those guys in that room because they don’t blink,” Turner said. “There are some people that might doubt them. We know who we are.”

It was only one game, but if San Diego takes off, Sunday’s performance and Turner’s speech will be viewed as the turning point. San Diego has done this before. It won its final six games of the 2007 season, its final four games of the 2008 season and its final 11 games of the 2009 season.

“This is something to build on,” San Diego cornerback Antoine Cason said. “Let’s go build on it.”

San Diego cut the Titans’ lead to 19-14 with 1:55 to go in the first half. It evolved into a 20-0 run by San Diego, which led by eight points twice in the fourth quarter.

The catalysts, as usual, were quarterback Philip Rivers and tight end Antonio Gates. Playing without his top four wide receivers (and playing with undrafted rookie Seyi Ajirotutu), Rivers threw for 305 yards. It was the fifth time he has thrown for 300-plus yards this season. He has passed for 2,649 yards this season. No other quarterback in the history of the NFL has thrown for more yards after eight games.

Gates, playing with a bum toe, had five catches for 123 yards, including a 48-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter. It was a gutsy comeback performance by the two leaders on this team.

It wasn’t all perfect for San Diego. It had its fourth punt blocked this season (that gave the Titans a safety early in the game) and an extra-point attempt was muffed in the fourth quarter, which kept it an eight-point game. The San Diego defense, which like the Chargers’ offense entered the game ranked No. 1 overall, gave up way too many big plays.

But the Chargers found a way to overcome mistakes. That hadn’t been the case this season. This has to be looked at as progress in San Diego. Perhaps this will be the start of another turnaround. If it is, the Chargers will always remember a rare show of intensity by their coach.

“I can tell you the fire I was able to see in [Turner’s] eyes and what it meant to him,” Gates said. “It meant the world to me for a coach to have that faith and belief in his team.”

SAN DIEGO -- Tuesday is an off day in the NFL.

It wasn’t one in San Diego last week.

The Chargers’ facility was teeming with focused players Tuesday afternoon, hours after the team flew home in the middle of the night after losing in a rain storm in Kansas City on "Monday Night Football."

The San Diego players didn’t lose their day off as a punishment for the loss (that type of stuff is not allowed). No, nearly every player showed up to work Tuesday on their own accord. They independently decided to work on their day off.

“It was a complete focus from Tuesday on, starting pretty much the time we got off the plane,” San Diego safety Eric Weddle said Sunday. “This was a week of complete focus on being the team we know we are.”

The Chargers didn’t seem like a team in need of a day off Sunday as they completely thrashed visiting Jacksonville 38-13 in a game that was blacked out on local television for the first time in six years. San Diego dominated every phase of the game and it looked like the Super Bowl contender it expected to be. Clearly, the extra attention spent during the week paid off.

Hey guys, as a reward, take this Tuesday off. Enjoy the beach. Hang with the family. You earned it.

Several players said after the game that there was no worry about having yet another slow start to the season, even after the 21-14 loss at Kansas City in Week 1. The Chargers had been 5-7 in September under coach Norv Turner heading into the Jacksonville game. Slow starts have been a way of life the past the three seasons.

Yet, this year, San Diego didn’t feel the weight of starting slow.

San Diego knows it played pretty well at Kansas City, especially on defense. The offense stalled during a two-quarter monsoon. Yet, the Chargers still almost found a way to win.

“I hate to make excuses, but we all knew how weather hurt us last week,” San Diego receiver Craig Davis said. "There was no worry that we weren’t a good team or anything. We knew we’d come back and show we’re a strong offense.”

During the week, San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers said he knew the team would have “a great year.”

Absent of panic or worry, the Chargers demonstrated their power Sunday.

Rivers threw for 334 yards and three touchdowns, erasing talk that the team is paralyzed on offense without holdout receiver Vincent Jackson and left tackle Marcus McNeill. Defensively, San Diego swarmed Jacksonville and created six turnovers.

“The offense and defense both did their jobs today,” Weddle said. “This is team we are.”

The following are key aspects to the game:

Mathews has scare: It got tense at Qualcomm Stadium early in the second quarter when prized rookie tailback Ryan Mathews had to be helped off the field and he was taken to the locker room on a cart with a right ankle injury.

Mathews did run back to the sideline late in the second quarter. He did not play. He probably would have played if the game was in doubt.

He described his injury as a mild sprain but insisted he could have played. He probably will be monitored this week.

“I’m a football player,” the No. 12 overall draft pick in April said. “I want to play football.”

Mathews had 26 yards on five carries and two catches for 29 yards before he was hurt. Mathews was stripped of the ball once. He has now been stripped of the ball and has lost two fumbles in two NFL games. Still, he said he is not concerned about having any fumble issues.

Still, I’m sure his coaches are concerned.

Human bowling ball Mike Tolbert ran for 82 yards on 16 carries as he took over for Mathews as the primary tailback. San Diego, which was ranked No. 31 in rushing offense last season, racked up 151 yards rushing on 30 carries.

“We ran the ball even without Ryan,” Davis said. “We didn’t run the ball well last season, so that was a good sign for us.”

Offense on point: There can’t be much squawking about Jackson and McNeill’s absence this week. Eight San Diego players combined for 22 catches. Rivers received terrific protection and he was sacked only once.

“We have a great group to throw the football to,” Rivers said.

It will be interesting to see if San Diego general manager A.J. Smith feels good enough about his offense after this performance to deal Jackson.

Minnesota is among the teams interested in him. The Vikings lost Sunday to fall to 0-2. Plus, receiver Percy Harvin has a hip injury. Minnesota may be tempted to try to save the season and overpay for Jackson.

Under a settlement reached Thursday, Jackson has to sit out the first four games of the season under suspension -- instead of six -- if he is traded by 4 p.m. Wednesday. If that window closes without a deal, Jackson will only be able to be traded after the Chargers’ sixth game Oct. 17 and before the Oct. 19 trade deadline.

It’s something to watch this week.

Defense swarms: The first half was sloppy as the two teams combined for seven turnovers. Yet, every time San Diego’s offense made a miscue (two of Rivers' passes were intercepted on balls that bounced off of a receiver’s hands) the defense would step up.

San Diego had four interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Cornerback Antoine Cason, who was chosen to replace the traded Antonio Cromartie, had two interceptions and forced a fumble.

San Diego, which didn’t crumble even though Jacksonville used a no-huddle offense often, had only two sacks but often pressured the quarterback. San Diego has now played eight quarters of solid football.

“It was a total team effort,” linebacker Kevin Burnett said. “It doesn’t get better than that.”

A performance like that calls for a day off.

SAN DIEGO -- Some thoughts at halftime where San Diego leads Jacksonville, 21-6. There have been seven turnovers, four by Jacksonville and three by the Chargers. Sloppy times by the beach.

The Chargers are dominating this game, but they have made enough mistakes to keep it close. However, a San Diego touchdown drive later in the second quarter was a huge blow to Jacksonville.

San Diego’s defense is energized. San Diego has intercepted Jacksonville quarterback David Garrard three times. The Chargers also have one fumble recovery. Right cornerback Antoine Cason, in his second game as a starter, has two interceptions and has forced a fumble.

San Diego tight end Antonio Gates had two touchdown catches in the second quarter. Gates has 62 career touchdown catches and is tied at second with Shannon Sharpe for touchdowns by a tight end.

Former San Diego special teams ace Kassim Osgood added to San Diego’s special teams woes in the early season by blocking a punt by his good friend, Mike Scifres.

ESPN.com NFL Power Ranking (pre-camp): 10

SAN DIEGO -- Philip Rivers, with the benefit of solid protection, dropped back, scanned the field and let loose with what is very likely the NFL’s prettiest deep ball.

Galloping down the right sideline, Malcom Floyd skied high in double coverage and brought down a spectacular catch, breaking away from coverage and reaching the end zone. A large training camp crowd erupted. It was just another big play from the explosive San Diego Chargers offense during this camp.

The Chargers are not spending the early days of camp worrying about who isn't in attendance and how are they going to survive without them. Instead, the Chargers are acting like a team preparing for a Super Bowl run with the players who are in camp.

“We’re going every day and we’re going hard,” San Diego coach Norv Turner said. "Sure, we’d like everyone here, but they aren’t here and we feel good with what the guys who are here are doing. There is a calmness here.”

The Chargers could be excused if there was a sense of panic at camp. They are practicing without Pro Bowl receiver Vincent Jackson, left tackle Marcus McNeill and linebacker Shawne Merriman, all of whom are holding out. Jackson and McNeill are expected to hold out well into the season. Merriman’s status is less clear.

The attitude in San Diego is not one of a season that is about to be lost. Training camp is being used as a time to get everyone ready for a long run.

“I’m not going to say we don’t miss those guys, because we do,” Rivers said. “I miss throwing the ball to Vincent and I miss standing on the sidelines jawing with Marcus. Those are important guys. But at the same time, we are moving forward. We feel very comfortable with the guys who are here. We’re getting a lot done.”

THREE HOT ISSUES

1. Do the Chargers have enough depth to prepare effectively without their veteran holdouts? It is only the first week, but there appears to be little doubt San Diego will leave training camp feeling good about the positions where players are holding out.

The key is San Diego’s tremendous depth. Chargers general manager A.J. Smith may get some grief for not giving in and signing the holdout veterans, but he also has his team in position to survive the losses. San Diego is deep at many key positions. Smith has been careful to mix proven veteran talent with intriguing young prospects.

Last year, the Chargers lost defensive tackle Jamal Williams for the entire season and center Nick Hardwick for virtually the entire regular season in Week 1. The Chargers plugged in people and went 13-3 in the regular season.

“We’ve been through this before in a lot of ways,” Turner said. “We feel good with the young players here.”

Jackson is being replaced by Legedu Naanee and Buster Davis, both of whom are having terrific camps. McNeill is being replaced by Brandyn Dombrowski. He was a valuable injury replacement at guard and right tackle last season. There is also veteran Tra Thomas, who can help as well. Merriman is being replaced by 2009 first-round pick Larry English, who was drafted to replace Merriman in case he departed through free agency. English appears to have made great strides this offseason after a lackluster rookie season.

2. Will Ryan Mathews be up for the challenge of replacing a legend? This is a landmark time in Chargers history. The team is moving away from the LaDainian Tomlinson era. He was cut in February after nine seasons in San Diego. Tomlinson had a Hall of Fame career, but he faltered the past two seasons.

While Tomlinson is still a respected figure in San Diego, it is clear that the Chargers are relieved to move on and help ignite the run game, which ranked No. 31 in the NFL last season.

It’s Mathews’ job in training camp to make the team feel comfortable that he is up to the task of bringing balance back to San Diego’s offense. Mathews was the No. 12 overall pick and people in the organization have been raving about him.

“He does not seem affected by having to replace LaDainian,” Rivers said. “He’s very humble and very confident. It doesn’t seem too big for him. We expect a very productive training camp from him.”

3. Is Antoine Cason the answer at right cornerback? While Antonio Cromartie is far from the legacy player Tomlinson was, he is a high-profile departure. He was traded to the Jets on the first day of the trading season. He is being replaced by Cason, San Diego’s first-round pick in 2008.

The Chargers are excited about the change. Cromartie had 10 interceptions in 2007, but he had a total of five in the next two seasons. Cromartie made many mental mistakes, he was poor against the run and he had some off-field concerns.

The Chargers believe they will be in better shape with Cason, who has been lauded for his intelligence and preparation. Cromartie may be a big name, but the Chargers believe Cason will continue to prove in camp that Cromartie isn’t a big loss.

BIGGEST SURPRISE

You would think that the Chargers would be nervous about not having Jackson, McNeill and Merriman in camp. It doesn’t seem like they miss them at all. Practices have been crisp and dynamic. Players are very confident and replacements for each absent player don’t appear to be intimidated at all. The Chargers will surely miss these guys on the field if it gets to that point, but there is no wallowing in the early stages of camp. This team means business.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT

Merriman needs to be in camp. He is holding out because he wants assurances that the Chargers won’t trade him. He has been upset that he was the subject of trade talk during the past year. The Chargers won’t give him those assurances, but Smith has said he has no current plans to deal Merriman. Merriman really has no leverage here. We all know he’s going to play this year. This is a huge season for the rest of his career. He has to prove he can be a dominant pass-rusher again as he enters the final year of his contract. He is just wasting time by not being at camp.

OBSERVATION DECK

• Quietly, many in San Diego think the offensive line is ready for a big season. The unit may be motivated by critical comments made by Tomlinson. Among his many excuses for his dramatic lack of production last season was the offensive line play. The line isn’t saying anything about it, but the word is this group is very inspired.
• The Chargers are excited about inside linebacker Brandon Siler. He came on strong last season and should have a big role on the defense this season.
• Look out for linebacker Antwan Applewhite. He was hurt last year, but the Chargers think he could be a secret weapon. He is a special-teams ace and could play a role as a pass-rusher. He is a fierce player.
• Turner is excited to have veteran tight end Randy McMichael. The two were together in Miami in 2002-03 and Turner thinks the veteran can help. Known as a good receiver, McMichael is an underrated blocker, Turner said. The Chargers are also high on backup tight end Kris Wilson.
• Undrafted rookie receiver Jeremy Williams from Tulane has had a good early camp and is the favorite to be the No. 5 receiver.
• While losing Rivers would be devastating, the Chargers have one of the best backups in the NFL in Billy Volek. The guy is a pro and has looked sharp.
• Expect big fullback Mike Tolbert to give San Diego a boost in the short-yardage game. The 5-foot-9, 243-pound Tolbert is a load.
• The Chargers were thrilled with the play of right guard Louis Vasquez last season as a rookie. The word is Vasquez is continuing to make strides and the Chargers think they have a real find.

SAN DIEGO -- There doesn’t appear to be much worry in San Diego about the loss of Antonio Cromartie.

It’s early, but his replacement, Antoine Cason, is tearing it up. The third-year cornerback has been one of the standouts of training camp so far.

Cason, San Diego’s first-round draft pick in 2008, is stepping into the starting lineup to take over for the traded Cromartie. He was sent to the New York Jets on the first day of the trading period.

The Chargers grew tired of Cromartie on and off the field. Cromartie had a total of five interceptions the past two seasons after having 10 interceptions in 2007. He made many mental mistakes and he was a major liability against the run.

Cason has impressed the coaching staff with his intelligent, steady play. He has also proved to be quite the ball hawk.

Cason said the key to his early success is he is relaxed and he knows it’s his time to shine.

“This is it, this is my chance,” Cason said. "I'm seizing it. ... It was my goal to start by my third year. It’s here. I’m doing it and it feels great. I really feel like I belong out there.”

Cason said he was focused on his task from the moment Cromartie was traded.

“I knew what was ahead of me and I knew what it took to make it work,” Cason said. “It’s good to finally be at camp and put it to work.”

Cason struggled some in the middle of last season and lost playing time. He regrouped and finished strong. He said that experience helped him prepare for his greatest task: Being an NFL starting cornerback.

‘I wouldn’t trade my NFL path,” Cason said. “I’ve had adversity and that’s what it takes to get better. It’s made me a better player and a better person. It made me ready for this year.”

It is going to be a crucial season for several young players in the AFC West, where training camp begins in three weeks. Here's a look at 10 division players who are expected to have breakout years:

Branden Albert, left tackle, Kansas City: This is Albert’s third year with the Chiefs, who took him with the No. 15 overall pick in 2008. He was inconsistent as a rookie, but he made improvements as last season went on. If he continues to make strides, he should be fine. Kansas City gave him a big vote of confidence when it didn’t take left tackle Russell Okung in the first round of the draft this year and move Albert to right tackle. Kansas City selected safety Eric Berry instead with the No. 5 pick.

Antoine Cason, cornerback, San Diego: The Chargers felt good enough about Cason to trade Antonio Cromartie to the Jets this offseason. Cason, the No. 28 pick in 2008, takes over as starting right cornerback in San Diego. He played extensively in his first two seasons and lost playing time early in 2009, but bounced back and finished strong. The Chargers want more consistency and toughness than Cromartie provided. Cason, a smart playmaker, should be up to the task.

Glenn Dorsey, defensive lineman, Kansas City: Dorsey probably shouldn’t be on this list anymore. The No. 5 overall pick in 2008 was expected to already be an established stud going into his third season. While Dorsey has played well occasionally, he has been far from a dominant player. Many scouts and coaches thought he was the top player in the 2008 draft, but he has been a big disappointment. He has had two different coaching staffs in the past two seasons and had a hard time adjusting to the 3-4 defense in 2009. He may be moved around the defensive line this year as the Chiefs try to find the best spot for him. He must perform this season or it could be his last in Kansas City.

Malcom Floyd, receiver, San Diego: Floyd, who had 45 catches for 776 yards in 2009, came on strong last season as he took over for Chris Chambers as San Diego’s No. 2 receiver. More is expected out of this late bloomer in 2010. Star receiver Vincent Jackson is expected to hold out for several weeks. That means Floyd, who will turn 29 in September, may be Philip Rivers’ top receiving option outside of tight end Antonio Gates. The ball will be flying out of Rivers’ hand and Floyd will be expected to play like a No. 1 receiver. (Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. has more on Floyd here in his Pressure Point story.)

Darren McFadden, running back, Oakland: Like Dorsey, McFadden has been disappointing. Drafted one pick behind Dorsey in 2008, he has had only one good NFL game, in the second week of his rookie season (164 rushing yards). A practice star, McFadden has not made an impact in games and has been injury prone. Running backs have short shelf lives, and the talented McFadden must get it going. The Raiders expect him to shine along with Michael Bush.

Knowshon Moreno, running back, Denver: There also is a lot of pressure on Moreno, the No. 12 overall pick last year. After starting the season fairly well, Moreno nosedived dramatically. He was terrible in the final month of the season as Denver fell out of the playoff race after starting 6-0. He had 173 rushing yards and averaged 2.7 yards a carry in the final four games of the season. He is the starter again, but he must show he can carry the load for the entire season.

Legedu Naanee, receiver, San Diego: Like his teammate Floyd, Naanee will have a lot resting on his shoulders if Jackson decides to sit. Naanee will likely be the No. 2 receiver in that scenario and, in many ways, will have more pressure than Floyd. At least Floyd had nine starts in 2009. Naanee, who only had one start in 2009, must take the leap from role player to starter.

Eddie Royal, receiver, Denver: No one would have expected Royal to be on this list a year ago. After his rookie campaign, Royal already looked established. He had 91 catches and was a spark plug for Mike Shanahan’s offense in 2008 after being a second-round pick. Shanahan’s decision to draft Royal over DeSean Jackson seemed warranted. Now that pick is being questioned after Royal stumbled in Josh McDaniels’ offense, netting only 37 catches for 345 yards last season. Royal, who was the targeted receiver 79 times last season opposed to 129 times the season before, will probably play in the slot this season. Denver thinks he can bounce back. If not, he just may end up being a small backup receiver/return man, which is acceptable, but so much more was expected from him after his breakout year.

Chaz Schilens, receiver, Oakland: Schilens was a seventh-round pick in 2008 and showed promise as a rookie with 15 catches. Because of Oakland’s young receiving crew, Schilens, 24, was Oakland’s No. 1 receiver last season. While he missed the first half of the season with a broken foot, he had a decent finish with 29 catches for 365 yards in eight games. Schilens has the look of a player who can become a fine receiver. But he is still green and must show he can stay healthy. If so, he could be on his way to a big career.

Trevor Scott, linebacker, Oakland: The sixth-round pick in 2008 has 12 sacks in two NFL seasons, including seven last season. He was moved from defensive end to outside linebacker and will be given a chance to start in 2010. If Scott can show he can hold his own in coverage and in running situations, he could be a standout. He has terrific pass-rush skills.

» NFC History: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

» Draft Watch: Biggest needs (2/17) | Busts/gems (2/24) | Schemes, themes (3/3) | Recent history (3/10) | Needs revisited (3/17) | Under-the-radar needs (3/26) | History in that spot (3/31) | Draft approach (4/7) | Decision-makers (4/14) | Dream scenario/Plan B (4/21)

Each week leading up to the NFL draft (April 22-24), the ESPN.com blog network will take a division-by-division look at key aspects of the draft. Today's topic: History in that spot.

Dallas Cowboys

My colleague Mike Sando from the NFC West bureau has done some outstanding research on this very topic. Over the past 15 years, he's discovered that running backs have been quite popular at No. 27. From 1995-09, there were four running backs taken, three wide receivers and three offensive linemen. True to form, the Colts selected Donald Brown at No. 27 overall in '09 and there's a good chance he'll start for the next six or seven seasons.

In '08, the Chargers selected cornerback Antoine Cason at No. 27. He's had four interceptions and 10 pass breakups in his first two seasons. Teams at the bottom of the first round love it when cornerbacks slip a little bit. That's why I keep saying the Cowboys will keep a close eye on Rutgers cornerback Devin McCourty. And remember, you heard it here first. In '07, I took at trip to Tulsa, Okla., to do a story on a former team roper named Robert Meachem. He'd become a star receiver at Tennessee and the Saints selected him at No. 27 . Meachem was a huge disappointment in his rookie season, reporting to work out of shape. But now he's a key member of the Saints' elite corps of receivers. So in the past three years, you've seen teams connect on those late first-round picks.

New York Giants

Most people believe the Giants need to draft a linebacker in the first round. And as Sando's research indicates, that's been a very popular position at the No. 15 spot, where the Giants will be. In the past 15 drafts, teams have selected five linebackers at No. 15. Will Alabama's Rolando McClain still be available? We're about to find out. The Steelers selected Florida State linebacker Lawrence Timmons at No. 15 overall in '07 and I'd say that's worked out pretty well. The Chiefs took offensive tackle Branden Albert out of Virginia in '08 and last year the Texans went with former USC linebacker Brian Cushing. That's two excellent linebackers at No. 15 in the past three years. Bodes pretty well for Giants fans.

Philadelphia Eagles

For whatever reason, there's been an inordinate number of defensive backs taken at No. 24 overall. And it wouldn't surprise me to see the Eagles continue that trend. The team could take a safety or cornerback and feel pretty good about it in my mind. The Eagles have a lot of practice selecting in this range, so they won't get caught off guard. Last year, the Falcons took defensive tackle Peria Jerry out of Ole Miss in the No. 24 hole. And in '08, the Titans selected running back Chris Johnson, now the most prolific runner in the league. In '07, the Patriots drafted Miami safety Brandon Meriweather and turned him into a pretty versatile player. And how can anyone forget the No. 24 pick in the '05 draft? It was the ultimate green room debacle, Cal quarterback Aaron Rodgers. That's obviously worked out pretty well for the Packers.

Washington Redskins

There's no real consensus at the No. 4 pick over the past 15 drafts. But there's only been one quarterback taken No. 4 overall -- if you can believe that. The position is so valuable that the top player at that position (Sam Bradford this year) is almost always gone by No. 4. Last season, the Seahawks played it really safe with Wake Forest linebacker Aaron Curry, who's going to be an excellent player in the league for years to come. The Raiders selected Arkansas running back Darren McFadden No. 4 overall in '08 and you can't say that's really panned out for them. Of course, nothing they've done the past decade has really panned out for them. The Bucs took Clemson defensive end Gaines Adams No. 4 overall in '07 and we all know that his life ended tragically this past January. In '06, the Jets found an excellent left tackle in D'Brickashaw Ferguson of Virginia. The Redskins would be wise to follow the Jets' lead in three weeks. In '05, the Bears went with Texas running back Cedric Benson. But I wouldn't worry about the Redskins taking a running back at No. 4. There's no one good enough to tempt them at that spot. Shanahan would rather go with the old warhorses, Clinton Portis and Larry Johnson.

Antoine Cason is not focused on the big-picture implications of Antonio Cromartie's trade from the Chargers to the New York Jets.

Cason, the Chargers’ 2008 first-round pick, is just focused on getting better.

“The trade was out of my control and it was none of my business,” Cason said Friday. “My focus has to be myself and improving.”

In reality, though, the trade affects Cason greatly. With Cromartie out of San Diego -- he was dealt to the Jets on Thursday night for a 2011 third-round pick that could become a second-round pick based on Cromartie's playing time – Cason is now set to start at cornerback opposite Quentin Jammer.

One of the reasons why San Diego was willing to trade Cromartie was because it feels Cason is ready to take on the full-time starting role.

Cason lost his nickel job to safety Steve Gregory in October. But he ended the season strong, playing a lot of cornerback. Cason has shown he is prone to making big plays and he is a ball hawk.

“I learned during the season that I wasn’t working hard enough. I thought I was,” Cason said. “It was a great learning experience … I’m completely prepared for this opportunity. I’m very confident in my abilities.”

He needs to be because Cason is now a starting NFL cornerback.

» NFC Final Word: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

Five nuggets of knowledge about Week 11:

Will the Broncos be frisky this time around? The last time the Denver Broncos and San Diego Chargers met (Oct. 19 in San Diego), the Broncos insulted the Chargers by holding a team huddle near the Chargers’ pregame warm-ups. The Chargers took offense and there was a pushing-and-shoving match. The Broncos proceeded to beat the Chargers, 34-23. After the game, many San Diego players expressed displeasure with the Broncos’ antics. San Diego linebacker Shawne Merriman said he’d see the Broncos again and make them aware of their disrespectful actions. On Sunday, the two teams meet with the division lead on the line. Will Denver try similar pregame antics after losing three straight games?

Are the Broncos going to copy the 2003 Vikings? I covered the 2003 Minnesota Vikings. They are known for being the only team to start 6-0 and not make the playoffs. Minnesota finished 9-7. After starting 6-0, they lost four straight. The Broncos are in danger of suffering the same fate. The Broncos are 6-3 after losing three straight games and a 3.5-game lead over the Chargers in the past four weeks. These type of nosedives just don’t happen often. Denver is the 12th team since 2001 to start 6-0. Nine of the other 11 teams finished 13-3 or better, one finished 12-4 and then there were the Vikings. If Denver loses to San Diego, it could be on its way to feeling Minnesota’s pain.

Charles and Chambers need to pick up the pace: Kansas City running back Jamaal Charles and wide receiver Chris Chambers need to pick up the slack for the loss of Dwayne Bowe. The team’s top receiver will start serving a four-game NFL suspension this week for using performance-enhancing substances. The Chiefs’ offense was starting to look decent with Charles coming off a 100-yard rushing game and Chambers playing well. Charles is taking over for the released Larry Johnson at tailback and Chambers and Bowe showed signs of being a nice receiving tandem. For the next month, starting Sunday at home against Pittsburgh, Charles and Chambers are going to have to help quarterback Matt Cassel.

How would Ochocinco fit in with the Raiders? For much of last year, Cincinnati receiver Chad Ochocinco wanted to be traded. There was speculation that Oakland would pursue Ochocinco. He fit the team's profile. He was talented, high profile, controversial and an impact player. But the Bengals stuck with Ochocinco and eventually everything worked out. The Bengals are 7-2 and Ochocinco is productive and happy. The Raiders still need an impact receiver. Yet, Oakland will have to deal with Ochocinco on Sunday as a Bengal. I’m sure Oakland wishes it would have found a way to make Ochocinco a Raider.

The Chargers are using a cornerback rotation: For the past two games, San Diego has been using cornerbacks Antonio Cromartie, Quentin Jammer and Antoine Cason in a rotation. The team has moved safety Steve Gregory into the nickel spot because they like his physical play. This move gets Cason, a talented playmaker, on the field. Denver uses several receivers, so this system could help San Diego on Sunday.

	John Rieger/US Presswire
	San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers led one of the best offensive performances of the season for the Chargers.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson

KANSAS CITY -- Philip Rivers drove home from the San Diego Chargers’ practice facility Wednesday night, knowing everything was going to be OK.

Coming off a bitter home loss to the AFC West-leading Denver Broncos less than 48 hours earlier, the Chargers were crisp, deliberate and focused as they began their work week in preparation for Sunday’s game at Kansas City. The fresh, relaxed, productive approach lasted all week.

Week 7 Coverage • Walker: Bengals' Palmer is back • Jon Greenberg: Benson's career day • Williamson: Chargers bounce back • Graham: Time not on Fins' side • Wojciechowski: Saints should be 5-1 • Seifert: Silver linings in Vikes' loss • Pasquarelli: Steelers' D takes charge • Yasinskas: What happened to Turner? • MacMahon: Romo-Austin in sync • Sando: Crabtree brightens 49ers day • Reiss: Pats bond in London • Chadiha: Giants have questions • NFL Nation: Reactions | Wrap-ups | Live Monday Night Football HQ • Mosley: Skins' issues run deep • Paolantonio: Vick MIA so far • Chadiha: Strange call from Skins

“That was so encouraging,” Rivers said Sunday. “We could have slumped around practice all week, feeling sorry for ourselves. But we went out and had our best week of practice. We knew it was time.”

The Chargers followed up their most productive week of preparation with their best overall game of the season. San Diego hammered Kansas City 37-7 in a driving rainstorm. The Chargers were dominant in all three phases of the game. They jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter and were never challenged by the still green Chiefs, who were unable to parlay the good vibes of their first win last weekend at Washington.

While the Chiefs couldn’t put together a modest winning streak, San Diego was determined not to lose a third straight game.

San Diego has become famous for bouncing back, and Rivers is hoping Sunday’s win signifies the Chargers are starting their annual resurrection early. In 2007, San Diego started 5-5 before winning six straight and the AFC West title. Last season, the Chargers became the first team to make the playoffs after starting 4-8. It took a four-game winning streak and a historic collapse by Denver.

The Chargers are now 3-3, but still trail the Broncos, who were idle Sunday, by three games.

“We can’t chase anyone,” Rivers said. "We just have to take care of ourselves and hopefully look up in a month and we’ll be closer [to Denver]."

Rivers has no explanation but he does believe the Chargers tend to play their best when they have to.

“I think guys on both sides decide to take care of their individual jobs,” Rivers said. “There is no magic call or magic solution. So instead of waiting for it, guys just take control of their own situations. I think we play our best when we do that."

Rivers said he and several other leaders on the team, including tight end Antonio Gates and linebackers Stephen Cooper and Shaun Phillips, were in communication this week, making sure that players from both sides of the ball were in good spirits and ready to bounce back from the Denver game.

“There was no question about it, when the practice week started,” Rivers said. "Guys are relaxed. They just knew things weren’t that bad.”

A balanced offense is a winning formula: The Chargers had their most balanced offensive game of the season. The Chargers entered the game tied for last in the NFL in rushing. All of San Diego’s offensive production was coming from Rivers, who is having an outstanding season.

Rivers carried the load again Sunday. But at least he had help.

San Diego had 135 yards rushing. LaDainian Tomlinson had 71 yards on 23 carries, but one run was for 36 yards. So it would be premature to categorize Tomlinson as being at full strength considering he had 35 yards on 22 carries. But Tomlinson played well enough to allow backup Darren Sproles to be a factor as a change-of-pace back. Sproles had 41 yards on the ground and he broke a 58-yard touchdown on a short pass.

San Diego, which scored touchdowns on only two of five trips to the red zone, made huge plays in the passing game. Rivers completed 18 of 30 passes for 268 yards. He threw three touchdowns and he was not intercepted. Receiver Vincent Jackson had 142 yards on five catches. He had two 51-yard catches as he and Rivers continue to become one of the best deep-ball combinations in the NFL.

Chargers play safety blitz dance: The Chargers got creative in an attempt to create some pass rush.

The Chargers had their safeties blitz extensively and it was very effective. San Diego had four sacks. Safeties Eric Weddle and Steve Gregory (who was playing nickel cornerback) each had one sack. Phillips had two sacks.

“We came out with an aggressive approach,” Weddle said. “I think it caught them off guard and we were able to do some nice things. The key is staying aggressive. We’re better when we play that way.”

San Diego has been making changes in the secondary in recent weeks. Before the Denver game, starter Clinton Hart was cut out of the blue and rookie Kevin Ellison was made a starter. This week, Gregory took over for 2008 top pick Antoine Cason at nickel. The moves have worked.

Ellison, a sixth-round pick from USC, has played well in his two starts. Gregory had an interception to go with his sack.

Cassel gets sloppy: Kansas City quarterback Matt Cassel had been very good in his past four games, but he struggled Sunday.

Cassel, who went 153 straight passes without throwing an interception, threw three interceptions in a span of eight plays. He completed 10 of 25 passes for 97 yards. The Chiefs used a hurry-up offense in the second half, but still couldn’t get much going.

Kansas City coach Todd Haley was not happy with any aspect of his team, especially on offense.

“Disappointed, mad,” Haley said, describing his thoughts. “I’m the head coach of the team. I’m running the offense and we've got to be better than that. We’ve got to be better protecting, we’ve got to be better run blocking, we’ve got to be better catching the ball, we can’t be tipping it to them and we’ve got to be better at quarterback.”

If there was a bright spot for the Chiefs, it was backup running back Jamaal Charles gaining 33 yards on four carries. Starter Larry Johnson had 49 yards on 16 carries. Watch for Charles to get more playing time if Johnson can’t get going.