SportsNation Blog Archives
San Diego Chargers
Philip Rivers and the Chargers are still in the AFC West race after the quarterback's big night in a 38-14 win against the Jaguars on Monday, but they have a lot of ground to make up on the Broncos and Raiders. Does Rivers also have ground to make up in the race for top quarterback honors in the division? Rank 'Em: NFL Power Rankings
- "What's the best finish you SD fans can honestly envision on these last four? How does the battered SD O-line get ready for Baltimore? Detroit? Can SD even make the finale in Oakland anything more than a spoiler game?" -- SN commenter MC3DPCS
- "Tebow stinks. I mean, he's only won five in a row (first time since Elway played in Denver). The guy is a winner, period. I'm a Falcons fan and would take Tebow as our QB in a second. " -- SN commenter alyssafaithbaer
Which quarterback rules division?
Rivers has the history but only an 84.9 QB rating this season. Tim Tebow's rating is only 87.9, but he has that 6-1 record as a starter.
Which road ahead is toughest?
The Broncos and Raiders are 7-5, while the Chargers and Chiefs are 5-7. But does the schedule bode ill for one of the chasers?
Not everyone expected the Chargers to win the AFC West this season. No, it was a mere 81 percent of SportsNation voters who picked them to win the division, a consensus topped only by those picking the Packers in the NFC North. But while the Packers are doing just fine, the Chargers are tied with the Chiefs and Raiders after finding a new way to lose Monday's game against those Chiefs. Rank 'Em: Your NFL Power Rankings?
- "Right now it looks like KC's division. You have SD with their turnovers, sloppy play and horrible O-Line. The only real thing going for us at this point is our defense. Oakland has a very talented team but are facing a crucial moment." -- SN commenter RavensSuperbowl44
- "Rivers should team up with LeBron James and play baseball with the Texas Rangers, who have honed the fine art of choking." -- SN commenter GeoF1348
More about the win or the loss?
The Chiefs are in select company in NFL history in winning four in a row after an 0-3 start, but is Philip Rivers giving away a win for the slumping Chargers a bigger story?
Overrated or underperforming?
It's not much of a surprise to find Philip Rivers leading the NFL in a passing category, but it's a little surprising that it's interceptions. Is he being exposed?
How good are the Chiefs?
Most expected the Jets and Chargers to be playoff contenders this season, but they aren't alone at 4-3 in the AFC. Are the Chiefs the surprise with the most staying power?
Worse level of losing?
Week 8 offered a full array of painful losses, but is spending three hours watching your team get smacked around worse than watching Philip Rivers botch a snap to deny a win?
The first game of the NFL season kicks off in a little more than 24 hours, and we'd be lying if we said we weren't at least a little excited. Pro football can be a messy affair at times -- see the entire labor battle during the offseason -- but it's a glorious sport at its heart. Most every team's fan base has something to look forward to this weekend, although Colts fans may be dreading a future without Peyton Manning after the news that he'll miss at least his first game with a neck injury.
- Rank: Is Peyton Manning still in the MVP race? | Which are football's best teams?
- Vote: Which teams are the favorite to win each division?
Best game?
There are a lot of good matchups in Week 1 of the NFL's 2011 regular season. Steelers-Ravens, for example, could be a preview of a future AFC playoff game.
Colts without Manning?
Peyton Manning is out for an undetermined amount of time. This could be a prime opportunity for other teams to break Indianapolis' stranglehold on the AFC South.
AFC East
The Patriots responded to their 14-2 record last season by signing or trading for several marquee names. Are they good enough to beat the Jets?
AFC North
The Steelers fell just short of winning the Super Bowl last season, as their vaunted defense wasn't able to stop Aaron Rodgers and the Packers.
AFC South
Peyton Manning took a pay cut in order for the Colts to keep some of their key players, but is it enough for Indianapolis to win the AFC South?
AFC West
There's a brewing quarterback controversy in Denver, with Kyle Orton delaying the seemingly inevitable succession of Tim Tebow to the starting job. Can the Broncos compete with Orton?
NFC East
The Eagles made a number of humongous moves this offseason, including trading Kevin Kolb and signing Nnamdi Asomugha. Are they the team to beat in the NFC East?
NFC North
Aaron Rodgers led the Packers on an incredible run to a Super Bowl title last year. Are they the favorites in the NFC North once again?
NFC South
The Saints looked to make another deep run at a Super Bowl, but were stunned by the lowly Seahawks. Are they still an elite team?
NFC West
Speaking of the Seahawks, they won the NFC West despite a 7-9 record. Will they sneak into the playoffs once more?
We can understand if you don't want to take the time to grade your tech-support help on the other end of the telephone, but when we're talking about the dollars and emotion you've invested in sports, we think it's worth the effort. It's time for ESPN The Magazine's Ultimate Standings, in which SportsNation grades organizations on everything from ticket prices and stadium experience to the talent on the field, court or rink. Which team will end up on top this year? It depends on what you say.
Take part in the 2011 MLB survey
2010 MLB Ultimate Standings
1. Los Angeles Angels (Overall: No. 3)
2. Tampa Bay Rays (Overall: No. 6)
3. Colorado Rockies (Overall: No. 13)
4. Minnesota Twins (Overall: No. 14)
5. Atlanta Braves (Overall: No. 15)
Take part in the 2011 NFL survey
2010 NFL Ultimate Standings
1. New Orleans Saints (Overall: No. 1)
2. Indianapolis Colts (Overall: No. 4)
3. Green Bay Packers (Overall: No. 9)
4. Arizona Cardinals (Overall: No. 19)
5. Baltimore Ravens (Overall: No. 20)
Take part in the 2011 NBA survey
2010 NBA Ultimate Standings
1. Orlando Magic (Overall: No. 2)
2. San Antonio Spurs (Overall: No. 7)
3. Cleveland Cavaliers (Overall: No. 10)
4. Dallas Mavericks (Overall: No. 24)
5. Oklahoma City Thunder (Overall: No. 25)
Take part in the 2011 NHL survey
2010 NHL Ultimate Standings
1. Pittsburgh Penguins (Overall: No. 5)
2. Detroit Red Wings (Overall: No. 8)
3. Washington Capitals (Overall: No. 11)
4. San Jose Sharks (Overall: No. 12)
5. Chicago Blackhawks (Overall: No. 16)
The AFC West saw the usual power structure inverted somewhat, as the Chiefs finally broke through the Chargers' usual strangehold on the division. San Diego missed the playoffs after a late charge, and the Raiders and Broncos failed to make a real impact. What grade would you give each team in the AFC West? Cast your vote now!
AFC Grades: East | North | South | NFC Grades: East | North | South | West
Denver Broncos
Josh McDaniels may have been fired, but at least one of his decisions could pay off, as Tim Tebow looks to be the Broncos' starter from now on.
Oakland Raiders
The Raiders showed some signs of improvement this year, but it wasn't enough for the team to bring back former coach Tom Cable for next season.
San Diego Chargers
The Chargers tend to be slow starters, but a 3-5 record at midseason proved too much for them to overcome this time around.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs actually had the second-worst division record in the AFC West, but they were nearly unbeatable at home and led the league in rushing yards.
- Vote: Which teams will make the playoffs?
- Rank 'Em: Where does Philip Rivers rank in the MVP race? | 49ers-Chargers PollCenter
- Chat: NFC West blogger Mike Sando, 1 ET | AFC West blogger Bill Williamson, 2 ET
If you're a quarterback looking for a chance to bolster your MVP credentials, what better stage could there be than facing a team that employs David Carr, Alex Smith and Troy Smith? Philip Rivers looks like Joe Montana compared to that cast of characters.
Then again, as good as Rivers has looked this season, if the team around him had played to its potential, tonight's game might not be nearly as important as it is with both teams fighting for their playoff lives. Back before Labor Day, 80 percent of SportsNation predicted the Chargers would win the AFC West. That's a strong endorsement, but it's not as strong as the 85 percent of voters who predicted the 49ers would win the NFC West.
Which of these teams has underachieved to a greater degree?
Jake (Colorado Spring)
Mel, can you give me a analysis of Alex Smith? Is he better than we have seen or is this what he is?
Mel Kiper
I think at this stage, what you see is what you get. If you look at this year, he is not at 60 percent completion. He's been out of the lineup as long as he was and comes in there and goes 17-27 after not playing since 6-7 weeks ago, but the problem with him has been his consistency. It's an inconsistency. Very intelligent young man, but he makes some bad decisions at times. He threw 9 INTs in the first five games this year. Full transcript
Vote: New England Patriots at Chicago Bears
1. Impressed by Patriots' offense or Bears' defense?
2. Bill Belichick in 2010 or Mike Ditka in 1985?
3. Which backfield tandem is better?
4. Is Chicago a better sports town than Boston?
5. Which team will win in Chicago?
Have your say on Patriots at Bears
Vote: New Orleans Saints at St. Louis Rams
1. Drew Brees' past or Sam Bradford's future?
2. Have the Saints turned the corner?
3. Is Steven Jackson slowing down?
4. Should a 7-9 division champ get in?
5. Which team will win in New Orleans?
Have your say on Rams at Saints
Vote: Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers
1. Which roster has more talent?
2. Who is the Chiefs' offensive MVP?
3. How good is Matt Cassel?
4. How good is the top-rated defense?
5. Which team will win in San Diego
Have your say on Chiefs at Chargers
Vote: Miami Dolphins at New York Jets
1. Will Michael Vick regress as a passer?
2. Has Jason Garrett earned the job?
3. Is Kevin Kolb better than Tony Romo?
4. Would a Cowboys win be an upset?
5. Which team will win in New Jersey?
Have your say on Dolphins at Jets
Vote: Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys
1. Which season is most on the line?
2. Which coach is better?
3. Can the Dolphins stick with Chad Henne?
4. Is Santonio Holmes' the best WR?
5. Which team will win in Arlington, Texas?
Have your say on Eagles at Cowboys
Vote: Baltimore Ravens at Houston Texans
1. Joe Flacco or Matt Schaub?
2. Would you take great offense over great defense?
3. Can Gary Kubiak save his job?
4. Arian Foster or Ray Rice's career?
5. Which team will win in Houston?
Have your say on Monday Night Football
- Rank 'Em: Where do Philip Rivers and Jay Cutler rank among quarterbacks?
- Vote: Are the Bears the best team in the NFC?
You have to wonder if yesterday's games marked somewhat of a sea change in the NFL's power structure. Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts, one of the most consistent teams in the NFL, will not reach 12 wins this season (the first time since 2002 that's happened) thanks to Philip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers, now winners of four straight. The Chicago Bears, no one's choice to be 8-3 at this point in the season, weathered a fourth-quarter comeback from the Eagles behind Jay Cutler's four touchdowns. Is this a sign of things to come for both teams?
- "Other than Philip Rivers, I'd take Peyton Manning over any other QB in the league." -- Patriciodaflop
- "Chicago dominated yesterday. Anyone who actually watched the game knows that the only reason the score was close (and that Vick's numbers look deceivingly decent) was because the Bears played a deep prevent for the last 2/3rds of the fourth quarter -- a purposeful strategy that successfully gave up a score only after forcing the Eagles to blow all their TOs and leave under 2:00 on the game clock. That drive gave Vick another 80 yards, some completions, and a TD, but those are what the experts call "false statistics" or "ghost statistics." They mean nothing." -- halasjackson
Vote: San Diego Chargers at Indianapolis Colts
1. Which quarterback is having better season?
2. Who do the Colts miss most?
3. Will Vincent Jackson help Chargers?
4. Does Norv Turner help or hurt?
5. Which team will win in Indianapolis?
Have your say on Chargers at Colts
Vote: Green Bay Packers at Atlanta Falcons
1. Better quarterback for the next decade?
2. Which team needs home-field advantage?
3. Who is the best defensive playmaker?
4. Packers' defense or Falcons' offense?
5. Which team will win in Atlanta?
Have your say on Packers at Falcons
Vote: Philadelphia Eagles at Chicago Bears
1. Which quarterback is more likeable?
2. Do you remember the Fog Bowl?
3. Does Lovie Smith deserve extension?
4. Which division is tougher?
5. Which team will win in Chicago?
Have your say on Eagles at Bears
Vote: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Baltimore Ravens
1. Better quarterback of the future?
2. Are the Buccaneers legit?
3. Is LeGarrette Blount the real deal?
4. How good is the Ravens' offense?
5. Which team will win in Baltimore?
Have your say on Buccaneers at Ravens
Vote: Jacksonville Jaguars at New York Giants
1. Is Eli Manning that much better?
2. Is benching Ahmad Bradshaw right call?
3. Which wide receiver steps up?
4. How many wins do Jaguars need?
5. Which team will win in New Jersey?
Have your say on Jaguars at Giants
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