Once upon the time, the Chargers were 4-1 and holding a 21-10 halftime lead on the road against the Jets. All was going according to plan for a Super Bowl favorite.
But San Diego faltered in the second half in New York and never recovered. And after being Tebow'd in overtime Sunday, the Chargers have lost six consecutive games for the first time in 10 years.
"It's just snowballed out of control," San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers said, according to The Associated Press. "We know what this game would do from a morale standpoint, from a keeping us in the hunt standpoint. This game was huge."
Rivers was referring to the Chargers' season snowballing, but he could have just as easily been speaking of himself. Rivers delivered yet another uninspired performance against Denver, completing 19 of his 36 passes for 188 yards and one touchdown. His passer rating was 77.1, the fifth time this season he has posted a number lower than 80.
Rivers' mysterious struggles could end up costing Norv Turner his job. But the coach didn't do himself any favors after the game when he was unable to explain why running back Ryan Mathews -- who rushed for a career-best 137 yards -- was on the sideline during San Diego's final possession in overtime.
"He came out, and I don't know why he came out," Turner said. "We're in the middle of the drive. I assumed when he came out that he came out for a play and then he didn't go back in."
Rivers has earned more than enough rope to remain in the Chargers' plans going forward. The same can't be said for Turner, who likely won't survive back-to-back dark Januarys.
