Plenty went wrong in their 38-14 stinker on Sunday night, from quarterback Philip Rivers committing three turnovers to LaDainian Tomlinson failing to fire behind a sputtering offensive line to a secondary that got schooled by Tom Brady and Randy Moss.
Now comes a road game against Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers, who are 2-0.
"I think we'll bounce right back," Rivers said Wednesday, when the Chargers returned from two days off. "Sometimes getting hit in the mouth ain't all bad. It can even make you respond in the right way. We've got to remember, we've got a tough one this week, but if we go get this one, we'll be 2-1 as we were last year."
"Again, we're 1-1," Rivers said. "We're not 0-8. I think it's important we don't blow it up. And nobody here is pleased with the way we played or are trying to downplay the loss. It is just what it is, it's one game and we're going to learn from it and get better."
Rivers was asked if it's easier or harder to fix things when he can't isolate what's gone wrong.
"The word 'fix' I don't think is correct," said Rivers, who threw two interceptions and lost a fumble at New England. "I don't think we have anything that's dilapidated or that's broken -- I threw in a big word there. I don't think that's the case. I think it's here or there. That's just the game. Little things that cause the breakdown or cause not getting a first down or cause an interception. It is that fine line.
"I didn't come out here today and fix those two interceptions. I made mistakes, I learned from them and I'm going to move on. That's not something you come out here and fix. We've still got to have fun and come out here and practice and enjoy what we're doing."
Tomlinson, the reigning NFL MVP, echoed Rivers' thoughts.
"We're going to be all right," said Tomlinson, who added that he's not getting frustrated.
"You take it for what it is -- two games. Obviously people get all concerned over two games -- but it's one game we won -- so it shouldn't be a problem, but that's the way it is. It's only two games."
After rushing for a career-high 1,815 yards and scoring an NFL-record 31 touchdowns last season, Tomlinson has been stymied. He's averaging just 1.9 yards per carry with 68 yards on 35 carries.
The Chargers won their opener 14-3 over the Chicago Bears, with Tomlinson throwing for one touchdown and running for the other.
"The first two games have been tough," Tomlinson said. "I didn't expect to run up and down the field on either team. I knew it was going to be hard yards to get out there. That's what happens when you play two really good teams."
On the injury front, defensive tackle Jamal Williams (sprained elbow) participated in the full practice while right tackle Shane Olivea (back) and inside linebacker Matt Wilhelm (calf) were among those who sat out.
Williams said he "absolutely" will play Sunday. Chargers coach Norv Turner said he's most concerned about Wilhelm's injury. Wilhelm said he was encouraged when an MRI exam on Monday showed no tear. Olivea said he felt better Wednesday than he did on Tuesday, but that it was too early to tell if he'd play Sunday.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
