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Eagles, Bolts look for defining victory in matchup of teams with 5-3 records
SAN
DIEGO
-
One
team
is
5-3
and
the
bandwagon
is
rolling
once
again,
loaded
with
fans
who've
hopped
back
aboard
during
a
three-game
winning
streak.
The other team also is 5-3 and maybe not feeling quite so spry, having lost a chance to take sole possession of its division lead.
Up, down. Down, up. It's been the story so far for the Philadelphia Eagles and San Diego Chargers, who will be trying to sort out their immediate futures when they play Sunday at Qualcomm Stadium.
The Chargers look a bit more like the contending team they're supposed to be after rallying behind Philip Rivers to beat the New York Giants 21-20 at the Meadowlands. They're not quite world-beaters, though. Their winning streak includes victories against Kansas City and Oakland, the doormats of the AFC West. Although Rivers led a thrilling drive to beat the Giants in the final seconds, the Chargers were the benefactors of New York's free-fall.
It's certainly better than where they were after a 34-23 loss to AFC West leader Denver on Oct. 19.
"It's still early. We're just to the halfway mark but we are playing better," Rivers said. "We're three weeks better than we were post-Denver game. And if we can keep that going, then we'll give ourselves a chance.
"But certainly winning three football games doesn't make us any different or the game's going to be any easier. That confidence needs to be there, but also that same urgency and focus. If we can combine those and stay the course, we should be in good shape."
Rivers was the first to note that the Chargers still have a lot to work on. Their running game was practically nonexistent against the Giants and is dead last in the NFL. Receivers dropped passes and Rivers was intercepted twice.
Fans wonder why the Chargers don't show the same urgency earlier in games than they do late.
Rivers capped a magnificent 80-yard drive with an 18-yard pass to Vincent Jackson with 21 seconds to play to beat the Giants.
Then again, that's exactly how the last two seasons have unfolded under coach Norv Turner. After slow starts, the Chargers fired up in the second half.
"If you could ...[next page]
The other team also is 5-3 and maybe not feeling quite so spry, having lost a chance to take sole possession of its division lead.
Up, down. Down, up. It's been the story so far for the Philadelphia Eagles and San Diego Chargers, who will be trying to sort out their immediate futures when they play Sunday at Qualcomm Stadium.
The Chargers look a bit more like the contending team they're supposed to be after rallying behind Philip Rivers to beat the New York Giants 21-20 at the Meadowlands. They're not quite world-beaters, though. Their winning streak includes victories against Kansas City and Oakland, the doormats of the AFC West. Although Rivers led a thrilling drive to beat the Giants in the final seconds, the Chargers were the benefactors of New York's free-fall.
It's certainly better than where they were after a 34-23 loss to AFC West leader Denver on Oct. 19.
"It's still early. We're just to the halfway mark but we are playing better," Rivers said. "We're three weeks better than we were post-Denver game. And if we can keep that going, then we'll give ourselves a chance.
"But certainly winning three football games doesn't make us any different or the game's going to be any easier. That confidence needs to be there, but also that same urgency and focus. If we can combine those and stay the course, we should be in good shape."
Rivers was the first to note that the Chargers still have a lot to work on. Their running game was practically nonexistent against the Giants and is dead last in the NFL. Receivers dropped passes and Rivers was intercepted twice.
Fans wonder why the Chargers don't show the same urgency earlier in games than they do late.
Rivers capped a magnificent 80-yard drive with an 18-yard pass to Vincent Jackson with 21 seconds to play to beat the Giants.
Then again, that's exactly how the last two seasons have unfolded under coach Norv Turner. After slow starts, the Chargers fired up in the second half.
"If you could ...[next page]
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