For the last three seasons, the Chargers have finished fast to claim the AFC West crown. Their starts, however, have been anything but speedy. Since Norv Turner began coaching the Bolts in 2007, they have lost at least two of their first four games of each season. A 27-20 loss at Seattle on Sept. 26 continued that negative trend, putting the Chargers’ record at 1-2 for the fledgling 2010 season. Last season, San Diego started 2-2 and had a 2-3 record before ripping off 11 straight wins to finish the regular season. In 2008, the Chargers started 2-2 after losing their first two games of the season. And, in Turner’s first season, the Bolts went 1-3 in their first four games. Certainly, this season the reasons for a potential slow start are there. Holdouts by receiver Vincent Jackson and recently signed lineman Marcus McNeill — along with an early ankle injury to rookie back Ryan Mathews — have hurt the offense. On defense, replacing Jamal Williams has been a challenge, and linebacker Shawne Merriman hasn’t been much of a factor to this point. But this season appears different because of mental miscues in the team’s two losses. The Chargers committed 11 penalties against the Seahawks and have allowed three kick returns for touchdowns in their first two defeats to a pair of teams that each finished last in their division in 2009. San Diego still has not lost at Qualcomm Stadium, where it returns Sunday to face Arizona. With road games at Oakland (Oct. 10) and St. Louis (Oct. 17) coming up, the Chargers’ schedule is still soft enough for them to turn things around, but losses to either of those teams might indicate more problems than simply another early-season swan dive. CHARGERS GAME PREVIEWS Arizona at Chargers Sunday, Oct. 3, 1:15 p.m. Qualcomm Stadium TV: FOX (subject to blackout) All-time series: Chargers lead 8-3 Last meeting: Chargers won 27-20 at San Diego Dec. 31, 2006 Key matchup: Chargers secondary against Arizona QB Derek Anderson — Anderson hasn’t exactly been sharp this season and Bolts DBs can capitalize on his errant passes. Players to watch: Chargers RB Ryan Mathews and Cardinals RB Beanie Wells — both have been hampered with early injuries and will bolster their teams’ rushing attacks upon return. Fun Fact: The Chargers’ win over Arizona in 2006 locked up home-field advantage for the playoffs. Prediction: Chargers 28, Arizona 17 Chargers at Oakland Sunday, Oct. 10, 1:15 p.m. Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum TV: CBS All-time series: Oakland leads 55-44-2 Last meeting: Chargers won 24-16 at San Diego Nov. 1, 2009 Prediction: Chargers 31, Oakland 17 NFL GAMES OF THE WEEK Week 4 Baltimore (2-1) at Pittsburgh (3-0) Sunday, Oct. 3, 10 a.m. Heinz Field TV: CBS As long as Pittsburgh has Troy Polamalu in the defensive secondary, it doesn’t really matter who their starting quarterback is. The Steelers have won their first three games by a combined 39 points — the most in the league — as they await the return of suspended QB Ben Roethlisberger. Surely, none of that will impress LB Ray Lewis and the Baltimore defense that comes in first in passing yards allowed. Prediction: Ravens 13, Steelers 10 Week 5 Kansas City at Indianapolis Sunday, Oct. 10, 10 a.m. Lucas Oil Stadium TV: CBS With a bye in Week 4, Kansas City will remain improbably undefeated headed into Indianapolis. The Chiefs are the most unlikely unbeaten team this season, paced by a solid defense and the two-headed rushing attack of Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones. Peyton Manning and the Colts provide a huge hurdle in a game that could put the Chiefs on the contender radar. Prediction: Colts 24, Chiefs 13