The Chargers head into the bye week on a two-game winning streak that has brought the team out of the ashes of despair and back into playoff contention. San Diego’s last two contests may not have technically been must-win games, but in the minds of most, had the Chargers lost one of two heading into the bye, their postseason chances were over. Chasing down Kansas City and Oakland in the AFC West seems much more plausible with a 4-5 record after beating Tennessee and Houston. What makes the Chargers’ most recent run of success so impressive are the receivers who have stepped out of anonymity and into the spotlight. A relative unknown before this season, Seyi Ajirotutu most recently took over the deep-threat wide receiver role. Ajirotutu caught four passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns against Houston, including a 28-yard fourth quarter score that put the team up for good. Antonio Gates did not play in the win against Houston but his backups kept up the pace as Randy McMichael caught two passes — both for TDs — and third-stringer Kris Wilson added a terrific run and catch for 37 yards. If wide receivers Malcolm Floyd and Legedu Naanee and Gates emerge healthy from the bye week, the Chargers will boast a deep and now more experienced array of receivers. With all the injuries to his receiving crew (not to mention playing without Vincent Jackson so far), Philip Rivers has put up impressive — if not outstanding — displays of distribution. Through nine games, Rivers has thrown for a league-high 2,944 yards and 19 TDs. He is on pace to break Dan Marino’s record for passing yards in a season. In a much-needed road victory against Houston, the former N.C. State quarterback completed passes to eight different players and threw four for four scores and not one of those receivers were named Jackson, Floyd, Gates, Nannee or Davis. This guy is pretty good. By now, most fans are aware the Chargers are the No. 1 passing team in the NFL, averaging 312 yards per game. But in a league where passing is considered king, the Chargers also boast the fourth best pass defense, holding opponents to 185 yards a game through the air. Most surprising, though, is the Chargers’ run-stopping defense, which is limiting opposing runners to 89.4 yards per game (No. 5 in the NFL). If the Bolts limit their turnovers (they had two against Houston), they could be in for a big second half. CHARGERS GAME PREVIEW
Denver at Chargers Monday, Nov. 22, 5:30 p.m. Qualcomm Stadium TV: ESPN All-time series: Denver leads 54-45-1 Last meeting: Chargers won 32-3 at Denver Nov. 22, 2009 Key matchup: Chargers secondary against Denver receiver Brandon Lloyd — the Broncos love to throw the ball and Lloyd is quarterback Kyle Orton’s favorite deep threat. If the Chargers DBs can keep Lloyd in check, Denver doesn’t have much of a chance. Players to watch: Chargers QB Philip Rivers — Rivers especially enjoys beating the Broncos and should enjoy a career day if Denver’s defense continues its struggles. Fun Fact: The Chargers have won six of their last eight meetings against Denver. Prediction: Chargers 42, Broncos 17