And the Chargers aren’t a team to ignore in the open AFC … still.
MORE: David Steele’s Week 4 picks | PHOTOS: NFL’s best-ever comebacks
The weapons are there. Keenan Allen might be the best receiver Rivers has ever thrown to. He, Malcom Floyd, Eddie Royal, Ladarius Green and some guy named Antonio Gates combine for a target arsenal good enough to mask a temporarily handicapped rushing attack.
The coaching is there. Rivers was re-born last year in a more efficient, completion-friendly scheme under new coach Mike McCoy’s staff and posted his highest career quarterback rating as a starter. Rivers’ rating is even higher through three games this season.
The defense is there, or so it appears. Dwight Freeney chugged his canister from the Fountain of Youth. The addition of Brandon Flowers at corner so far has resulted in the fourth highest pass coverage rating in the league.
The Chargers are easy to forget — after no Super Bowl appearances despite dominating the AFC West for half a decade; after a few bumpy seasons as the Norv Turner regime went stale; after Peyton Manning and the Broncos took over the division.
But the pieces, if they can get/stay healthy, are still there. Rivers, who in his ninth year as starter has never missed a game and never completed under 60 percent of his passes for a season, continues his reliable and consistent ways.
Offensive line play must improve. The secondary, and defense in general, must maintain its play and establish continuity. If that happens — and if Rivers continues to drive defensive coordinators nuts with indefensible dimes — watch out.
The Chargers at full voltage are scary … still.
