Ask any Chargers fan who is considered the team’s rival and you could probably whittle down that list to 4 or 5 teams. SB Nation has been conducting a weekly FanPulse Survey and this past week they asked this question. And as you can see
Mike Williams Color Rush Jersey , with 54% of the vote, the answer is the Kansas City Chiefs, followed by the Oakland Raiders with 40%. The Denver Broncos and New England Patriots tied with 3%.I am somewhat surprised by these results. I would have that the Raiders would be tops on this list, with the inter-state matchup built in. Perhaps the vote can be chalked up to how the teams are currently playing; The Chiefs have dominated the Chargers recently whereas the Raiders have slumped these past few years and have lost 4 in a row to the Chargers.Same could be said about the Denver Broncos as they seem to not be as formidable since Peyton Manning retired. As much as we all could hope that the New England Patriots were a rival, the Chargers just don’t play them enough to really make the argument here. Anybody that knows me or has read my work here will know how bad I hate the Oakland Raiders. I remember going to the Black Hole in my Vincent Jackson jersey. The fans their in Oakland gave me a hard time
Darius Philon Color Rush Jersey , they made sure I knew how they felt about #83 that day. But it wasn’t any worse than when I attended a Chargers vs 49ers game in San Francisco. The worst case of Raiders smack I ever got was when I went to a Raiders vs Chargers game in San Diego. It was the worst expierence I've ever had at a football game. The tailgating was terrible, the in-game expierence was dreadful and the post game walk was ridciclous. I never hated another team more in more life. I just hate the Chiefs because they are so dang good. And they have the Chargers number. Hopefully that changes December 13th.(The poll only had the Cheifs, Raiders, Broncos and Patriots as choices) Writer’s Note: I wrote this article at the beginning of the year and have updated it to include 2018 statistics. I believe it is timely considering the heat Rivers took for last week’s loss in which he threw for 400 yards and had an even TD-INT ratio.It is no secret that a team’s odds of winning are lowered if its QB performs poorly. However, many NFL franchises have shown over the last seven seasons that it is not impossible to bail out a QB who delivers a subpar outing. The Chargers do not fit into this group.If Philip Rivers is off
Adrian Phillips Color Rush Jersey , the Chargers have been incapable of overcoming his mistakes. September 25th, 2011 is the last time the Chargers won a game in which Rivers threw more interceptions than total touchdowns–defined as passing and rushing touchdown’s provided by the QB.There have been at least 104 instances since September 25th, 2011 of teams winning a game in which their QB threw more interceptions than total touchdowns. More examples could be found as the below list only focuses on QB’s who have enjoyed a successful season at some point this decade.The only other regular starters who can match what Rivers has gone through during this period are Derek Carr, Aaron Rodgers, and Colin Kaepernick. Each of them played in fewer games.2018Jared Goff (x2)Deshaun Watson (x2)Mitchell Trubisky (x2) Patrick MahomesNick Foles2017Matt Ryan (x2)Blake Bortles (x2)Marcus MariotaJimmy GaroppoloJameis WinstonTom BradyAndy DaltonCase KeenumMatthew StaffordDak PrescottAlex SmithJosh McCown2016Carson PalmerAlex SmithCarson WentzMarcus MariotaTyrod TaylorBen RoethlisbergerJoe FlaccoAndrew Luck2015 Peyton Manning (x5)Teddy Bridgewater (x4)Ben Roethlisberger (x2)Matt Ryan (x2)Jameis WinstonSam BradfordCase KeenumTyrod TaylorRobert Griffin IIIJoe FlaccoCam NewtonRussell WilsonAndy Dalton2014Andy Dalton (x3)Drew Brees (x2)Russell Wilson (x2)Matthew Stafford (x2)Peyton ManningCarson PalmerRobert Griffin IIIBlake BortlesRyan TannehillKirk Cousins (didn’t play entire game)Case Keenum2013 Carson Palmer (x3)Andy Dalton (x2)Tony RomoAndrew LuckDrew BreesCam NewtonBen RoethlisbergerAlex SmithJoe FlaccoRussell Wilson2012 Eli Manning (x2)Matt Ryan (x2)Russell WilsonAndrew LuckJay CutlerMichael VickMatthew StaffordJoe FlaccoCam NewtonAndy DaltonTony RomoSam BradfordMatt SchaubOct.-Jan. 2011Joe Flacco (x2)Carson Palmer (x2)Jay Cutler (x2)Drew BreesAndy DaltonHere is a quick breakdown of how many times certain quarterbacks appeared on the above list:Andy Dalton – 9 timesCarson Palmer – 7 timesPeyton Manning – 6 timesMatt Ryan – 6 timesJoe Flacco – 6 timesRussell Wilson – 5 timesMatthew Stafford – 4 timesDrew Brees – 4 timesTeddy Bridgewater – 4 timesBen Roethlisberger – 4 timesStats like this list are ignored when judging a QB’s win-loss record. Matt Ryan threw 5 interceptions in a 2012 game with 0 TD’s and emerged victoriously. Peyton Manning walked away with five wins in 2015 in which he threw more interceptions than touchdowns.Most quarterbacks only have a handful of wins via this scenario. It’s the total amount of wins that have been collected which is noteworthy.This is further evidence that Rivers has not been surrounded by well-rounded rosters this decade. The special teams unit
Drew Kaser Color Rush Jersey , for instance, has been particularly disappointing and his rushing attack has paled in comparison to his peers.An in-depth breakdown of the circumstances Rivers has faced is rarely discussed on mainstream sports shows. There will be the occasional two-minute segment about him, but it doesn’t scratch the surface on the situations he has encountered. This hurts his standing with casual fans, who make up a sizable chunk of the football community.Digging deep into the weeds of his career reveals a treasure chest of ammo to support his Hall of Fame candidacy. That information needs to be given the proper amount of reflection it deserves.
