With the Chargers off to an 0-3 start, quarterback Philip Rivers is beginning to fall out of favor in Los Angeles.
The Chargers have been struggling for years. After hovering around the .500 mark for a half-decade, the Bolts managed to win a grand total of nine games the previous two seasons. The franchise installed Anthony Lynn as head coach and moved from San Diego to LA during the offseason, but the core of the roster remained the same.
That obviously includes Rivers, who may not be the root of the problem, but is experiencing some regression. The 35-year-old's 60.4 completion percentage last season was his lowest since 2007, while his 21 interceptions were the most of his career. Tack on five fumbles lost, and Rivers was committing nearly two turnovers per game.
Rivers was off to a decent start this season, even if the Chargers weren't, but that run of good fortune came to a screeching halt against Kansas City on Sunday. The six-time Pro Bowl selection completed 20 of 40 passes for 237 yards with no touchdowns and 3 interceptions in a 24-10 loss to the Chiefs.
Based on Tom Krasovic's synopsis for The San Diego Union-Tribune, Rivers' performance was not only a huge reason why the Chargers lost -- it was a chore to sit through.
This Rivers was different from the quarterback San Diegans grew to love.
He looked old, not cagey; creaky, not savvy.
He was painful to watch.
"I had a rough day," he said.
He threw the ball too late, into coverage, repeatedly.
Considering that the blocking was good and the running game forceful, it was the worst half I can recall from Rivers, a starter since 2006.
He made several decisions that were questionable, perhaps worse.
He overestimated his arm strength. On other plays, for reasons unknown to outsiders, he failed to see open receivers or pull the trigger if he did.
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Krasovic added Rivers should've been intercepted a fourth time, but the defensive back dropped the likely pick-six.
Okay, so it was a bad game. Even Tom Brady has those once in awhile (I think). Regardless, this is becoming par for the course with Rivers, and based on the reaction of Chargers fans like Aaron Woolley for the SBNation blog Bolts From The Blue, the die-hards -- the few that remain after the team's move to LA -- are growing restless.
I hate to say it, but it may be the time to light a fire under his ass or wave goodbye to him at the end of this season. He is in no way worth the 20+ million they are shelling out for him right now.
Rivers has enjoyed a Hall of Fame-caliber career. He may very well pick apart an Eagles secondary that is reeling from injuries, and somewhat questionable to begin with. But Rivers is also approaching his 36th birthday in December, and his decline is inevitable, probably already ongoing.
The Eagles have to fly across the country this week and play a team that's tough in many areas. At this point, franchise quarterback may or may not be of those.
