San Diego (4-3) at New York (5-3)

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  • Game info: 4:15 pm EST Sun Nov 8, 2009
  • TV: CBS

By SANTOSH VENKATARAMAN, STATS Senior Writer Nov 4, 6:02 pm EST

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Eli Manning(notes) and Philip Rivers(notes) will forever be linked by the draft-day trade in 2004 that brought Manning to the New York Giants and Rivers to the San Diego Chargers.

This season, they may end up being linked for leading a pair of contenders that underachieved.

The quarterbacks meet for the first time Sunday at Giants Stadium, with Manning looking to help New York avoid a fourth straight loss and Rivers trying to lead the Chargers to their first victory over a winning team.

San Diego (4-3) took Manning with the first pick in the 2004 draft, even though his family told the Chargers not to select him days before. After they selected him anyway and the Giants (5-3) chose Rivers at No. 4, the Chargers sent Manning to New York for Rivers and picks that San Diego used on linebacker Shawne Merriman(notes) and kicker Nate Kaeding(notes).

The trade seems to have helped both clubs. Manning was the Super Bowl MVP two years ago when the Giants upset the 18-0 Patriots - the team that knocked off Rivers and the Chargers in the AFC championship game. Both players have been to one Pro Bowl.

“It’s fun,” Rivers said Monday. “The one thing I know and I know Eli knows, all the quarterbacks know, we’re not playing one another out there. We’ve got plenty of other things to worry about on the defensive side of the ball we have to go against.

“But it is fun competing against another team led by a quarterback that you are linked to in many ways, especially being the same draft class.”

Rivers backed up Drew Brees(notes) the last time these teams met - a 45-23 Chargers win Sept. 25, 2005. Manning was booed throughout his first game in San Diego, but completed 24 of 41 passes for 352 yards and two touchdowns.

Manning would likely settle for a similar effort, considering what he has produced during the Giants’ slide. He had 10 touchdowns and two interceptions in New York’s 5-0 start, but threw three TDs and six interceptions over the last three games.

“There is no secret ingredient,” Manning said. “There is no ‘We have to change our philosophy.’ There is none of that. We are not in panic mode right now. But we do need to get better and we do need to play better than what we are playing right now. This is going to be a big week for us, this week versus San Diego, and hopefully we get back on track.”

While Manning has played poorly the last three weeks, New York’s defense has been worse. The Giants were outscored 112-61 during that span, with opponents totaling 1,172 yards.

New York allowed 180 rushing yards for the game and 30 first-half points in a 40-17 loss at Philadelphia on Sunday. The Giants’ last four-game losing streak came Nov. 12-Dec. 3, 2006.

“I don’t know what has happened to us the last three weeks,” defensive end Justin Tuck(notes) said. “That’s kind of disheartening, but it lets me know the guys care. You can just tell that frustration is kind of boiling over.”

The defense should get some help this week, with defensive tackle Chris Canty(notes) and weakside linebacker Michael Boley(notes) expected to play.

Canty has been sidelined since the opening game with a calf injury. Boley had surgery on his right knee last month.

All of San Diego’s wins were against losing teams, with its defeats coming to contenders Denver, Baltimore and Pittsburgh. The Chargers’ two straight victories came against lowly Kansas City and Oakland - teams that also account for two of New York’s wins.

“Every week is a treat to play in the NFL, to play in an NFL game,” Rivers said. “But these are the kind of games, the reason why you play. You get to go right in the thick of all the action in the East Coast, being in New York, and play, obviously, a team that won the championship two years ago and is a very capable one and thought of highly this year.

“It’s a tough place to go on the road, in a game I think that will say a lot about us.”

San Diego limited Kansas City to 203 yards in a 37-7 road victory Oct. 25 and held Oakland to 180 yards in last Sunday’s 24-16 win. The Chargers know it will be more difficult against a Giants offense that is fifth in the league with an average of 386.9 yards.

“We are growing and we’re getting better,” coach Norv Turner said. “We’re getting some guys going. We’ll have a great week of practice and we’re looking forward to going back and playing.”

The Giants rank 19th against the run, but will face a Chargers rushing attack that is second worst in the league with 523 yards. LaDainian Tomlinson(notes) ran for 192 in the 2005 game against New York, but has gone a career-high 13 straight games without gaining 100.

Updated Nov 4, 6:02 pm EST
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Team Comparison

Team Records Standings PF PA Road/Home AFC NFC DIV Streak
San Diego 7-3-0 1st AFC West 269 205 4-1-0 Road 5-3-0 2-0-0 4-1-0 Won 5
New York 6-5-0 3rd NFC East 272 261 3-2-0 Home 2-2-0 4-3-0 2-1-0 Lost 1

Notes

QB Philip Rivers' three touchdown passes marked the eighth time he has registered at least three scoring tosses in a game this season. ... RB Darren Sproles and TE Antonio Gates paced the San Diego receiving corps with five catches apiece. Gates corralled 13 receptions in two postseason games. ... The Chargers, who finished with eight penalties for 104 yards, suffered their biggest when Eric Weddle was flagged for a 44-yard pass interference penalty, setting up the Steelers with a 1st-and-goal from the San Diego 1-yard line early in the fourth quarter. One play later, Gary Russell scored from 1-yard out to put the Steelers ahead, 28-10. It was a tough day for Weddle, who also had a Mike Scifres punt bounce off of him, which was recovered by Pittsburgh's William Gay at the San Diego 23. ... The loss dropped the Chargers to 2-14 all-time against the Steelers in Pittsburgh. It was their first trip to Pittsburgh in the postseason since defeating the Steelers, 17-13, in the AFC Championship game back in 1995.

Jan 11, 11:17 pm EST

No team notes.

NFL

377 Comments

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  1. Owen
    377. Posted by Owen Thu Nov 19 12:39pm EST

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    Well fellow and lady Giant fans our team found another way to lose this time with the help of managtement. They have had a week off to ponder what is wrong but I don't think that is enough time for them to fix the problem at hand. I love my team but have seen teams like this in the past and it is frustrating at times. How can a team with so much talent lose interest and enthusiasm in one year? I just don't understand it. They showed so much promise in pre season and then in the first 5 games of the regular season then they ran into good teams and completely fell apart at the seams. Can anybody explain to me in terms that I will understand what is going on with them? If you can or want to talk about it email me at owen.mosteller@yahoo.com.
  2. Mike
    376. Posted by Mike Tue Nov 10 10:24pm EST

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    Hello Stirfan.....
    @ 352....thank u for pointing out my grammatical error....I did it on purpose......hope u had a good weak....
  3. king cobra
    375. Posted by king cobra Tue Nov 10 12:40pm EST

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    raders suck so bad they cant keep up with the bolts
  4. d-dawg
    374. Posted by d-dawg Mon Nov 9 11:50pm EST

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    Looks like a 7-9 season for the G-Roids
  5. EH
    373. Posted by EH Mon Nov 9 7:32pm EST

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    Hey Pierce, remember the comment you said that playing the Raiders like a scrimmage.Guess what after that comment your D playing like sh**t and lost 4 in a roll.Those 4 teams felt like playing scrimmage with your team also.Pierce let me give you an advice just shut up and play football.Don't trash the team that you already beaten them badly.Whats goes around comes around.Thats why your team have lost 4 in a roll and sinking like a titanic ship.
  6. <i>bendgod</i>
    372. Posted by bendgod Mon Nov 9 5:25pm EST

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    Yes, we didn't lose because we didn't play this weekend and yes we suck and our QB is more bust than that Leaf character ever was and our owner is senile and ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh....I can only wait it out until he passes the torch and allows someone to come rebuild the once proud franchise. It's going on 7 years now...and waiting. Sucks to be a Raiders fan at this point and time.
  7. big staxx
    371. Posted by big staxx Mon Nov 9 5:24pm EST

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    #345
    lets see if after the season ends and their records are a little cloer with marty maybe winning 3 or 4 more games than norv in the reg season. but i would trade reg season wins for post season wins anyday.
  8. <i>bendgod</i>
    370. Posted by bendgod Mon Nov 9 5:21pm EST

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    Giants couldn't pay Steve After winning the SB and being in NY?? The crankees can buy the title and yet the giants couldn't affford him? I think it's just that he deserved a chance to lead a team and the giants didn't try to prevent that opportunity. But in light of how they have played on D, you would think maybe they should have tried harder to retain him. He has gone from a D-coord on the superbowl winning team to one of the worst teams in the game. And now the giants miss him much. Tough sh*t.
  9. <i>bendgod</i>
    369. Posted by bendgod Mon Nov 9 5:17pm EST

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    Julio: Again I say, maybe the giants should have tried to keep spagnoli from going to the Rams. He can't do much with that franchise anyway and after winning a SB you would think the Giants would have had a means to keep him. He surely appears to be missed alot by the giants D and may even keep them from any chance of a repeat. Some reason I'm thinking we may see the Saints/Vikings vs. the colts playing the SB this year. Of course that reason has much to do with the records of those teams, but the teams chemistry was also taken into consideration. The colts are probably the ones to fear the most as they have Peyton and have seemed to have been keeping under the radar this year. 8-0 and under the radar...crazy.
  10. Josaph
    368. Posted by Josaph Mon Nov 9 5:14pm EST

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    I'm sure the giants and the Giants fans would LOVE to have Steve Spagnuelo back as Defensive Co-ordinator...but they wouldn't be able to pay him the money that hes getting in St. Louis as head coach of that struggling team. If Spags was still in NY, the defense wouldn't be looking as piss-poor as it has been looking recently because he knew these guys capabilities wand when to execute what.

    Bill Sherridan, on the other hand, is lost. Dropping DEs into coverage is NOT advisable...and that prevent defense is about as bad as they come. Offenses score points on the Giants defense when they go prevent.
  11. PatM
    367. Posted by PatM Mon Nov 9 5:13pm EST

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    Tynes should've at least tried to kick it. theres a chance it went in even if Feagles had both hands on the ball
  12. Dee Leoni
    366. Posted by Dee Leoni Mon Nov 9 5:11pm EST

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    Well Bendgod-you are correct in that we have no superbowls to our name-but we DO have an AFL championship from our first and only year in L.A......I know its not a superbowl title but it was a Championship Title none the less......and guess which team was playing in the SAME league?? And did you know that the silver and black finished THAT season with just 2 wins?? Google it for yourself bro and you will see.......kind of sounds like deja vu all over again for you guys, huh?? But its cool.......and that WAS funny how you said you guys didn't lose this weekend.......we didn't lose either, but if we had YOUR quarterback we would have.......
  13. Julio M
    365. Posted by Julio M Mon Nov 9 5:05pm EST

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    Jacobs finally ran hard..
    - the passing game was working
    - the defense actually made two huge stops (forcing 3 and out in the 4th quarter, and the interception by thomas)
    - but the defensive playcalls were HORRIBLE ... i wanted them to blitz, but not every freaking down and not so predictably either.. at least mask the blitzes.. AND STOP DROPPING TUCK & OSI INTO COVERAGE..
    - and the offensive playcalls were HORRIBLE in crucial situations.. 3 running plays from the 14 yd line, not one passing attempt and some momentum after the big INT.. and all delay draw.. WTF Gilbride.. what was that??
  14. <i>bendgod</i>
    364. Posted by bendgod Mon Nov 9 5:05pm EST

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    Yah, it does seem unfair to place blame on Eli if the D lost the game at the end. I did not see the game but it appears they did not even leave him enough time to pull off heroics like he did in the SB. Put that on the giants defense...where the loss belongs. Maybe they shouldn't have let spag get away to coach the Rams. I would not have believed it at all if you said the Giants were going to lose three in a row after starting the year at 5-0. Not a fan and so don't mind it taking place, but just didn't look like this could have happened just a few weeks ago. Of course, they can't play the Raiders every week.
  15. Ron H.
    363. Posted by Ron H. Mon Nov 9 4:42pm EST

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    Why is this about Eli? The Giants had the lead with two minutes to go and the defense let San Diego march down the field and score the winning touchdown. Eli was on the bench. The Giants defense was el stinko for yet another game.
  16. <i>bendgod</i>
    362. Posted by bendgod Mon Nov 9 4:37pm EST

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    Yes, with being a fan for many many years I was also part of the superbowl wins and do indeed get to glorify that because I was a fan at that time and have remained a fan thereafter. And sense the chargers have no superbowls EVER...then you get to live with that as well.
  17. <i>bendgod</i>
    361. Posted by bendgod Mon Nov 9 4:31pm EST

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    We didn't lose this weekend.
  18. Dee Leoni
    360. Posted by Dee Leoni Mon Nov 9 4:25pm EST

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    This is to Bendgod (?) Post #358.........I guess you should know what being a LOSER should feel like considering you are a Raiders fan.......and just like ALL OTHER RAIDER FANS, you are talking about past glories, such as past superbowls, past accomplishments, past players, etc......that's all that the Black Butthole.....oh, i'm sorry, I meant the Black Hole..........can talk about these days......oh, and the fact that the Raider Nation needs to hire a mercenary to get rid of one Al Davis.........so let me tell you one thing bro: AJ is no regular Einstein I will be the FIRST to tell you that but I would rather have HIM making the day to day decisions for my football team ANY DAY than that joke of an owner that you have........oh, and BTW, tell Al that we swept you guys.....AGAIN.......will the Raiders EVER beat the Chargers??? Lol.......
  19. <i>bendgod</i>
    359. Posted by bendgod Mon Nov 9 4:19pm EST

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    Yeah, Marty got shafteed by AJ and the proof is in the pudding. Turner was NOT the answer and Marty's team has now crumbled into a mediocre team at best. Kind of like what Turner did to the skins after Gibbs stepped down. Another loser coach picked by an idiotic GM. Ha ha ha........
  20. <i>bendgod</i>
    358. Posted by bendgod Mon Nov 9 3:49pm EST

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    The only thing good about this is we won't have to listen to River snivel this week. The chargers have no superbowls and won't be getting any soon with AJ as a GM for the team and with Norv Turner calling the shots. Turner has never done anything and took too much credit for Gibbs teams in Washington until he managed to turn them into losers. So lil Tijuana will remain without any titles and the mexifans down there can continue to feel like they are....losers.
  21. Karen
    357. Posted by Karen Mon Nov 9 3:11pm EST

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    hi , I am a true cowboy fan. how about those cowboys ,Giants fans
  22. dave c
    356. Posted by dave c Mon Nov 9 2:13pm EST

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    Any of you who think perennial-loser Norv Turner is a better coach than Marty are fools.
    True Marty never won a Super Bowl but MOST COACHES, good and bad never win it.
    Marty was the last coach who had Cleveland in the playoffs. Marty was the last coach who had Kansas City in the playoffs. Norv has been a loser EVERYWHERE and would not have made any playoffs with us (SD) if the division were not the absolute worst in the league!

    Now before you supporters get your panties all twisted up, i am not saying we need Marty back. We already know the crappy owners and cry-baby GM want a "yes man" so Marty will never be back.
    There are several excellent, proven-winner coaches out there for the taking....
    Cower, Gruden, Holmgren, Shannahan just to name a few. Unfortunately AJ Smith cannot control these proven winners so he sticks with the "nice guy" Norv. Well, nice guys finish last!!!

    Finally, it was not Marty who intercepted a 4th down pass and then tried to return a 4th down pass only to fumble it back to the Patriots. IT was not Marty who committed a personal foul after another 4th down stop on the Patriots with the clock ticking down. Those two plays cost the Chargers the Super Bowl which the Pats went on to win, not Marty's coaching.
  23. <i>abignutsack</i>
    355. Posted by abignutsack Mon Nov 9 2:04pm EST

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    Honestly, was there a single Giants fan out there who didn't think we would lose the game after Tom "I hate winning so I take the gay-ass pu$$y route" Coughlin and Kevin "Why would I want to score TDs in the red zone" Gilbride decided to be pu$$ies again and call those 3 runs at the end of the game. I heard the announcers talking about "playing the percentages". @#$% YOUR PERCENTAGES! Here's a percentage for you: 100% chance we win the game if we score a TD!

    Penalties and play-calling! Why doesn't anyone call out the freaking coaches? STOP TRYING TO LOSE!

    Also, can we disguise Kenny Phillips as CC Brown and get him back on the field? Aaron Ross, too? How about Sam Madison and Jason Sehorn?
  24. Daniel
    354. Posted by Daniel Mon Nov 9 1:56pm EST

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    Yes Marty had a better regular season record, but how did the Chargers perform for him in the playoffs? One and done both times. Sure, Norv's teams don't play with urgency in regular season games but we've done better in the playoffs under him so far.
  25. <i>js5ohlx</i>
    353. Posted by js5ohlx Mon Nov 9 1:51pm EST

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    Look at Eli's stats?? I see a W next to Rivers. Isn't that the stat that counts?
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