Power Rankings: Fouts-like Rivers belongs in MVP talk

Updated Dec. 22

The San Diego Chargers' passing game with Dan Fouts was one I always loved to watch. Air Coryell, the nickname for that offense, was ahead of its time, an innovative, creative, aggressive approach that stodgy NFL writers hated because it wasn't the Green Bay power sweep.

Fouts had a Hall of Fame career picking apart defenses, playing for Don Coryell, who was an offensive mastermind.

This year's Chargers are doing the same thing.

But the amazing thing is that Philip Rivers is actually having a season that could statistically be better than any that Fouts ever had.

Air Turner anyone?

Rivers has a passer rating of 102.8, which is better than any Fouts had during his 15-year career. Rivers' 8.8 yards-per-attempt average ties the best by Fouts in a season, which he did in 1983.

Rivers has 25 touchdown passes and nine interceptions, a ratio that Fouts didn't even come close to in his career. Rivers has a completion percentage of 64.6, while the best of Fouts' career was 63.2 in 1983.

I'm not saying Rivers is in the Fouts class just yet, but he's quietly having a special season -- one that deserves MVP consideration.

The Chargers have won nine consecutive games, getting to 11-3, heading into a Christmas Day game with Tennessee. Rivers is now 17-0 as a starter in December. He does it in the clutch.

The Chargers offense features the long ball. Rivers' 8.8 per-attempt average leads the NFL in a year where those numbers are way up for a lot of passers. Four of the top 10 leading passers right now have their highest per-attempt average of their careers. Rivers' previous high was 8.4 in 2008.

Rivers has 56 pass plays of 20 yards or more, which ties him with Drew Brees for second, one behind leader Peyton Manning. But while Brees and Manning are considered the leaders in the MVP race, Rivers isn't even mentioned.

That's wrong.

The Chargers were LaDainian Tomlinson's team for much of this decade. This is Rivers' team now. He's the reason they are No. 3 in the CBSSports.com Power Rankings. He's the reason they have a real chance to get to a Super Bowl.

Air Turner is fun to watch. I look forward to seeing it live Christmas Day in Nashville.

The Power Rankings through Week 15:

Power Rankings
Current		Team	Previous
	1	Colts · Trends	1
	They are the last of the unbeaten teams. But do they go for it? That's the big question. Don't push it.
	2	Saints · Trends	2
	The defense has to improve or the big regular season will go to waste in the playoffs. They can't stop anybody.
	3	Chargers · Trends	4
	This is a fun team to watch with the throws they make down the field. They challenge vertically more than any team in the league. They have a tough one this week at Tennessee.
	4	Vikings · Trends	3
	Is the Favre meltdown happening? It sure looks that way. He looked so uncomfortable against the Panthers.
	5	Eagles · Trends	5
	They have a chance to actually end up with the second seed now. That could be huge. The pass offense is really clicking.
	6	Cowboys · Trends	9
	Can we put the December swoon talk to rest? Not if they lose this week at Washington we can't. But they get big props for beating the Saints.
	7	Bengals · Trends	6
	They've faced some real adversity this season and can lock up the division with a victory Sunday. The good thing to come out of the San Diego game was Carson Palmer's improved passing.
	8	Packers · Trends	7
	What happened to that defense at Pittsburgh? Is that the same secondary with Charles Woodson? The good news is the offensive line is playing better.
	9	Cardinals · Trends	8
	They sure do a good job of making things interesting. But they're the division champs and they can rest the next two games since they really don't matter.
	10	Patriots · Trends	11
	They won their first road game in the States this season at Buffalo, but the best thing was they got Randy Moss involved. They have to have him to have a Super chance.
	11	Ravens · Trends	12
	They control their own destiny to the playoffs. But you can bet it will be a war this week at Pittsburgh. And this time it's Ben Roethlisberger, not Dennis Dixon.
	12	Broncos · Trends	10
	Just when you think we can put them in the playoffs, they choke one away like they did against the Raiders. Now they have to go to Philly for a tough one against the Eagles.
	13	Giants · Trends	14
	Where was that team we saw Monday night all season long? That team can win a Super Bowl. But they have a tough two weeks to go to even get into the playoffs.
	14	Dolphins · Trends	13
	At 7-7, they're still alive. But they play an elimination game Sunday against the Texans. Winner stays alive. Loser is done.
	15	Jaguars · Trends	15
	This was a rebuilding year, so even sniffing the playoffs in December was gravy. One thing is certain now: They have to draft a quarterback.
	16	Steelers · Trends	17
	Roethlisberger saved their season against the Packers after Mike Tomlin almost blew it with his dumb onside kick decision. Now they have a huge one against the Ravens. How hard will the hitting be in that one?
	17	Jets · Trends	16
	How can they lose that game at home to the Falcons? Here's how: Mark Sanchez is struggling. They have to get more from him.
	18	Titans · Trends	18
	After that 0-6 start, they are playing a huge game against the Chargers on Christmas Day. That's hard to believe.
	19	Falcons · Trends	19
	You have to give Mike Smith credit for keeping this team playing hard with nothing to play for against the Jets. They have a chance to have back-to-back winning seasons.
	20	Texans · Trends	20
	They're at .500, still alive in the playoff chase, but now must win at Miami to keep it going. They haven't played well in these big-game roles.
	21	49ers · Trends	22
	Alex Smith didn't help his chances of being the long-term guy with his play in Philadelphia. The next two games will decide his future with the 49ers -- I think.
	22	Panthers · Trends	24
	Matt Moore is an upgrade over Jake Delhomme. I think that's obvious. But can they win with him over the long haul?
	23	Redskins · Trends	27
	If there was any doubt that the Redskins needed a coaching change, there shouldn't be now after the Giants game. That was as bad as it gets.
	24	Seahawks · Trends	21
	Is Matt Hasselbeck done? He sure isn't playing that well. They need to hire a real football man to find a real quarterback for the future.
	25	Bills · Trends	23
	Do they need a quarterback or what? They have to draft one early next spring.
	26	Raiders · Trends	26
	So JaMarcus Russell leads the Raiders to a comeback victory and Charlie Frye is still the starter? Says a lot about Russell.
	27	Bears · Trends	25
	Jerry Angelo said no decision has been made about Lovie Smith. Has it been made about Angelo?
	28	Browns · Trends	32
	Don't look now but the Browns are on a winning streak -- two consecutive games. Is it enough for Mike Holmgren to keep Eric Mangini when he takes over?
	29	Chiefs · Trends	28
	I think I could run for 120 against their defense. They can't stop anybody. Matt Cassel at least played better.
	30	Buccaneers · Trends	31
	Showing some fight against Seattle is a good sign for this young group. Maybe Raheem Morris deserves a second year.
	31	Lions · Trends	29
	They showed some nice fight against the Cardinals. They need more players like rookie safety Louis Delmas.
	32	Rams · Trends	30
	It has been a trying season for first-year coach Steve Spagnuolo. But now it's time to start studying the college quarterbacks. They need one.