Dec. 22, 2009

Power Rankings: Fouts-like Rivers belongs in MVP talk

By Pete Prisco | CBSSports.com Senior Writer
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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	Giants · Trends	1
	They are a young team and need to improve in some areas, but why can't they repeat?
	2	Packers · Trends	2
	Deep down, you know they feel they blew a good chance to repeat in 2011. But that defense has to show more in 2012 if they are to bounce back.
	3	Texans · Trends	8
	The health of Matt Schaub is the key, but they might have been the best team in the AFC before he went down last season. They say he's ahead of schedule in his rehab.
	4	Patriots · Trends	3
	Improving the defense and the speed outside in the passing game makes them an improved team. That's scary for the rest of the AFC East.
	5	Steelers · Trends	7
	They did a nice job with their draft of trying to improve the offensive line, but there are some concerns on defense.
	6	49ers · Trends	4
	Why am I the only one who thinks this team will slip some in 2012? Maybe it's because I don't believe in the passing game.
	7	Falcons · Trends	9
	The change in offensive styles will make this a much better team in 2012. Matt Ryan will have his best season.
	8	Eagles · Trends	14
	If somebody says Dream Team this summer, they just may get cut. The Eagles have a talented roster, which means it's all on Mike Vick.
	9	Saints · Trends	6
	How do you lose an offensive wizard like Sean Payton and just keep on moving forward? When does Drew Brees show up?
	10	Lions · Trends	11
	They will once again be a high-scoring team, but have they done enough to fix a defense that wasn't very good last season?
	11	Ravens · Trends	5
	Losing Terrell Suggs with a torn Achilles tendon is a huge hit. They better hope Courtney Upshaw is the real deal.
	12	Bengals · Trends	10
	They had a great draft to add to a young, talented team. They aren't going anywhere. They will push for a playoff spot -- and maybe more -- again.
	13	Broncos · Trends	13
	I'm not ready to rush the Broncos into the Super Bowl just because Manning is on board. And who knows if the neck will be an issue?
	14	Cowboys · Trends	12
	To say this is a huge year for Tony Romo is an understatement. Even if the criticism he gets is sometimes unwarranted.
	15	Bears · Trends	21
	Jay Cutler is back healthy, which is the big thing for this team. What happens with Matt Forte?
	16	Cardinals · Trends	17
	If John Skelton or Kevin Kolb can take a major step forward, the Cardinals can win the NFC West. That is a big if.
	17	Chargers · Trends	18
	Is this the bounce-back year for the Chargers when all the focus is on the Broncos?
	18	Bills · Trends	26
	Adding Mario Williams in free agency really helps upgrade the pass rush. If Ryan Fitzpatrick can revert to his pre-injury form of 2011, the Bills could get to .500.
	19	Jets · Trends	16
	The worst thing they did was bring in Tim Tebow to a situation where Mark Sanchez has to become the guy. This is going to be a tough season.
	20	Seahawks · Trends	20
	Matt Flynn has to be improved over Tarvaris Jackson, or the Seahawks' talented defense will have to win a lot of games.
	21	Raiders · Trends	19
	New coach Dennis Allen inherits a team with a lot of speed. Look for a big year from Carson Palmer.
	22	Chiefs · Trends	22
	It's all about Matt Cassel. Can he show that he's the long-term answer for a talented young team?
	23	Titans · Trends	15
	For the sake of the franchise, it has to be Jake Locker time in Nashville. What's the point of delaying the inevitable?
	24	Panthers · Trends	25
	With Cam Newton, the offense will be special again. He does need to cut down on the mistakes. Did they do enough to improve the defense?
	25	Jaguars · Trends	27
	It's all on quarterback Blaine Gabbert. If he progresses, they can be good. If not, some heads might roll.
	26	Buccaneers · Trends	28
	They spent big in free agency and did some good things in the draft. But the division is tough and they might be a year away.
	27	Redskins · Trends	24
	Robert Griffin III will start from the get-go, which might make for some tough spots early. But by season's end, watch out for this team.
	28	Dolphins · Trends	23
	I expect them to play Ryan Tannehill early to get the process started. That would be the right thing to do, even if it means it's a clear rebuilding year.
	29	Rams · Trends	32
	Jeff Fisher has a lot of work to get this team back to playoff ready. But having Sam Bradford will make it a lot easier to do.
	30	Vikings · Trends	30
	There are a lot of holes, and how will Adrian Peterson bounce back? The secondary has to be improved for the Vikings to make any strides.
	31	Browns · Trends	29
	They will likely be starting a rookie runner and a rookie quarterback in the backfield. That spells a long season.
	32	Colts · Trends	31
	It's rebuilding time now. There will be growing pains with a young team and a rookie starting at quarterback.