San Diego Chargers

GRADE
Date	Current	Previous
12/29/11	A	D
The Chargers were out of the playoff race, but they relished the role of spoiler. Quarterback Philip Rivers carved the Raiders secondary apart, throwing for 310 yards and 3 TDs. Wide receiver Malcom Floyd had a huge day, catching seven passes for 127 yards. -- Eric Gilmore, RapidReports Correspondent
12/22/11	D	A
San Diego’s effort at Ford Field lacked the urgency and precision required of playoff teams. The Chargers saw their offensive game-plan dismantled, their defense ripped to shreds, and their postseason chances destroyed. Norv Turner entered Saturday's game with the chance to bolster his job security. He leaves Ford Field with a troubled franchise, and a very uncertain future. -- John Kreger, RapidReports Correspondent
12/15/11	A	A-
The Chargers absolutely dominated perhaps the best team in the AFC on both sides of ball. It was their third consecutive blowout win. Three weeks ago the season appeared over and changes appeared eminent in the front office and coaching staff. The Chargers’ playoffs hopes remain slim, but if they find away in, their will not be a team in the AFC that will want to face them. -- Dan McLellan, RapidReports Correspondent
12/08/11	A-	A
Where was this team during the six-game losing streak? For the second game in a row the Chargers dominated their opponent on both sides of the ball. The offense was balanced and explosive and the defense stopped the run and forced interceptions. If it were not for a Philip Rivers fumble for a TD, this grade would be a perfect A+. -- Dan McLellan, RapidReports Correspondent
12/01/11	A	F
The Chargers needed a big game to stop a six-game losing streak and they got it. Philip Rivers wasn't flawless against a depleted defense, but he was close, passing for three touchdowns. After allowing back-to-back touchdown drives in the second quarter, the Chargers did a better job confusing Jaguars rookie QB Blaine Gabbert in the second half. -- John Oehser, RapidReports Correspondent
11/24/11	F	C-
San Diego's blunders at the end of the first half -- by offense, defense and special teams -- let the Broncos back into the game, and a sporadic passing attack kept the game close before Tim Tebow and the Broncos found a way to win, again. Thousands of Chargers fans departed before Denver kicked the winning field goal. Norv Turner may be on his way out, too, come January. -- Dan McLellan, RapidReports Correspondent
11/17/11	C-	F
Considering the injury problems on the offensive line and that reserves manned three spots, the pass blocking and Philip Rivers' ability to find Vincent Jackson spoke volumes about the team's offense. But the defense continued retreating and offered no pass rush against a Bears offensive line prime for being beaten up. -- Gene Chamberlain, RapidReports Correspondent
11/10/11	F	B-
Sure, the offensive line was beat up with Kris Dielman out and Marcus McNeill (neck stinger) and Louis Vasquez (ankle) leaving the game with injuries. You can even blame it on the depleted linebacking corps that is missing Shaun Phillips and Larry English and lost ILB Takeo Spikes (concussion) during the game. But the time for excuses is over. Something has got to change in San Diego. -- Dan McLellan, RapidReports Correspondent
11/03/11	B-	C-
Philip Rivers threw three INTs and two were returned for TDs. But he did manage to lead the Chargers to 38 points and for the first time all season the offense truly sparked. San Diego also needs to find someone who can play solid at right CB. CB Marcus Gilchrist's poor play lead to four Packers' touchdowns. -- Dan McLellan, RapidReports Correspondent
10/27/11	C-	C+
Hamstrung by injuries, the Chargers did not help themselves with turnovers and penalties. LT Marcus McNeill was a penalty machine with six on the evening. Philip Rivers continued to have his problems, throwing two more interceptions and fumbling the ball away once. Only the San Diego defense kept the team in the game, but they eventually ran out of gas
10/20/11	C+	B-
After a fast start, the Chargers became their own worst enemy, committing 13 penalties for 95 yards. QB Philip Rivers' two INTs changed the momentum of the game. On defense, the Chargers allowed the Jets their highest rushing numbers of the season. One bright spot was the return of TE Antonio Gates, who had five receptions for 54 yards and a touchdown. -- Lisa Zimmerman, RapidReports Correspondent
10/13/11	D	D+
The Chargers scored just three first-half points against a Rams defense that gave up 44 points a week earlier. Losing TE Antonio Gates to an ankle injury didn't help, but the league's second-ranked defense couldn't get consistent stops. Special teams were again an issue with a long punt return early and another blocked field goal. -- Ron Clements, RapidReports Correspondent
10/06/11	B-	B
Ryan Mathews churned out a career-best in rushing. A whopping time of possession kept the Chargers defense fresh. But a late Philip Rivers fumble and spotty play vs. the run kept it close, before SD beat the blitz and took advantage of a Denver personal foul on its final drive to survive. -- Lee Rasizer, RapidReports Correspondent
09/29/11	B	C
Fortunately, K Nick Novak has thus far been an outstanding replacement for K Nate Kaeding (ACL). Novak hit four field goals against the Dolphins and is now six of six since he was signed in Week 2. The Chargers offense, however, is going to need to find its rhythm soon, because more difficult opponents are on the horizon. -- Dan McLellan, RapidReports Correspondent
09/22/11	C	D+
The defense did their job in the first half. holding Kansas City to only 39 total yards (21 rushing, 18 passing) of offense and did not allow the Chiefs to convert a first down. QB Philip Rivers, however, threw two first-half INTs and San Diego only led 10-0 at the break. Three times in the second half the Chiefs got within a score of tying or taking the lead including having the ball in San Diego territory with less than a minute to go in the game. -- Dan McLellan, RapidReports Correspondent
09/15/11	D+	C
The defense played well enough in spurts, but four turnovers by the offense and a failed fourth-and-goal play doomed San Diego. You're just not going to win road games against good teams with that. WR Vincent Jackson had a career day with 10 catches for 172 yards and two TDs. The Patriots clamped down on TE Antonio Gates (zero catches) but had no answer for Jackson. -- Greg Bedard, RapidReports Correspondent
09/08/11	C	-
They had earned an F going into halftime, but then they made necessary adjustments. The defense shut out Donovan McNabb and Adrian Peterson in the second half and the offense scored 17 points to pull out the win. However, the Vikings exposed a lot of areas the team will need to improve. -- Dan McLellan, RapidReports Correspondent

GPA Key
A = 4.0	A- = 3.7	B+ = 3.3
B = 3.0	B- = 2.7	C+ = 2.3
C = 2.0	C- = 1.7	D+ = 1.3
D = 1.0	D- = 0.7