Ryan Mathews: Injured RB Will Force Philip Rivers to Play Smart

Philip Rivers doesn’t look like the same NFL MVP candidate we have seen for the past several seasons. There is something missing this year, and his turnover-prone cachet proves that. With his back against the wall, coming off a horrible loss in Kansas City where he blew the game on a fumbled snap, he will be forced to play smarter football without his starting tailback Ryan Mathews.

Rivers has more interceptions than touchdowns in 2011 (seven TDs and 11 INTs). He has thrown at least two interceptions in five-of-seven games this season. He has provided horrible fumbles (five total) including his major error when the Chargers were in field goal range at Kansas City.

He has played inexcusable football this season, and his smarts and mental toughness will be put to the test against the defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers.

This is especially the case without Mathews and his 509 yards and three touchdowns. When Mathews achieves 80 yards or more San Diego is 3-0.

We already know that Aaron Rodgers will put up 25-30 points on the Chargers defense because that’s what he does. He has 2,372 yards and 20 touchdowns passing this season.

It’s time for Rivers to prove that he’s a Top Five quarterback against the best in the business. He needs to show the world that he is capable of playing smart, fundamentally sound football while being able to put points on the board for his team.

Rivers struggling is something that is aberrant—we aren’t used to watching him perform this way. It’s time for Rivers to put away what has happened and focus on what will happen.

Rivers will come out blazing against the Packers, but he can’t allow the turnover problems to subsist. If he does, expect another mark in the loss column for the Chargers.