Week 3 Start 'Em or Sit 'Em: Why You Must Start Philip Rivers

The San Diego Chargers are currently 1-1 after a 35-21 loss to the New England Patriots in Week 2. Philip Rivers had a tough game on Sunday as he turned the ball over three times, taking his turnover total to five (four interceptions and a fumble) on the season.

Despite his problems protecting the football, Rivers is a must-start this weekend as the Kansas City Chiefs come to town.

Rivers has been remarkably accurate this season when not throwing the ball to the opposing team. Thus far he has completed 62 of 88 passes for 713 yards, with four touchdowns to go along with his four interceptions. Despite those turnovers he still carries a 90.8 quarterback rating. This weekend with the Chiefs limping into town, expect Rivers to get back to being the guy he's been over the past few seasons.

The Chiefs have lost Eric Berry—their best player in the secondary—for the season with a torn ACL. Kansas City's offense is also reeling and if it remains ineffective, that means Rivers will have the ball in his hands a lot this weekend.

The Chargers have been putting up a ton of yardage (438.5 yards per game), but not scoring a lot of points (22.5). That should end this weekend as they face a Chiefs team that is allowing opponents to score 44.5 points per game.

Rivers and his favorite wideout, Vincent Jackson, have started this season out on the right foot. After the receiver held out for most of last season, having him on board from the beginning has been a huge boon to the Chargers' passing attack. Rivers found Jackson 10 times for 172 yards and two touchdowns—including an incredible one-handed snag in the end zone—against the Patriots. When those two are on the same page the Chargers are dangerous, and they appear to be locked in right now.

If tight end Antonio Gates can get back on track—the Patriots held him without a catch in Week 2—Rivers should throw for a ton of yards against the Chiefs. With Kansas City's offense struggling the Chargers also aren't likely to be playing from behind, which means the quarterback won't have to force things as he did against the Patriots.

Expect a big week from Rivers.