NFL Stock Watch: Who's Up and Down for the Chargers After a Win Over Denver

The San Diego Chargers head into their bye week with a 4-1 mark, but nobody is sighing for relief after their performance in the first five games.

The Chargers have been the king of the "ugly win" for years and 2011 has not been any different.

I look past the collective and explore individual players who impressed and disappointed in Week 5.

Here is who's rising and falling after the Charger's victory over the Denver Broncos.

Philip Rivers: Falling

Right when Phillip Rivers showed signs of turning his season around, he has another “ho-hum” game like he had in Denver.

Don’t look now, but all of the "Rivers for MVP" prognosticators have jumped ship.

His game against the Broncos was altogether uninspiring. He could not extend drives in Denver territory and had multiple turnovers against a bottom-10 Bronco defense.

However, River’s problems are not all his own. Norv Turner has not opened the playbook for his quarterback, sticking with max-protection and limiting receivers downfield. Also, Rivers has been without his security blanket, Pro Bowl tight end Antonio Gates, since Week 1 

While Rivers hasn’t been at his best, the upcoming bye week should provide a break for both him and his depleted offensive attack.

Malcolm Floyd: Rising

With Philip Rivers targeting Vincent Jackson more every week, Malcolm Floyd had yet to fill up the stat sheet.

But with Jackson hobbled against Denver, Floyd answered the call.

The 6'5'' receiver from Wyoming threatened the Broncos secondary all game, leading all receivers with 100 yards. No catch was bigger than Floyd’s 40-yard reception in the game’s final quarter that forced the Broncos to need a touchdown for a victory.

Hopefully this is a sign that Floyd can be a consistent contributor to this depleted Chargers’ offense. With Jackson less than 100 percent and reports on Antonio Gates anything but encouraging, Floyd’s number may be called again in two weeks at the New York Jets.

Donald Butler: Rising

Butler suffered a season-ending injury as a rookie in 2010.

Now healthy, the second-year linebacker is making the most of his opportunity

He has anchored San Diego’s front seven, leading the team in tackles and is averaging over five a game. Butler also caught one the Chargers five interceptions this season.

On a banged up defensive unit, Butler has been a healthy cog that will have to continue playing at a high level for the Chargers to contend. 

Nick Novak: Rising

Last week against Miami, Novak went 4-for-4 and was the team’s top point scorer. 

After a special performance like that, he gave San Diego an encore.

The kicker went 5-for-5 against Denver, including his longest attempt of his career at 51 yards.

Novak has had a phenomenal start to his Charger career and has single-handedly made injured kicker Nate Kaeding dispensable. 

Thanks to Charger GM A.J. Smith, San Diego has become a kicker factory.