NFL Week 11 Predictions: Why the Chargers Will Lose to the Chicago Bears

The San Diego Chargers are 4-5 and on a four-game losing streak as they visit the Chicago Bears today. The Chargers have struggled mightily this season and things only appear to be getting worse each week. Meanwhile the Bears opened the season 2-3, but have reeled off four straight wins and are now 6-3.

San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers has taken a lot of heat nationally for his play this season, and while he hasn't been great, the 29-year-old signal-caller has had almost no help from his teammates. Rivers has been under near-constant pressure all season and has essentially had to be running for his life all year. 

On top of that, head coach (and playcaller) Norv Turner has gotten ridiculously pass-happy, which has put far more pressure on Rivers to perform. I'm not here to defend Rivers' play this season, I just have to point out that his struggles aren't all his fault.

On Sunday against the Bears things could get even worse for the North Carolina State product. Rivers will be missing three-fifths of their starting offensive line, as left guard Kris Dielman (out for the year), right guard Louis Vasquez and left tackle Marcus McNeill are all expected to miss Sunday's game. 

The only way the Chargers can go into Chicago and pull off a win is if they run the ball effectively and consistently. Unfortunately, with Turner in charge, that has almost never happened.

Regardless of how successful the running game has been during his time, Turner almost always abandons it at some point each game. San Diego has Ryan Mathews and Mike Tolbert in the backfield, and both guys are capable of running the ball consistently. Unfortunately, in Turner's shotgun-heavy offense they have been getting ignored lately.

Unless San Diego's head coach completely changes his personality, expect Rivers to be under constant pressure today and expect the Chargers to lose their fifth straight game.