San Diego Chargers Daily Links: Can Philip Rivers protect the ball against the Raiders?

Chargers defense turns new corners - Michael Gehlken (UT$)
"Just go out there and cut it loose," coach Mike McCoy said Friday. "Whoever’s opposite Casey in the game, just go out there and play with confidence like they did last week. Do your job. That’s all they have to do. … Robert just got here, … a smart player who came in and learned as much as he could in a short period of time. The other two played last week and helped us out. Trovon made the big interception, which was great to see. He’s worked so hard for the opportunity and made the most of it.

Chargers Should Play the Next 3 Games With an Eye on the Future - Joseph Kavaloski
Another major benefit of playing these games with an eye towards the future is the possibility of finding another group of “diamond in the rough” type players. Thanks to the Chargers’ laundry list of injuries, many inexperienced, practice squad type players have seen regular playing time in 2016. This has largely been done out of necessity since the Bolts merely needed bodies to fill the positions at various points this season. Now, the team can instead focus on giving these players adequate playing time to potentially prove themselves in the NFL

Raiders Secondary Must 'make Him Pay' When Rivers Goes Deep - Scott Bair
“He’s a smart guy, and we know he has the playbook in his hands when he goes to the line of scrimmage,” Allen said. “He runs the show from there, so we have to give him some different looks that cause some indecision and hopefully force him to make some mistakes.”

Sunday NFL Notes: Bortles may end up thanking Rivers - Ryan O'Halloran
*Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles may up sending a thank you gift to San Diego’s Philip Rivers. Bortles was in the driver’s seat for a second straight interceptions crown, but Rivers has 10 picks in his last four games, giving him 17 for the season. Rivers had only four in his first seven games. Bortles has 15.

Coach Jack Del Rio’s confidence has rubbed off on Raiders - Vic Tafur
“How they’d counter it and what our answers are,” Del Rio said. “It’s really about having answers and then it’s about the execution when you get to that moment. I think having the turns in the system and having the repetitions, practicing it and perfecting it, I think that really goes a long way.”