Love him or hate him, Rivers one of game's best

Admit it, part of you doesn't like San Diego Charges quarterback Philip Rivers. You're not sure why, but the dislike is there.

Maybe it's his brash way of playing, his cocky in-your-face style. Maybe you think he's smug. Or is it the sideline-screaming match he had with Denver Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler or his jawing with the Indianapolis fans during a game? Or is it that shot-put release that borders on the ugly? Maybe it's because you just don't like seeing him carve up your team.

Move over Peyton, there's a new most-hated quarterback in the NFL. (AP)

It's almost become trendy not to like him.

Move over, Peyton Manning. Rivers, whose Chargers play the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday in an AFC Divisional Playoff Game, is the quarterback fans now love to hate.

"For whatever reason, that perception or that reality I guess, is out there," Rivers said. "I really, you know, to an extent, I don't get it. The guys that know you, your teammates, your family, know you are the type of person you are. And that's all you can worry about."

The thing is, he's a really good guy. He's married with four kids. He stays out of trouble. He preaches chastity. There's even a video message on the subject he delivered on a website where he called chastity a "lost art." Yes, there actually is an NFL player who does believe in it.

Rivers also works hard to make himself a top passer. He studies film like the son of a coach, which he is. He spends hours at the facility.

In league with gun-toting receivers and "make-it-rain" cornerbacks, why would Rivers take such abuse?

If you doubt it's there, you can look it up. Do a search for "hating Philip Rivers." You'll see.

"I'm not that big a fan of the guy," Cutler said earlier this year.

For what it's worth, Rivers doesn't seem to care.

"I don't know how to explain it," Rivers said. "I don't see anything. Fans have players, or people have players, they like more than others or don't like and dislike and they all have their reasons. I don't see me as a hard person to like. That perception has been created off a couple of camera shots on the RB, where had they had the audio or really a part of the situation there was no big deal. They get all blown up into a certain deal."