Chargers Report Card: A win keeps the ax at bay

Chargers coach Norv Turner (left) shakes hands with Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel after San Diego's 31-13 win on Thursday night. (US Presswire)

San Diego's 31-13 win over the Chiefs on Thursday night means Chargers general manager A.J. Smith and coach Norv Turner will retain their jobs for at least a few more weeks and likely through the end of the season.

There was considerable speculation heading into the game that Smith and Turner were in jeopardy of losing their jobs if San Diego (4-4) had fallen to Kansas City (1-7).

Offense: B+

QB Philip Rivers only averaged 12.22 yards per completion. Still, it's hard to argue that what he accomplished was anything less than impressive. Rivers completed 18 of 20 passes for 220 yards and two TDs with a passer rating of 125.0. The performance marked the sixth time in NFL history a QB completed 90 percent of his passes in a game with 20 or more attempts. Malcom Floyd was the only WR in the game whom Rivers had previously completed a pass to this season. Eddie Royal and Robert Meachem were inactive due to hamstring injuries. New additions Danario Alexander (three receptions, 61 yards) and Seyi Ajirotutu (one reception, 28 yards) combined for a perfect four-for-four performance and 89 yards. RB Ryan Mathews rushed for 67 yards on 13 carries. The Chargers' combined rushing attack added up to 123 yards on 26 attempts. The offense stays out of the A range because Rivers forced a ball into coverage on third-and-goal from the 1-yard line that was intercepted by S Eric Berry. The play cost San Diego three points and is the type of play that is often the difference between a win and a loss. Rivers got lucky this time, but he hasn't been so fortunate in the past. Previous game's grade: F

Defense: A-

Coming into the game, the Chiefs had averaged 155.1 yards on the ground, ranked first in the AFC. The defense held the Chiefs rushing attack to just 113 yards on 30 attempts. RB Jamaal Charles, the third-leading rusher in the AFC, was held to 39 yards on 12 attempts. The defense scored two touchdowns. OLB Shaun Phillips recovered a fumble in the end zone that was caused by an OLB Jarret Johnson sack of QB Matt Cassel. ILB Demorrio Williams ended the Chiefs' next drive when he intercepted Cassel and returned it 59 yards for a TD. A 10-play, 80-yard Chiefs TD drive in the fourth quarter kept this grade from a solid A. The Chiefs, however, ate up 10:34 of clock on the drive and only 4:07 remained in the game. Not enough time to mount a serious comeback, even if they had been successful with their onside kick. Previous game's grade: A-

Special Teams: C

FS Eric Weddle fumbled a punt return that was recovered by Chiefs LB Cory Greenwood on the Chargers' 24-yard line with the score still 10-3 early in the third quarter. If the Chiefs had converted the opportunity into a TD, they would have had momentum and the outcome of the game could have been different. Fortunately, the defense held the Chiefs to a three-and-out, and Kansas City K Ryan Succop missed a 39-yard field goal. Previous game's grade: B+

Coaching: C

Defensive coordinator John Pagano deserves a higher grade, but the grade is reflective of Turner. This season, Turner has not shown an ability to put together a game plan to beat a team with a winning record or the ability to make the right calls on a final drive to pull out a win. Turner will not enter the B range until the Chargers beat a winning team. For Turner to receive an above-average grade, the Chargers need to beat an above-average team. Turner won't get an A until he properly manages a game and calls the right plays to pull out a win with a final-possession TD. The Chargers have not accomplished this since Week 9 of 2009. This win over the Chiefs was important, but it's also important to keep it in perspective: two of the Chargers' four wins this season have come against the Chiefs. The four wins have come against losing teams with a combined 7-17 record. Previous game's grade: F