The Chargers say they've sold enough tickets to lift the local television blackout of their game Sunday against Tim Tebow and the Broncos. Tebow and the Broncos (5-5) come in on a roll, having won four of five games since Tebow became the starter, including three straight, to take over second place in the AFC West. The Chargers (4-6) have lost five straight to tumble into a tie for last with the Chiefs.

The Chargers are reeling after Thursday night's loss to the Raiders, which dropped them to 4-5 and third place in the AFC West. After beginning the season 4-1, they have lost four straight, their longest skid since the 2003 season. "It's been worse," quarterback Philip Rivers said. "I feel like a broken record for saying it, but we're 4-5. It's been worse than this before."

Coach Norv Turner says Philip Rivers shouldn't be blamed for the tumbling Chargers' 24-17 loss to the Raiders on Thursday night. On the contrary, Turner praised Rivers for surviving a fierce pass rush that resulted in six sacks and numerous hits. "I've been around some guys that wouldn't make it that far through that game," Turner said Friday.

Carson Palmer threw two touchdown passes and Michael Bush ran 30 times for a season-high 157 yards and one TD to lead the Raiders to a 24-17 win over San Diego on Thursday night, the Chargers' fourth straight loss. The Raiders (5-4) broke a two-game losing streak and took a half-game lead over the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West.

Chargers owner Dean Spanos offered a candid assessment of quarterback Philip Rivers on Monday. Rivers threw a career-high three interceptions in San Diego's 45-38 loss to Green Bay. "Sometimes you just have an off year," Spanos told NFL Network's Alex Flanagan. "That is what Phillip Rivers is having so far." Rivers has thrown a league-high 14 interceptions this season.

Philip Rivers says there is nothing different this season than in past years aside from his poor statistics. He had the first three-interception game of his career on Sunday against the Packers in a 45-38 loss. His 14 interceptions and 17 turnovers overall lead the NFL. "Other than statistically, there's nothing different," Rivers said. "I'm a year older, and that's about it. I've got one more child but there are no injuries. There's nothing different. "I appreciate everyone trying to come up with a theory and a reason that I'm hurt," he added. "I'm not hurt. I've thrown a handful of picks that I normally don't throw and I'll probably throw some more throughout my career. There won't always be a reason why." Many have wondered for weeks what's wrong with Rivers, whether it's an injury due to some hard hits early in the season or if it has something to do with his wife recently giving birth to their sixth child.

The Chargers are attempting to alter the running style of Ryan Mathews in an effort to keep him healthy. “He’s a very physical runner,” Norv Turner said. “He initiates collisions a lot, and we can help him in that way and just continuing to get on the boundary and get out of bounds and some of the things when the play’s dead, let it end.” LaDainian Tomlinson was increasingly prudent with when to avoid contact during his tenure with Chargers.

Chargers general manager A.J. Smith has fired back at LaDainian Tomlinson for criticizing Philip Rivers. Tomlinson said that Rivers, who is struggling this season, seems to be "distracted." Smith did not hold back in his response to Tomlinson's comments. "I agree with what LT said about it's hard being the guy," Smith said. "But I think it's a lot harder when it's no longer your team, and you're not the guy."

LaDainian Tomlinson says he thinks Philip Rivers "seems distracted," and was stunned Monday night when his former teammate fumbled a snap near the end of regulation of an overtime loss to the Chiefs. Tomlinson, in his second season with the Jets, wouldn't speculate Thursday when asked if Rivers is struggling because he's not healthy.

Chargers QB Philip Rivers wants to set the record straight, according to an ESPN.com report on Wednesday. Cameras caught Rivers saying what appeared to be, "This is the worst day ever," moments after he fumbled away the snap in the final minutes of regulation Monday night as the Chargers were driving to what appeared to be certain win against the Chiefs. "I didn't say that. I don't know if I ever said that. It wasn't the worst day ever. It may have been the worst play I've ever been a part of, but it wasn't the worst day," Rivers said as the Chargers began preparing to face the Packers on Sunday.