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SAN DIEGO (AP) -The best Philip Rivers could do on Wednesday was offer a prediction.
"I will feel good,'' said Rivers, who wore a protective boot on his sprained right foot and was mostly a spectator when his San Diego Chargers went through a short practice.
Rivers hurt his foot Sunday as the Chargers won their 10th straight game. He missed only one play before coming back to throw two touchdown passes in a 27-20 win against Arizona that clinched home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs.
The Chargers (14-2) get a bye this weekend before hosting a divisional round game, against New England, the New York Jets or the Kansas City Chiefs.
"It's pretty sore,'' Rivers said. "It's not unbearable. If we had to roll tonight, I'd be ready to roll. It's one of those kind of deals. It's not real comfortable, so we're taking care of it this week since we have some time. I need to get a good week of practice next week before the game.''
Rivers was at least involved in practice. Coach Marty Schottenheimer said offensive coordinator Cam Cameron let Rivers call plays while backup Billy Volek took the snaps.
Rivers doubts he'll take any reps this week, when Schottenheimer hopes to tighten up some fundamentals.
Rivers will be making his playoff debut. He was a rookie in 2004 when the Chargers made a quick playoff exit, losing 20-17 in overtime at home against the Jets.
Although Rivers was voted to the Pro Bowl, he's had some miserable passing performances lately. He had two straight games in which he completed less than 35 percent of his passes, throwing for less than 100 yards in one of them.
Then again, he extricated himself from a sub-par showing on Christmas Eve when he threw a 37-yard touchdown pass to Vincent Jackson with 29 seconds left to give the Chargers a 20-17 win at Seattle.
Now that it's January, Rivers knows what's at stake.
"It's three to win it, and lose one and you're out of there. I'm just looking forward to the excitement that comes with any type of playoff.''
Rivers said he won't approach his first playoff game any differently than he approached the regular season, when he said he was fortunate to have both good and bad moments.
He threw for 3,388 yards and 22 touchdowns, with nine interceptions. He had a 92.0 passer rating, fourth in the AFC.
LaDainian Tomlinson carried the load for the Chargers, becoming the NFL's most prolific scorer in a single season with 31 touchdowns and 186 points.
"I don't have to, all of a sudden, 'All right, hey, it's time for me to work magic now,' " Rivers said. "Hey, I ain't been working magic all year. I've been just playing within the system and guys have been making plays. The line's been blocking, L.T.'s been running for 30 some touchdowns. I've been a part of something that's done some great things, but it hasn't been me, and it doesn't have to start being me now because we're in a playoff situation.''
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16458877/
"I will feel good,'' said Rivers, who wore a protective boot on his sprained right foot and was mostly a spectator when his San Diego Chargers went through a short practice.
Rivers hurt his foot Sunday as the Chargers won their 10th straight game. He missed only one play before coming back to throw two touchdown passes in a 27-20 win against Arizona that clinched home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs.
The Chargers (14-2) get a bye this weekend before hosting a divisional round game, against New England, the New York Jets or the Kansas City Chiefs.
"It's pretty sore,'' Rivers said. "It's not unbearable. If we had to roll tonight, I'd be ready to roll. It's one of those kind of deals. It's not real comfortable, so we're taking care of it this week since we have some time. I need to get a good week of practice next week before the game.''
Rivers was at least involved in practice. Coach Marty Schottenheimer said offensive coordinator Cam Cameron let Rivers call plays while backup Billy Volek took the snaps.
Rivers doubts he'll take any reps this week, when Schottenheimer hopes to tighten up some fundamentals.
Rivers will be making his playoff debut. He was a rookie in 2004 when the Chargers made a quick playoff exit, losing 20-17 in overtime at home against the Jets.
Although Rivers was voted to the Pro Bowl, he's had some miserable passing performances lately. He had two straight games in which he completed less than 35 percent of his passes, throwing for less than 100 yards in one of them.
Then again, he extricated himself from a sub-par showing on Christmas Eve when he threw a 37-yard touchdown pass to Vincent Jackson with 29 seconds left to give the Chargers a 20-17 win at Seattle.
Now that it's January, Rivers knows what's at stake.
"It's three to win it, and lose one and you're out of there. I'm just looking forward to the excitement that comes with any type of playoff.''
Rivers said he won't approach his first playoff game any differently than he approached the regular season, when he said he was fortunate to have both good and bad moments.
He threw for 3,388 yards and 22 touchdowns, with nine interceptions. He had a 92.0 passer rating, fourth in the AFC.
LaDainian Tomlinson carried the load for the Chargers, becoming the NFL's most prolific scorer in a single season with 31 touchdowns and 186 points.
"I don't have to, all of a sudden, 'All right, hey, it's time for me to work magic now,' " Rivers said. "Hey, I ain't been working magic all year. I've been just playing within the system and guys have been making plays. The line's been blocking, L.T.'s been running for 30 some touchdowns. I've been a part of something that's done some great things, but it hasn't been me, and it doesn't have to start being me now because we're in a playoff situation.''
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16458877/
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