Last meeting
in Week 14 of 2003, Doug Flutie threw a pair of touchdown passes to lead the Chargers over the host Lions, 14-7. The win was only the third of the season for the Chargers, who would end up with the first pick in the 2004 NFL Draft.
Streaks
The Chargers have won the last five meetings dating to 1981 and lead the all-time series 5-3.
Last week
Tony Romo hit Jason Witten on a 16-yard TD strike with 18 seconds left as the Lions dropped a heart-breaker to the Cowboys, 28-27. LaDainian Tomlinson scored on a 16-yard touchdown run in overtime to erase a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit to win 23-17.
Key matchup
Lions CBs Fernando Bryant and Travis Fisher vs. Chargers QB Philip Rivers. The Lions rank near the bottom of the NFL in pass defense but have recorded 16 interceptions this season (seventh in the league). Rivers has committed 20 turnovers this season (15 interceptions and five fumbles). Rivers struggled early against the Titans before he rebounded to throw a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns to lead the Chargers' comeback. Rivers must show some of that consistency early because San Diego's struggles this season can be directly tied to Rivers' performance. The team is 8-1 when the young quarterback completes 70 percent of his passes. Rivers needs to avoid the mistakes and let the Chargers skill players do their job on offense. Rivers is 5-2 as a starter against the NFC.
Did you know?
Lions quarterback Jon Kitna threw for 243 yards and four touchdowns in his last start against the Chargers in 2003 as the Bengals quarterback. ... Tomlinson needs only 5 rushing yards to join Eric Dickerson as the only players in NFL history to start their career with seven 1,200-yard seasons.
