Philip Rivers is an Oakland Raiders fan this week | general | Forum

COSTA MESA http://www.bearscheapstores.co…..rsey-cheap , Calif. (AP) —  sort of.Rivers and the Los Angeles Chargers can win the AFC West and secure home-field advantage in the AFC playoffs by beating Denver and having the Raiders defeat Kansas City on Sunday.The Chargers can also take the division title, a first-round bye and home field with a tie against the Broncos and a Chiefs loss.“I’m rooting for us on Sunday and whatever happens happens,” Rivers said Wednesday. “I don’t know that my cheering is going to matter.”Those scenarios are rendered moot if the Chargers (11-4) don’t hold up their end, so the team’s focus is directed internally and not on an assist from their nemesis in silver and black.A loss by Los Angeles or a Kansas City win would see the Chargers finish as the No. 5 seed in the AFC, likely playing at the AFC North winner in the wild-card round next weekend.“Yeah, I’d love to see the Raiders play their best game of the year and win, but we can’t control that,” Chargers coach Anthony Lynn said. “We got this Denver team that since I’ve been here we’re 1-2 against so we’re looking to get even there. We have some improvement to do this week to get there.”The Chargers need help, in part, because of their 23-22 loss to the Broncos at home on Nov. 18. That defeat was partially self-inflicted, with the defense allowing pass plays of 38 and 30 yards to set up Brandon McManus’ 34-yard field goal as time expired.The offense had an opportunity to run out the clock in Denver territory, but Rivers was forced to scramble for a loss of 4 yards and threw away a third-down pass instead of keeping the clock running.Rivers said managing those late-game situations become even more important going into the playoffs.“The consequences go up,” Rivers said. “A possession in the fourth quarter with eight minutes left is a little different than the second quarter http://www.cowboyscheapauthent…..rsey-cheap , right? Just all those things are a little more critical in the fourth quarter of a one-score game and what’s going to be the fourth quarter of a postseason game here real soon.”The Broncos (6-9) also sacked Rivers three times in that game, and improving their pass protection is a priority for the Chargers after allowing four sacks in their 22-10 loss to Baltimore on Saturday.The Ravens had success rushing with four defenders in that game, and the Broncos’ edge rush combination of Von Miller and Bradley Chubb is even more formidable, Lynn said. Chubb has 12 sacks and has a chance to pass the rookie record of 14½ set in 1999 by Jevon Kearse. Miller has 14½ sacks, his fifth consecutive season with double-digit sacks.“One of the best defensive players in the game,” Lynn said of Miller. “And Chubb’s not bad either. That combination right there, I do believe that’s the strength of their defense is that pass rush, and so we’re going to have to find a way to contain those two, for sure.”Lynn felt the offensive line was unfairly criticized for its performance against Baltimore, saying the tight ends and running backs also contribute to protections.There are other factors, he added, from the receivers running routes and creating separation to Rivers getting rid of the ball in certain situations.Addressing pass protection and other issues will help keep the Chargers focused on what happens against Denver, Rivers said.“We know we get a game the following weekend,” Rivers said. “Where Connor McGovern Jersey , who knows, or how it all shakes out. But let’s focus on us and get back playing the way we’ve played most of this year. Offensively, we’ve got plenty of things to work on this week both in practice and hopefully let that transfer to playing better on Sunday.”And if the Raiders come through, all the better for the Chargers.“It is weird to be rooting for the Raiders,” Lynn said. “But that’s the nature of this business, you know.”NOTES: RB Austin Ekeler practiced Wednesday. Lynn expects Ekeler to play after missing the past two games because of a neck injury and concussion. MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings have kept the heart of their defense intact with a hefty commitment to linebacker Anthony Barr.For the four-time Pro Bowl pick, a late offer to stay with the only NFL team he’s played for proved too valuable to pass up.According to a person with direct knowledge of the deal, Barr agreed Tuesday to re-sign with the Vikings on a five-year, $67.5 million contract with $33 million guaranteed and more money available through escalators. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal had not yet been announced by the Vikings, who had until the beginning of the new league year Wednesday to clear the necessary space for Barr’s contract to fit under the salary cap.Barr first made a verbal agreement to join the New York Jets, according to reports by ESPN and the NFL Network, but he ultimately changed his mind to remain with the team that drafted him ninth overall in 2014.In an Instagram post Tuesday night, Barr confirmed his decision and thanked the Vikings ownership, executives and coaches for the opportunity to return .“It’s been a crazy couple days Khari Willis Jersey , but I’m where I want to be,” Barr said. “I believe in our locker room. I love my guys! Back to work!”The Vikings landed quarterback Kirk Cousins last season, despite a larger offer from the Jets. Fifteen years ago, at the persistence of then-coach Mike Tice and his friend’s private plane, the Vikings persuaded cornerback Antoine Winfield to abandon his visit to the Jets and sign with Minnesota instead.Barr was the first draft pick by the Vikings under coach Mike Zimmer, whose 4-3 base defense has been a natural fit for the sleek, 6-foot-5, 255-pound Barr . The variety of assignments the scheme has put him in at the strong side spot have minimized pass-rushing opportunities, though, and limited his career total to 13½ sacks.He took some turns at defensive end last season and spoke often of a preference to run forward, not backward in coverage, raising the possibility he’d seek a new team with a 3-4 system. Though Zimmer has repeatedly praised Barr over the last five years, the coach bluntly stated in 2016 that Barr “has a tendency to coast a little bit.” Whether the reason was effort or scheme, the Vikings have had their share of games when Barr’s presence went largely unnoticed. When the Vikings gave new deals last summer to wide receiver Stefon Diggs and defensive end Danielle Hunter but didn’t reach an extension with Barr Josh Allen Jersey , the likelihood he would leave only increased.But Barr’s primary agent, Brian Murphy of the Southern California-based Athletes First firm, has built a strong relationship over recent years with Vikings general manager Rick Spielman and executive vice president for football operations Rob Brzezinski through negotiations on previous megadeals for defensive end Everson Griffen, tight end Kyle Rudolph and safety Harrison Smith. Murphy also represents cornerback Trae Waynes, who has entered the final year of his rookie contract.The Vikings entered the offseason with little cap space, after spending big on Cousins, Diggs and Hunter in 2018. They jettisoned two players, guard Mike Remmers and safety Andrew Sendejo , for more room. Another starter, defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson, reached an agreement with the Cleveland Browns. He’ll likely be replaced by Shamar Stephen, who according to multiple reports has agreed to return to the Vikings, who drafted him in the seventh round in 2014.