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Next-man-up attitude pays off for Chargers

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SAN DIEGO — The wins just keep coming.

Ditto for the injuries.

The Chargers extended their win streak to four, disposing of the Jets 31-0 on Sunday.

But Monday delivered another blow to a team wondering how many it can absorb.

Center Doug Legursky was the latest Charger to be lost for the season.

Make that the latest center.

Legursky was filling in for Rich Ohrnberger (back) after he was filling in for Nick Hardwick (neck).

That’s a lot of filling in.

Next up is a rookie, Chris Watt, as the Chargers depth chart is picked at again.

What’s clear is the Chargers, no matter the personnel, are picking on opponents.

The shutout was the first of the NFL season and the way the Chargers are playing, it might not be their last.

That’s said with a caveat: the Jets are in big trouble.

The offensive line is being stretched thin.

The running back position is in shambles.

The linebacker unit has some issues.

And a starting cornerback is down.

But it’s the same “no excuses” from coach Mike McCoy.

The Chargers will play the healthiest players each week and if the system is as strong as McCoy’s believes, that could be enough.

The Chargers have enjoyed an enviable stretch against the Jets, Jaguars and Bills. Maybe their depleted ranks comes into play when the competition improves.

Then again, with the way quarterback Philip Rivers is playing, maybe the Chargers are as good as they’ve looked of late.

What’s hard to peek at is the injury list.

NOTES, QUOTES

–Blanking the Jets wasn’t lost on veteran outside linebacker Dwight Freeney. “It’s so hard to get a shutout,” Freeney said. It was the Chargers first one since 2012. “The secondary played great and (defensive coordinator) John Pagano executed the game plan and called great calls.”

–Running back Braden Oliver opened eyes with his two touchdowns and a combined 182 yards. But he knows if he wants to play he has to protect No. 17. “I know he wants a guy bad there that he can trust,” Oliver said. “Pass protection is a big thing. He’s always going to need a guy to pick blitzes and he always reminds me, also.”

–Rookie offensive lineman Chris Watt is growing up fast. The third-round pick from Notre Dame saw action at right guard and center on Sunday. And it looks like he’ll be at center heading forward with Doug Legursky injured. “I just have to get in there and step-up,” Watt said. “I’ve worked on it in practice all week. I worked on it in the preseason.”

REPORT CARD VS. JETS

PASSING OFFENSE: A — Philip Rivers continues to present a clinic at the position with his pinpoint passing and clear decisions. For the fourth straight game he posted a 120 passer rater. He had three touchdowns passes and 288 yards with a pick. His array of receivers all contributed; he did feel some pressure from the Jets in getting sacked three times. But this part of the Chargers’ game continues to be its strength.

RUSHING OFFENSE: A — Like rain in San Diego, what a rare sight a running game was. Braden Oliver comes off the bench after Donald Brown goes down to put on a show as a rusher and receiver. With a long of 52, Oliver wiggled his hips to 114 rushing yards and a score. The run-blocking was better, but Oliver didn’t need much to get through what was advertised as the NFL’s top run defense. A big relief here for the Chargers that they showed they could run the ball.

PASS DEFENSE: A — Braden Flowers had a pick and Chargers pass-rushers pestered every quarterback the Jets were sending out there. The Jets completed 12 of 31 passes for 74 yards as both Geno Smith and Michael Vick were chewed up by the pass defense. Chargers add two sacks and five quarterback hits.

RUSH DEFENSE: A — Chris Ivory and Chris Johnson took turns taking cracks at the run defense but not much was there. Inside linebacker Donald Butler turned up his game and Kavell Conner looked to be solid in replacing Manti Te’o. The Chargers kept Jets under 100 yards.

SPECIAL TEAMS: A — Coverage units were solid and Nick Novak was true on his only field-goal attempt. Mike Scifres had a 60-yard effort and one that he would want back. The return game needs to develop, although Keenan Allen brought a punt back 10 yards.

COACHING: A — Mike McCoy is proving his no-nonsense approach. It’s really the system in all three phases he is teaching, so it doesn’t matter the player pulling the levers. McCoy’s players have bought in, so despite all the new faces they are expected to keep the team rolling. McCoy is letting Rivers do his thing by calling into preferable plays and letting John Pagano work the defense with more options than has been of late. Good work by the entire staff.

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Buccaneers admit mistake, boot Aguayo

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Source: Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk

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Source: Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk

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Broncos holding their breath on Derek Wolfe

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Source: Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk

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