Turner defends Rivers despite mounting mistakes

SAN DIEGO (AP) - In the wake of another come-from-ahead loss, coach Norv Turner brushed aside any notion that the San Diego Chargers would consider sitting mistake-prone quarterback Philip Rivers.

Turner, who has limited running back Ryan Mathews and receiver Robert Meachem after they made crucial mistakes, says Rivers gave the Chargers a chance to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.

The Chargers lost, though, in large part because Rivers threw a pass straight to cornerback Leonard Johnson, who returned it 83 yards to give Tampa Bay a 10-point lead in a game it would win 31-24.

Rivers has committed 15 turnovers this season and 40 in the last 25 games.

San Diego (4-5) is two games behind Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos in the AFC West. The Chargers visit Denver on Sunday, and a loss would seriously damage their playoff chances. San Diego has missed the playoffs the last two seasons.

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