Rivers seeks cure for his ‘sick’ play

After throwing three interceptions in Sunday’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, including picks on two of his first four pass attempts, maybe it wasn’t a surprise that Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers didn’t have much to say during his commute after the game.

“It was a quiet ride home Sunday, at least for the first 30 minutes,” Rivers said.

With a few days to reflect on a performance he regarded among the worst in his 12 seasons as a starter, Rivers believes if the offense can just find ways to score touchdowns, starting with Sunday’s home game against the Philadelphia Eagles, people will be soon talking about the Chargers and a remarkable turnaround.

“I’m sick about the way I’ve played, I’m sick that we haven’t scored enough points, but I’m super fired up about the way our defense is playing and continuing to hold teams,” Rivers said.”

COWBOYS >> The NFL is asking a federal appeals court to dismiss Ezekiel Elliott’s entire lawsuit in its bid to lift an injunction that blocked the star Dallas Cowboys running back’s six-game suspension over a domestic violence case in Ohio.

The league wrote in a filing to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans that the players’ union case filed on behalf of Elliott had resulted in “hopelessly doomed proceedings.”

PATRIOTS >> To say that Tom Brady was unhappy about what transpired at the end of New England’s 2013 loss at Carolina would be an huge understatement.

Cam Newton had just led the Panthers on an 83yard touchdown drive to put his team in front 2420 with 59 seconds to play. But Brady came right back, and marched the Patriots to the Carolina 18 with 3 seconds left.

Brady dropped back on the game’s final play and lofted a pass into the end zone in the direction of Rob Gronkowski as time expired. Carolina linebacker Luke Kuechly was covering the tight end, and never turned toward the ball. But he reached out and bear-hugged Gronkowski taking him out of the play.

A flag was thrown for pass interference. But after a brief discussion among officials, it was picked up. The ball was deemed uncatchable by Gronkowski.

“There is no foul on the play,” referee Clete Blakeman announced to cheers from Panthers fans and stunned looks from Patriots. “The game is over.”

Brady took off his helmet and chased after officials as they walked off the field. Cameras picked up the quarterback yelling an expletive as he pleaded his case to deaf ears.

“I wasn’t very positive. I don’t think I said very nice things to him,” Brady recalled. “I wish we’d have gotten that call. It would have been a fun next play, I’ll tell you that.”

Sunday will mark the first meeting between the teams since that debated finish.

TITANS >> Marcus Mariota knows he needs to do a little something in appreciation of his offensive line, which did not allow a single hit on him last week.

“Man, I’ve got to find something for sure,” Mariota said. “Those guys have done an unbelievable job.”