JETS BENCH DE WILKERSON IN DISCIPLINARY MOVE

QB has Chargers in position to take lead in AFC West.

how effective Rivers is, in a cumulative sense, when you take into account fac- tors such as what down it is and the distance needed for a first down.

Rivers is second in DVOA, a stat that measures the COSTA MESA, CALIF. — Los same value, but on a perAngeles Chargers quarterplay basis, trailing only New back Philip Rivers likes to England’s Tom Brady. think of himself as “old While Rivers is likely on school.” the outside of the MVP race,

He has had to be per- the injury to Philadelphia’s suaded to spend more time Carson Wentz paired with stretching. He cannot be the Chargers’ late-season talked out of playing come run could open the door Sunday. He gains yards with for the Chargers veteran his arm, not his feet. quarterback to be consid-

But some “new school” ered for an award he has statistics could be the back- never won. bone to an argument that “I think individual recogwould’ve been unthinkable nition, things come when even as recent as a month people have success. If that ago — Rivers could be the comes with us having a lot NFL’s most valuable player. of success, certainly, you’d

According to Football Out- be grateful,” Rivers said. siders, Rivers is the NFL’s “We’ve got a good thing top quarterback when using going. Hopefully, we can the DYAR metric, which keep it going.” measures Defense-adjusted Rivers has passed for 3,611 Yards Above Replacement. yards and 23 touchdowns In simple terms, it measures this season, completing 62.8 percent of his passes. The traditional numbers are good, but probably not good enough to earn MVP considerations.

When you look at Rivers since the Chargers started winning, however, it’s easier to see why, as coach Anthony Lynn said, the veteran has “played as good as any QB in the NFL.”

During the Chargers’ past four games, all victories, he has thrown for 1,348 yards and eight touchdowns with no interceptions while com- pleting nearly 70 percent of his passes.

Since throwing three interceptions in the Chargers’ loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 3, Rivers has had only three passes inter- cepted in 350-plus attempts.

“He’s on fire right now,” Kansas City coach Andy Reid said this week.

The Chargers play at the Chiefs tonight, and the win- ner will claim the top spot in the AFC West with two games remaining. Friday’s Games

(At) Rangers 4, Kings 2: Rick Nash scored the tiebreaking goal with 3:27 remaining to lead New York. The win was New York’s 11th in the past 13 at home (11-1-1). The Kings lost their second straight after an eight-game winning streak.

Hurricanes 5, (at) Sabres 4 (OT): Jaccob Slavin scored 2:15 into overtime as Carolina won its second in a row to close out a season-long six-game trip. Jack Eichel had his first career hat trick and an assist for the Sabres.

(At) Red Wings 3, Maple Leafs 1: Trevor Daley scored a tiebreaking, short-handed goal midway through the second period for Detroit. Jimmy Howard had 25 saves for the Red Wings, who had won only one of their previous 11 games. The Maple Leafs lost their third straight, matching a season high.

(At) Devils 5, Stars 2: Brian Boyle scored twice for New Jersey. Dallas had its two-game win streak snapped.

Sharks at Canucks: Late

NHL notes

Lightning: Forward Ryan Callahan has an upper-body injury and is out indefinitely. The Lightning said Callahan will be re-evaluated in 3-4 weeks. Arizona’s Oliver EkmanLarsson fell and landed on Callahan’s right arm along the boards Thursday. Callahan’s right arm was in a sling after the game. Callahan, 32, has a goal and five assists in 29 games.

Today’s

Sunday’s Games