Carolina Panthers

Philip Rivers is throwing interceptions at an alarming rate

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 2:32 p.m. ET

Fansided, Matt Verderame/Fansided

The San Diego Chargers will miss the playoffs for the third straight year. Part of the reason? Philip Rivers is playing terribly with too much pressure on him.

Philip Rivers is one of the best quarterbacks of his generation. After being a fourth-overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, Rivers has authored a plethora of quality seasons. Last year, Rivers was the lone bright spot in an injury-riddled 4-12 San Diego season, throwing for 4,792 yards and 29 touchdowns.

This season, things started out well on a personal note. The 35-year-old tossed five touchdowns against zero interceptions in his first three contests. Then, the wheels began to come off. Rivers has thrown 22 touchdowns over the last 10 games, but they came with a league-worst 17 interceptions.

While part of the problem is a leaky offensive line that has allowed 33 sacks, Rivers has to shoulder some blame. The Chargers are 5-8 instead of being in the playoff hunt due in large part to horrendous decision-making by their best player. Rivers threw four interceptions in the fourth quarter of a 31-24 loss to the Miami Dolphins back in Week 10. Three weeks later, Rivers tossed a pick-six into the waiting hands of Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David in a 28-21 defeat.

On Sunday, the Chargers fell 28-16 to the Carolina Panthers. Rivers was 21-of-39 for 236 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions against one of the league’s worst secondaries. The loss sealed San Diego’s fate, and leaves the following question open…

Is Rivers beginning to unravel due to age, a loss of patience and a dwindling chance at a championship?

Let’s look at two of Rivers interceptions, and dissect the problems.

Play #1

This is the first play of the second quarter. San Diego is trailing 10-0 and has a 2nd and 7 at its own 41-yard line. The Chargers come out in “11” personnel with two wide receivers on the left and Travis Benjamin isolated on the right. Carolina is playing a Cover 3 shell with man principles. It’s an easy read for Rivers.

On the play, Benjamin is running an in-cut while Tyrell Williams, the team’s leading receivers (wide left) is running a fly pattern.

At this point, we see Rivers under pressure. Right tackle Joe Barksdale is beaten clean off the edge by Kony Ealy, forcing Rivers off his spot. If he’s able to sit in the pocket and set his feet, the ball likely comes out to Benjamin, who is breaking wide open at midfield. Instead, Rivers gets flushed and rolls left.

Unfortunately for the veteran quarterback, his options to left are bad and worse. The slot receiver is blanketed and corner Daryl Worley is on top of Williams, who again, is running a fly pattern.

As you can see Benjamin couldn’t be more open at the 45-yard line. However, Rivers is loading up for Williams, who has no chance at this ball. Best case scenario? Incompletion or pass interference.

The result is worst-case. Rivers badly underthrows Williams, allowing Worley to adjust on the ball and make the easy interception, which he returns almost to midfield. While the offensive line didn’t hold up, Rivers has to eat this ball and put it in the stands. An incompletion makes it 3rd and 7, something very manageable against Carolina’s secondary.

Play #2

The Panthers are leading 26-16 in the fourth quarter with the Chargers facing a 3rd and 7 at the 29-yard line. San Diego is once more in 11 personnel with trips left and Williams isolated on the right side of the formation.

Carolina is feigning an all-out blitz, although linebacker Thomas Davis will come up the A-gap. The Panthers are in their nickel package, showcasing man principles. As for the safeties, it’s Cover 1 with a “robber” look underneath. This is a more complicated scheme than the first interception.

At the top of his drop, Rivers has a wide open receiver on the flat route from Dontrelle Inman (30-yard line). On the inside, Antonio Gates is covered by linebacker and former college safety Shaq Thompson, who dropped out of his blitz look on the snap. The other receivers are also well-covered, meaning the ball should be out to Inman.

This is the still of when Rivers releases the ball. Gates is blanketed – to say the least – by Thompson. Inman (arrowed) is absolutely wide open. Rivers decides to force the ball into Gates, essentially ending the competitive phase of this game.

The result is a Thompson interception, as the linebacker steps right in front of Gates, a soon-to-be Hall of Fame tight end.

Later in the game, Rivers would throw his third and final interception. It’s not included since the play came on 4th and 10, and Rivers was clearly desperate for the quick score. It wouldn’t have accurately portrayed his struggles.

San Diego will now come home to take on the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, trying to avoid a second straight losing season.