2004 - The Draft.
In 2004, the Chargers selected Eli Manning with the first pick in the NFL Draft, despite the quarterback’s earlier insistence that he did not want to play for San Diego, and would even sit out the season instead. About an hour later, the Chargers traded Manning to the Giants, since General Manager Ernie Accorsi really wanted him above all else, even at the cost of draft picks and the probable loss of Kerry Collins, who was on the way to breaking many passing records.
Eli Manning looks to be the real deal to Ernie Accorsi, and provides a chance to somehow undo the football wrong that was done to him early in his general manager career. That was in 1983 when John Elway was cut loose from his charge by Robert Irsay, the owner of the Baltimore Colts.

Eli's Coming - Eli's coming for better or worse.
The Chargers got some measure of quiet revenge, going 12-4 last season on their own without this Eli Manning, also noticing that with him as a starter, the struggling Giants logged a lousy 1-6 record. Was that enough? Not nearly, because now, up close and personal, they certainly don't want Manning to be the quarterback who nudges them onto their 3rd loss in a row. That would almost guarantee them a worse season record than last year, and who knows, maybe even a slide back to former mediocrity.
They would hope instead to flip that in the opposite direction and spoil Manning's 3 game winning streak, which began on his last game of the 2004 season. Yes, this is a big game for the Chargers, and one that won't be forgotten by the fans that attend, or the national audience watching on ESPN on Sunday night.

What kind of team is San Diego?
Before last season, the Chargers had not made the playoffs since 1995. They were 4-12 in 2003 and setting their sites on getting Eli Manning in the draft. It was their eighth consecutive year without a winning record or playoff appearance, sustaining double-digit loss totals in five of their past seven seasons. Their defense was ranked next to last in points allowed.
Somehow they turned it around last year tying a franchise 12-4 record.

Quarterbacks.
In his first game this year, Eli Manning completed just 10 passes for 172 yards, with 2 interceptions. Last week, Eli completed 13-of-24 passes for 165 yards and no interceptions. The Giants won both games. Chargers quarterback Drew Brees had a great 2004 season, throwing 27 touchdown passes against only 7 interceptions and went on to the Pro Bowl.
This year Brees has struggled. He has completed only 57 percent of his passes and has thrown 3 interceptions and only 2 touchdowns. The Charger offensive line is suspect since neither the running or passing game is on track. They are the same guys, but have a new line coach.

Charger Offense - ground.
Running back LaDainian Tomlinson, who has rushed for at least 1,236 yards in each of his 4 pro seasons, has only 38 carries for 124 yards in his first two games, and hasn't yet caught a pass. He gained only 12 yards on his last 11 carries against Denver last week and was limited to a total of just 52 yards on 19 carries. Like Tiki Barber, he is effective out of the backfield as either a runner or receiver. The Chargers didn't work him into the passing game, as he went a second straight week without a reception. This is from a running back who has averaged nearly 73 catches in his first four years. Can he be held down another game?

Charger Offense - air.
Wide receiver Keenan McCardell has a team-best 13 catches for two scores and is the only Charger other than Tomlinson with a touchdown. Like Amani Toomer had, Keenan has his own streak going. The last time he did not have a catch was way back on Dec. 20, 1998. Tight end Antonio Gate, undrafted out of Kent State in 2003, last year set an NFL record for tight ends with 13 touchdown catches. It might be wise for the Chargers to try and establish the pass against the Giants first instead of the run. Why? Read on.

Giants Defense.
The Giants, who were 28th in the league in rushing defense last season (134.9 ypg) . have done an amazing job so far, They rank 2nd in the league in rushing yards allowed per game (51.5) and yards per carry (2.4). However, they have let opposing teams own the air to the tune of yielding 691 passing yards (31st against the pass). Three receivers already have gone over 100 yards against them. Some of that yardage might be excused for playing soft, protecting big leads while winning both games, but five different Giants have intercepted passes. If they hadn't would the results have been the same?

Michael Strahan.
Strahan missed practice on Friday because of a sore back. Coach Tom Coughlin said that it was the same thing as last week, and so Strahan was added to the injury list as questionable for this game. Strahan missed practice time last week because of back spasms, but played the whole game against the Saints and had 5 tackles and 1 sack. Just like last time, Strahan is hanging tough, "I'm fine," he said. "If I don't play on Sunday, then be concerned."

Notes.
Chargers offense scored 53 touchdowns last season, 17 more than the NFL average of 36.
Chargers red zone touchdown percentage of 69.8 led the league last season.

Chargers 2 losses to Dallas and Denver were by a total of just 7 points.
Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson has scored a rushing touchdown in an NFL-record 14 straight games.

Chargers Head Coach Marty Schottenheimer has the most wins among active NFL coaches with 177 regular-season wins.
Chargers wide receiver Keenan McCardell played 6 seasons for Tom Coughlin in Jacksonville.

Chargers OT Roman Oben played his first four seasons with the Giants.
Giants quarterbacks coach Kevin Gilbride was the Chargers' head coach in 1997 and part of 1998, going 6-16 before getting fired.

Giants Tiki Barber has caught a pass in 119 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the NFL.

The last time the Giants started 3-0 was 1994.

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