Welcome back to "The Redskinny," a weekly preview of the local professional football team's upcoming game and opponent. Every Thursday, you can find any and all information* about the Redskins' next opponent in this space.
(*Sometimes, it may be some or most information.)
On to Week 9.
Week 9 opponent: San Diego Chargers (4-3)
Game information: Sunday, Nov. 3 -- FedEx Field -- 1 p.m. -- CBS
Last week: While the Redskins were giving up 38 unanswered points to the Broncos in their 45-21 loss, the Chargers were on their bye week. In San Diego's last game, it defeated hapless Jacksonville by a 24-6 score.
What's the skinny?: The Redskins may not have to face Peyton Manning Sunday, but they do have to contend with a rejuvenated Philip Rivers, who is returning to form after two subpar seasons. Rivers leads all NFL quarterbacks with a 73.9 completion percentage and ranks second with a 111.1 rating, significant raises from his 64.3 career completion percentage and 95.6 rating, respectively.
Sports
Only three teams average more yards per game than San Diego's 402.9, and with a balanced attack featuring Ryan Mathews, who has back-to-back 100-yard rushing performances, the always dangerous Antonio Gates (497 receiving yards) and dual threat Danny Woodhead (172 rushing yards, 314 receiving yards, four total touchdowns), the Redskins and their porous defense (32.7 points allowed per game, second-worst) will have their hands full once again.
Statistic of the Week: Courtesy of ESPN, Robert Griffin III has only completed 26.2 percent of his pass attempts of 15 yards downfield or more this season.
More from STATS LLC:
Last year, Griffin went 15 for 39 with seven touchdowns, one pick and a 115.1 rating on passes that traveled at least 21 yards through the air. He hasn't come close to being that effective in 2013, going 5 for 24 on such throws with two scores and three INTs for a 43.1 rating.
What The 'Skins Are Saying:
"To be honest, man, you’ve just got to go low now, man. You’ve got to end people’s careers, you know? You’ve got to tear people’s ACLs and mess up people’s knees now. You can’t hit them high no more. You’ve just got to go low."
- Brandon Meriweather, who is just awful, on his new "tackling" philosophy
What The Chargers Are Saying:
"He's been tremendous. I always said when your quarterback is the hardest-working player on your team, everything else falls into place. He's certainly one of those. He's a leader for us. His passion for football is off the charts."
- General Manager Tom Telesco on Rivers
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