If the San Diego Chargers are going to win their fifth consecutive AFC West title, they'll have to start playing better against last-place teams from 2009.
After a season-opening loss to division rival Kansas City, the Chargers return home to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, one of four games in the season's first six weeks against teams who finished at the bottom of their divisions a year ago.
The Chargers (0-1) have won five consecutive home games, but they've lost their home opener each of the past two seasons. They are trying to avoid their second 0-2 start in three years after being upset by the Chiefs 21-14 on Monday night.
First-round draft pick Ryan Mathews didn't do much in his debut replacing LaDainian Tomlinson as San Diego's starting running back. Mathews gained 75 yards on 19 carries, failed to find the end zone and also lost a fumble. It won't get any easier against a Jacksonville defense that held the Broncos to 89 yards on the ground.
The Jaguars might be a bit more concerned with stopping the pass this week after allowing 274 yards and a touchdown to Kyle Orton. Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers threw for 298 yards and two touchdowns on 22-of-39 passing against the Chiefs, spreading the ball around to eight different receivers with Vincent Jackson holding out and serving a suspension.
Legedu Naanee picked up the most slack in Jackson's absence, catching five passes for a career-high 110 yards, including a 59-yard touchdown.
The Jaguars (1-0) already have one win against an AFC West opponent after holding off the Broncos for a 17-14 win in last week's opener.
Jaguars quarterback David Garrard was efficient against the Broncos, completing 16 of 21 passes for 171 yards and three touchdowns, which matched Peyton Manning, Eli Manning and Tom Brady for the most in the league in Week 1. Two of those touchdowns went to tight end Marcedes Lewis.
Garrard threw two touchdowns against the Chargers when the teams last met in 2007, as Jacksonville built a 17-3 lead and held on to win 24-17.
Jacksonville also got 98 yards on 23 carries from Maurice Jones-Drew, who needs one rushing touchdown to reach 50 for his career, and a team-high six receptions and 89 yards from Mike Thomas.
The Chargers' defense played well enough Monday, holding the Chiefs to 197 total yards - the fourth-lowest total in the league - but San Diego gave up 160 yards on five punt returns Monday, including a 94-yard touchdown by Chiefs rookie Dexter McCluster.
Former Charger Kassim Osgood, who was selected to three Pro Bowls as a special teams standout in seven seasons with San Diego, will be on the other sideline Sunday. Osgood caught a touchdown pass in his Jaguars debut, his first touchdown catch since 2004.