San Diego resident Philip Rivers did not play in the first preseason game of 2018 for the Chargers. The Pro Bowl quarterback did play in the second one.
I think football fans would be fine if he didn't play again until games count.
Rivers completed six of seven passes for 62 yards and led a touchdown drive in a 24-14 Bolts win over the Seahawks at a very un-packed StubHub Center on Saturday night. Attendance was announced at 23,211. The eyeball test has the number much lower.
But those who were there saw one of the best QBs in the game looking sharp. Rivers played two offensive possessions. The first one went 70 yards in nine plays and ended with a 2-yard Melvin Gordon touchdown run.
The second drive was short-circuited by a pair of penalties and ended with a punt. The Chargers also got a 72-yard punt return touchdown from Justin (J.J.) Jones and a leaping 25-yard touchdown catch by wide receiver Mike Williams.
Seattle did not have former San Diego State running back Rashaad Penny, who is expected to miss the rest of the exhibition season with a broken finger. Chris Carson, who is in a competition with Penny for the starting job, lost a fumble at the Chargers 1-yard-line.
