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Healthy Chargers face brutal 5 games

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Five games remain and not a cupcake in the bunch.

The Chargers’ upcoming opponents -- in order, the Ravens (7-4), Patriots (9-2), Broncos (8-3), 49ers (7-4) and Chiefs (7-4) -- boast a combined winning percentage of 69 percent.

Teams’ capabilities can fluctuate from week to week, but Dan Fouts got it right in August, it seems, when he termed the Chargers’ closing stretch “brutal” and said health would be vital at season’s end.

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There’s good news there. The Chargers, refreshed by the late bye week, are at their healthiest in several weeks.

San Diego’s optimism starts with Philip Rivers, who looked healthy against the Rams last Sunday. His 101.4 passer rating is fifth in the NFL and trails only Peyton Manning (101.4, third) among quarterbacks left on the schedule. Behind Rivers are Tom Brady (101.0, sixth), Alex Smith (92.7, 14th), Joe Flacco (92.6, 15th) and Colin Kaepernick (92.1, 17th).

The Chargers have other strengths going into this stretch. Here’s an update on several of their top performers:

Safety Eric Weddle is having an All-Pro season. A defensive quarterback who can fill several roles, he can figure out the offenses to come. Cornerback Brandon Flowers is among the NFL’s better pass defenders and a sure tackler. He’s comfortable either in the slot or outside. With end Corey Liuget drawing double teams and edge rusher Dwight Freeney still treated as a threat, playmaking opportunities have grown for teammates. Edge-setter Jarret Johnson looks recovered from a back ailment that nagged him in September.

King Dunlap, the left tackle, outpointed one of the NFL’s better pass-rushers in Robert Quinn last Sunday. Fresher than most players in Week 13, Ryan Mathews showed instant speed against the Rams and has rushed for 175 yards in two games since returning from a knee sprain. Antonio Gates still commands special attention from defenses, especially in the red zone. Chargers pass-catchers led by sure-handed Malcom Floyd are catching the ball; only the Browns have a lower drop rate.

Among the five opponents’ kickers, only the Patriots Stephen Gostkowski is more accurate than Nick Novak, who’s 18 for 19 on three-pointers (94.7). The Mike Scifres-led punt team is better than any of the five but Kansas City’s at pinning opponents inside the 20.

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