Chargers avoid familiar early-season slump

Antonio Gates #85 of the San Diego Chargers runs after the reception against the Minnesota Vikings during their season opener on September 11, 2011 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. (Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

Since the Broncos play tomorrow, and we love the NFL, we’re keeping tabs on how the other teams in the AFC West fared today. (Kansas City recap).

For a minute, it looked like more of the same from the San Diego Chargers. Down 7-0 following Percy Harvin‘s 103-yard opening kickoff return for a touchdown, the Chargers appeared to be in trouble. Special team woes were back, the annual early-season slump was rearing its ugly head, and you know more than a few of the fans in attendance were echoing sentiments on Twitter: “Fire Norv Turner.”

It wouldn’t last. The Chargers defense rallied and harassed Minnesota Vikings QB Donovan McNabb, who threw for only 39 yards, while fullback Mike Tolbert scored three touchdowns to lift San Diego 24-17 over Minnesota in Week One.

The Chargers didn’t come out of the game without incident, however — their injury numbers quickly began to mount. They lost kicker Nate Kaeding (knee) during Harvin’s return — punter Mike Scifres (impressively) handled kickoff and field goal duties the rest of the game. DE Luis Castillo (knee) was carted off, as well as Mr. Three Touchdowns Mike Tolbert (leg) himself.

So, the winner of tomorrow night’s opening week finale between the Broncos and Raiders won’t have sole possession of the AFC West lead. That would have been neat in a dumb kind of way. . . . Let’s see how well the Chargers keep their early season slump at bay as they travel to New England next week.