(Image Source: Bolt Beat)

BY TOM MARTIN

ANCHOR MEGAN MURPHY

How far has Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers fallen?

With a San Diego win in sight Monday night in Kansas City, Rivers may have hit rock bottom.

“Philip Rivers lost the ball! He lost the ball pulling away from the center. Let’s see who’s got it ... It is Chiefs ball! Unbelievable!”

You can guess the outcome: Chiefs take the ball, win the game in overtime and Rivers gets the blame.

If you ask ESPN’s Trent Dilfer, that’s the only way to see it.

“Ten years from now, Philip Rivers will still be chasing this demon. This is so catostrophic from the quarterback because what you’re telling yourself -- Steve and I have lived this -- you’re in that situation, all you’re saying is ‘Ride the center, ride the center.’ I’ve learned this since I was twelve years old ... The only way you lose that game is by doing that and that’s something you’ve been working on since you were twelve years old. It’s inexplicable. It hurts.”

Rivers’ season hasn’t been smooth. The Pro Bowl quarterback leads the league in interceptions, and as the mistakes mount, Fox Sports’ Reid Forgrave can’t help but notice -- Rivers reminds him of another turnover-prone QB:

“[Rivers] has actually become Tony Romo … This year, when the pressure's been on to reach his full potential as an elite NFL quarterback, Rivers has been a study in regression … The division game on the big Monday night stage was especially Romo-esque. ”

So Rivers is reeling -- but why? As Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette writes, all signs point to injury:

“Some coaches and scouts whose teams have played the Chargers wonder if Rivers’ ACL injury from January 2008 is having a cumulative effect on his throwing … If Rivers is having trouble pushing off on his right knee, it could affect his throwing pace and accuracy.”

As the San Diego Union-Tribune’s Kevin Acee notes, maybe it’s not Rivers that’s the problem. The quarterback has lost some key weapons this season.

“It might be giving Darren Sproles a little too much credit, but it bears pointing out that while the Chargers struggle, Sproles has contributed greatly to a rejuvenated New Orleans Saints offense … Add to that subtraction the absence for much of the season of tight end Antonio Gates … Is it any wonder Rivers is pressing?”

Rivers and the Chargers insist they’re moving on -- and they’ll have to. San Diego plays undefeated Green Bay this week.