San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers did not lead his team to a win Sunday in the AFC Championship.

But the often outspoken QB did win his teammates' respect for playing the entire game despite limping noticeably, reportedly from a strained medial collateral ligament and a partially torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

Rivers completed 19 of 37 passes for 211 yards. He threw two interceptions and was unable to get the Chargers into the end zone in three red-zone opportunities. Still, his efforts were appreciated.

"I can't say enough about Philip Rivers and what he did," said San Diego coach Norv Turner. "You know, you watch a guy -- and he's done this a couple of timesd this year -- but you watch a guy get in at 5:30 in the morning and start his treatment and rehab and he's in there at 6:30 at night.

"He did everything he could do to give himself a chance to play. You can't ask for more than he gave. I couldn't have gotten him off (the field) if I wanted to," said Turner.

Receiver Chris Chambers, who hauled in seven passes for 90 yards, was impressed with Rivers, who already had left knee problems before suffering injuries to his right knee during last week's playoff victory over the Colts.

"I didn't think he'd make the whole game," said Chambers. "He has shown tremendous toughness the whole year. Hats off to him. I can't wait to play a full season when he is healthy and see what he can really do."

"There are a lot of guys who have been playing nicked up all year," added wide receiver Vincent Jackson. "But everyone knows Philip's knees are in pretty bad shape. He gave a really gutsy performance. They just out-executed us today."

-- STEVEN KRASNER

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