"The Chargers would prefer Philip Rivers didn't challenge Dan Marino's NFL record for passing yards in a season.

Oh, they say they don't care how the victories come. And sure, OK, makes sense.

But the reality is that when they run they win. Or when they win they run.

"Both of those statements can be right," Rivers said. "If you don't turn it over and have a lead, you will run it more."

At 5-5, the Chargers have thrown 86 more passes in their losses and run 44 more times in their victories. Rivers has thrown for fewer than 300 yards in three victories and never more than 334 yards in a win this season. He's topped 400 yards in two losses and gone for at least 298 in four of them.

"That's great," Rivers said with a smile, amused by the onslaught of stats.

After throwing for a season-low 233 yards in Monday's victory over the Broncos, Rivers has 3,177 yards for the season and is on pace to finish less than one yard shy of Marino's 1984 mark of 5,084 yards.

Said Rivers: "I'll take 233 every week with that outcome."

Gates gives it a goTight end Antonio Gates practiced Thursday, but don't give thanks just yet.

He was clearly in pain, and there is no guarantee he will play against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.

His practicing for just the second time in six weeks is progress. He worked against defenders for the first time since prior to the Chargers' Oct. 31 game against the Tennessee Titans and did as much running and cutting as he had in a while."