The Chargers avoided a disastrous 0-3 start, sending Brett Favre out of town with a 48-29 ass-handing that lands the Bolts at second place in the division.

Philip Rivers continued to roll with a career-high tying three touchdowns. The guy looks mellow in the pocket and money with his passing game. With what’s-his-name riding the couch for New England and Indiana Manning looking feverishly timid, Rivers can make a claim as the elite signal caller in the AFC.

The rest of the offense is showing up, too. LT found the endzone (finally) scoring his first two touchdowns of the season. Chris Chambers and Antonio Gates each hauled in a TD as well.

The defensive foibles looked like a thing of the past as Antonio Cromartie had a pick six, and easily could have reigned in a few more errant Favre passes. Tack on three sacks and now this San Diego team is locked in and starting to resemble that juggernaut they were built up to be in the off season.

While there are still a few things that need to be worked out, this win was a leap in the right direction. The defense is beginning to gel in a post-Merriman era and is picking up speed.

Chargers fans that had their hand hovering over the panic button, please take one step back.

Not to take anything away from the Jets, but I don’t think it was a massive test of the Chargers fortitude at this point. It was a moralizing win that was in dire need, especially with the Broncos off to a hot start.

San Diego needs to build off this and go right back to work against Oakland. Can’t get cocky, can’t get over confident. The team is still in catch-up mode, and I’m sure Lane Kiffin would like nothing more than a job saving win against the Chargers.