New York @ San Diego preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 8, 2009 ) San Diego 21, N.Y. Giants 20

The New York Giants and San Diego Chargers have seen their fortunes significantly altered over the last few weeks. The Giants vie for their sixth win in seven outings on Sunday when they visit the Chargers, who have dropped four of their last five. San Diego committed three turnovers in last week's 17-10 setback to Cincinnati to fall one game behind Baltimore for the coveted sixth seed in the AFC.

Playoff talk was understandably mute after New York began its season with six consecutive losses, but a 24-17 victory over Washington put the Giants within two games of NFC East leaders Dallas (7-5) and Philadelphia (7-5). While vying for playoff spots remains the primary subplot, Eli Manning's return to San Diego - a team the two-time Super Bowl MVP famously spurned in the 2004 draft - also bears mentioning. Philip Rivers was taken three spots after Manning was selected with the top pick, and a draft-day trade came to fruition nearly 45 minutes later.

TV: 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox. LINE: Chargers -3. O/U: 47.

ABOUT THE GIANTS (5-7): Justin Tuck collected a career-best four sacks versus the Redskins to earn NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. Tuck's increased workload came in the absence of fellow defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, who is in line to miss his second straight game with a shoulder injury. New York has experienced production from its 26th-ranked running game as Andre Brown scored twice last week and has reeled in at least three receptions in each of the last three contests.

ABOUT THE CHARGERS (5-7): Rookie wideout Keenan Allen has posted consecutive 100-yard contests and leads the team with 843 receiving yards and highlight San Diego's fourth-ranked passing game. Keeping Rivers clean against the Giants' tenacious pass rush is the top priority for the Chargers, who have yielded just 22 sacks this season. Diminutive Danny Woodhead leads all running backs with 61 receptions and the former New England Patriots player has even scored a touchdown versus the Giants in Super Bowl XLVI.

EXTRA POINTS

1. While San Diego veteran TE Antonio Gates often receives the fanfare, backup Ladarius Green has seen his snaps increase and scored in consecutive games.

2. After a blistering start, New York WR Victor Cruz has failed to score in his last eight contests.

3. Rivers does his best work in December, posting a 26-6 mark in the final month of the regular season.

PREDICTION: Chargers 24, Giants 20