Chargers ... Mental Patients? Favre From It

"I'm concerned about Norv Turner and the mental toughness of San Diego."

-- Cris Carter, on ESPN's pregame show, "Monday Night Countdown"

Well, it's no longer necessary to hide all sharp instruments. The Chargers' mental health appears just fine now, after a 48-29 thrashing of the New York Jets on "Monday Night Football."

Faced with the prospect of starting the season 0-3, the Chargers were in a precarious position -- until the Jets landed in town. The hapless Jets proved to be the perfect remedy for what ailed the Bolts' psyche.

Jets quarterback Brett Favre, who's just a few weeks shy of his 39th birthday, looked like John McCain's older brother on this night. Favre was intercepted twice, and a couple of other passes that should have been sure interceptions were dropped by Charger defenders. 

But don't feel bad for Favre. The season is still young. If Favre has some better games down the road, perhaps the guy might finally get some media attention.

Backup Jets quarterback Kellen Clemens, mopping up in garbage time, also did his part to nurse back to health the self-esteem of the Chargers. Clemens lobbed an interception to Antonio Cromartie in the end zone in the game's final minute to put an exclamation point on this Chargers version of "Awakenings."

The tendency might be to say that the Jets looked like a poorly coached team. But that might not be totally accurate. We couldn't find any evidence that there was any coaching going on with the Jets. Every shot of coach Eric Mangini on the Jets sideline showed a guy with no emotion, providing no direction or leadership. The stoic, detached look might work if you're Bill Belichick and you have a roster full of veterans who know what to do. But when you're Eric Mangini and you have a roster with somewhat less talent, it might be worth a try to inspire the troops a little.

But they don't call him "Mangenius" for nothing. Mangenius actually pulled off the impossible, making Norv Turner look more animated.

If there was one area of concern for the Chargers in this one, it was their kick coverage unit. The Jets totaled 291 yards on kick returns. Definitely something to keep an eye on in the coming weeks for the Bolts.

But otherwise, it was a night of feel-good vibes all around for the Chargers, as they re-established themselves as Super Bowl contenders in the suddenly sucky AFC.

Considering the fragile emotional state this team was in, we wonder what the pregame mood was like in the Bolts' locker room. Somehow, we picture Philip Rivers doing his best Jack Nicholson: "Which one of you nuts has got any guts?"