With their first win of the year, the San Diego Chargers can finally build towards a promising season. Brett Favre and the New York Jets may be heading in the opposite direction.

Philip Rivers stole the show with three touchdown passes on a beautiful Monday Night in southern California, as the Chargers defeated the Jets 48-29. Although these teams put up only one less point (77) than the Eagles and Cowboys (78) last Monday Night, this game felt over long before the final seconds expired.

After throwing an interception return for a touchdown only minutes in the first quarter, Rivers was calm and collected for the remainder of the game. Both he and LaDainian Tomlinson had stellar nights in hanging five touchdowns on the Jets defense. Antonio Cromartie added another six points for San Diego on a phenomenal interception return 12 seconds into the second quarter.

Favre and the Jets faced consistency issues on offense, turning the ball over four times while falling behind San Diego in the first half. Favre did finish with three touchdown passes, but could not manage a Jets comeback.

After two weeks of high-scoring games, Monday Night Football warrants a quote from ESPN’s Trey Wingo: “Monday Night Football is where defenses and special teams come to die.”

Here’s how the Monday-Nighters earned their marks in the fantasy world:

The U’s Primetime Players

Quarterbacks:

Philip Rivers, Chargers
After what looked like a nightmarish start, Rivers settled into his role and completely dominated the Jets defense. San Diego’s QB was 19-for-25 and passed for 250 yards and three touchdowns, with his only blemish being the pick that spotted New York seven points. More importantly: the Chargers punted the ball only once in 11 total drives. That’s offensive efficiency, football fans.
MNF Grade: A-

Brett Favre, Jets
The future hall-of-famer was anything but in what may have been the final Monday Night Football game of his career. Favre rallied the troops on several drives late in the game, but the Chargers had a huge lead and were playing prevent defense. The good: Favre completed 30-of-42 for 271 yards and three touchdowns. The bad: his two interceptions both led to touchdowns for San Diego.
MNF Grade: C+

Running backs:

LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers
Tomlinson touched the ball 29 times, despite the big toe injury, and amassed 87 total yards from scrimmage. It wasn’t his rushing numbers, but his 2 touchdowns, that boosted his fantasy value; both scores came on 2-yard runs. No fumbles, no drops, and played well despite the injury.
MNF Grade: B+

Thomas Jones, Jets
Jones was virtually an unknown on Monday Night Football: 10 carries for 37 yards; 2 catches for 17 yards. The only noteworthy stat was his fumble in the first quarter that took the wind out of New York’s sails; the turnover led to a Rivers touchdown pass to give the Chargers the lead for good.
MNF Grade: D+

Receivers:

Jerricho Cotchery/Laveranues Coles/Chansi Stuckey, Jets
Cotchery led the Jets with 10 catches for 76 yards, but failed to score. Coles snagged six passes for 75 yards and a touchdown from Favre. Stuckey also caught six balls, but for 42 yards and a touchdown. The offense had some life playing from behind, but the group overall was inconsistent.
MNF Grade: C+

Vincent Jackson/Chris Chambers, Chargers
The Chargers’ top two receivers combined to catch only four passes; Rivers hit eight different targets during the game. Jackson led the unit with 74 yards on three catches, and Chambers’ only catch was a 27-yard touchdown from Rivers. Not explosive on the night, but good enough to help in the victory.
MNF Grade: C

Tight Ends:

Antonio Gates, Chargers
Gates was one of three Chargers to catch a TD pass from Rivers. The 6-yard TD reception by Gates was the last of the first half and put the Chargers up 31-14. Gates had one other catch for 26 yards on the night.
MNF Grade: B-

Chris Baker, Jets
The Jets tight end caught 3 passes for 26 yards. Baker was not an integral part in the Jets’ offense despite playing from behind. Rookie tight end Dustin Keller did more damage in fantasy with 41 yards and a 13-yard touchdown strike in the fourth quarter.
MNF Grade: D+

Defense/Special Teams:

San Diego D/ST
Antonio Cromartie started the fireworks with a spectacular 52-yard interception return off Favre for a quick six points. He added nine tackles and another interception on his own, along with Eric Weddle’s interception and a forced fumble off Jones. The group collected three sacks and four turnovers in the victory, yet their kickoff return coverage was appalling and drops the grade.
MNF Grade: B

New York Jets D/ST
The Jets defense had a long night. Minus the interception return touchdown, Rivers lit up New York for 250 yards and three TDs and converted 9-of-13 third downs. The Jets allowed 41 points to the Chargers offense, and just could not get off the field. New York’s return game was productive, though, with 291 yards on nine kickoff returns.
MNF Grade: C-

Kickers:

Nate Kaeding, Chargers
The Chargers kicker was 6-for-6 on extra points and booted field goals from 36 and 49 yards. Twelve points added up to a good night for Kaeding.
MNF Grade: B+

Jay Feely, Jets
Feely made his only field goal from 32 yards and netted both extra points. He was called upon to perform three onside kicks, one of which was recovered by the Jets.
MNF Grade: B-

Join us next Monday night from the “Steel City”, when the division-leading Baltimore Ravens (2-0) take on the Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1) for sole possession of first place in the AFC North.