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As pleased as the Chargers are about the way that they played the last two weeks, players acknowledged Monday that their Week 9 contest at Giants Stadium will show them where they stand halfway through the schedule.

“I think it’s a measuring stick because of where we are,” running back LaDainian Tomlinson said.  “I think it’s a good measuring stick.  This is a team that’s been good for a long time so we’re going to see where we stand. It’s going to tell us a lot about ourselves.”

At 4-3, the Chargers are riding a two-game win streak following wins over Kansas City and Oakland.  Now they’ll prepare to travel cross country to face a New York Giants team that began the season with five-straight wins before dropping the last three games.

“It’s a tough place to go on the road in a game that I think will say a lot about us,” quarterback Philip Rivers said.  “We’ve put two (wins) together that many expected us to win as did we, but we’ve still had to go do it.  This one will be the toughest we’ve had in the last three weeks.” 

Despite losing their last three, the Giants rank fifth in the NFL in total offense and seventh in rushing offense.  On defense, they’ve allowed the third-fewest yards in the NFL and are third against the pass. 

Head Coach Norv Turner acknowledged the talent the Giants possess, and he believes Eli Manning and company will be extremely hungry following three straight losses.

“Our guys are going to go into New York expecting their best because I think that’s what we’re going to get from them,” Turner said.  “They’re a talented group of guys that have had a couple tough weeks and there’s no doubt in my mind what we’ve got to get ready for.  It’s going to be a real challenge for us.”
 
Turner said Monday that he likes the momentum the Chargers have picked up the last two weeks.  He cited a pass rush that has produced 10 sacks in the last two weeks while holding both Kansas City and Oakland under 100 yards net passing, an offense that continues to make big plays and an offensive line that continues to improve. 

“We are growing and we’re getting better,” Turner said.  “We’re getting some guys going.  We’ll have a great week of practice and we’re looking forward to going back and playing. The look on our guys’ faces before the game, the energy we have before the game, and there’s a sense of confidence in terms of where we’re at.  We’ve got a real challenge this week and we’ll go practice and prepare for it.”