SAN DIEGO _ June can make a football lover feel parched, but not so Steve Rivers.
At home in Decatur, Ala. this summer, the former high school football coach made sure of it. He cued up an NFL game played last December in Kansas City.
"He said that one's a favorite," Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers said in June, after his dad told him of his plan.
This week the NFL launches a new season, which means fresh challenges for Rivers starting Sunday against the Colts.
Rivers won't complain, though, if the game his dad savored serves as a preview.
Going a step further, Chargers teammate Travis Benjamin said he's a better player because of two clutch pass plays that night in the 29-28 victory at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs had beaten Rivers and Co. the previous nine games.
"It helped me, just knowing that I can be called upon to make the big plays, and make the tough catch," Benjamin said. "I'll just try to stay on my grind and continue to work hard. We needed that to win in Kansas City."
While the victory didn't lead to an AFC West title _ which oddsmakers favor the Chiefs to retain, for their fourth crown in a row _ performing well under duress can breed confidence and trust.
Setting that aside, it was football art.
With no margin for error, either on the field or the scoreboard, Rivers lofted a pass that was headed some 10 yards beyond Benjamin as the speedster streaked north with a taller defender near his inside hip.
It ranks among Rivers' best passes in a career spanning eight Pro Bowl berths and 14 seasons. Here, following, is a closer look at the play, with input from Rivers, his quarterbacks coach and Benjamin, plus two Rivers fans who attended the game _ one a baseball pro, the other a visitor from Ireland.
