The Chargers' two most recent home games have seen improved attendance at StubHub CenterGETTY IMAGES
The Chargers are 10-3 and just one game behind the Chiefs for the AFC's best record, yet despite that and as "many close games as they have won this season, they remain afterthoughts" in an L.A. market that includes the Rams and LeBron James, according to Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. TIMES. Chargers QB Philip Rivers said, "It’s gradual, we understand that." Hernandez notes in "almost any other city ... the Chargers already would be a huge deal." However, "some people" are starting to notice the Chargers' strong play, as the last two home games at StubHub Center "actually have felt like home games, with their fans clearly outnumbering the supporters of the opposition." This was "likely a function" of playing the Bengals and Cardinals, who "don’t have followings in Los Angeles that compare to the likes of the Raiders and Broncos" (L.A. TIMES, 12/10).
GETTING TO KNOW YOU: NBCSPORTS.com's Peter King writes he has "gotten into" watching the "Backstage: Chargers" all-access show on Spectrum Sportsnet and Facebook Watch. The program has "lots of sideline-wired stuff, and features about players off the field" (NBCSPORTS.com, 12/10).
