Chargers vs. 49ers 2014: Battle for California hinges on Philip Rivers’ health

The San Francisco 49ers were eliminated from the playoffs last week via their loss to the division rival Seattle Seahawks. While that defeat puts the future of embattled head coach Jim Harbaugh into further doubt, his team should get up for a challenge from their Southern California neighbors the San Diego Chargers.

San Diego 2014 campaign has been the story of two teams. There's the dynamo that ripped through the AFC through the first third of the season. There's also the version that dropped five of their last eight including a shutout in Miami. Injuries all across the offense have plagued the team, especially at center where the team has trotted out five different players. The one stable piece has been quarterback Philip Rivers. His strong play has kept the team alive, albeit barely, in the AFC wildcard race. However, Rivers is battling through chest and back injuries that could potentially keep him on the sidelines come game day.

While the Chargers' season has been confusing, the 49ers has been downright disappointing. After three years of conference championship appearances, San Francisco will miss the playoffs for the first time since Mike Singletary was roaming the sidelines. Quarterback Colin Kaepernick, recipient of a massive extension in the offseason, has seen his play regress to the point where unnamed NFC execs have reportedly declared Derek Carr the better long-term signal caller. Because of the team's poor performance this year, it could make changes at head coach and quarterback in the offseason.

Rivers is in the midst of one of his finest seasons. He has an over 2:1 touchdown to interception ratio and has competed 67.6 percent of his passes. If he cannot go, the Chargers will turn to journeyman Kellen Clemens. Clemens has attempted only three passes this season, but has a career completion percentage of 54.4. He has also tossed more interceptions (20) than touchdowns (15). Since returning from injury, tailback Ryan Mathews has run the ball efficiently. He has averaged 4 yards or more in three of his last four games while scoring twice.

As for San Francisco, their quarterback has endured the worst season of his NFL career. With two games left to play Kaepernick has already set a new career high for interceptions (10) and a personal worst for yards per attempt as a starter (7.13). The 49ers have also seen running back Frank Gore decline. The 31 year old currently averages below 4 yards per attempt, the lowest mark of his career. His three touchdowns is also his lowest since his injury shortened 2010 campaign.

Corey Liuget - A first-round pick of the Chargers in 2011, Liuget leads the team with 3.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss despite playing as an interior defensive lineman. He's also tied for the team lead in forced fumbles with two. Where he truly excels is in rush support. Offenses tend to work away from Liuget when they run the ball. His strong play in this season has set him up well for 2015, the final year of his rookie contract.

Anquan Boldin - The 49ers' top receiver is also its oldest. Boldin, now 34, won Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2003 after recording 101 catches for 1,377 yards and eight touchdowns. He has registered five 1,000-yard seasons in the time since. Boldin needs just 80 receiving yards over the final two weeks of the season to reach that mark again.