[Sportscapper]

San Diego (1-0 SU and ATS) at Chicago (0-1 SU and ATS)

New Chargers quarterback Phillip Rivers looks to duplicate his impressive performance from last week’s win over Green Bay when he takes San Diego to the Windy City to battle the Bears.

Rivers played the entire first half against the Packers and was nearly flawless, going 15-for-21 for 169 yards. He led the Chargers to two touchdowns in his four series of work, including a TD pass, as San Diego rolled to a 17-3 win.

The former North Carolina State star gets the nod in tonight’s contest and will again play most, if not all, of the first half, along with the rest of the Chargers’ healthy starters. Rookie Charlie Whitehurst will lead the offense in the third quarter, with veteran A.J. Feeley playing the fourth.

Among the injured starters sitting out for San Diego will be WR Eric Parker and LB Donnie Edwards, while WR Keenan McCardell is questionable. Also, No. 3 wideout Vincent Jackson, who caught Rivers’ touchdown pass last week, is out. Finally, star RB LaDainian Tomlinson, who has just 14 carries in five preseasons, once again won’t play tonight.

Brian Griese clearly outplayed Rex Grossman in Chicago’s 28-14 loss to the 49ers last Friday, going 6-for-7 for 134 yards and two TDs, while Grossman misfired on 11 of his 14 passes, finishing with just 47 yards. Still, Grossman remains the starter, and he’ll play the entire first half tonight, along with the rest of the first-stringers. Griese is slated to play the third quarter and Kyle Orton the fourth.

The Bears are thin in the backfield, as top RBs Cedric Benson and Thomas are sidelined with injuries. Also, starting WR Mushin Muhammad missed practices earlier this week with an injury.

The Bears are a woeful 3-7 SU and ATS at home and 2-7-1 ATS as a favorite in preseason action since 2001.

San Diego is 3-5 on the road in exhibition action since coach Marty Schottenheimer took over in 2002 (4-4 ATS). The Bolts are also 3-4 ATS as an underdog during that stretch.

Both teams are 2-0 SU and ATS in Week 2 of the preseason over the past two summers.

ATS ADVANTAGE: SAN DIEGO