losed. In my opinion, the cap is set up to level the playing fie

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Philip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers are competing for their playoff lives with two games to go, slim as those chances might be.Surprisingly, the San Francisco 49ers find themselves playing only to finish on a strong note — not for another deep post-season run they had become so used to in the first three years under embattled coach Jim Harbaugh.It will be a little strange, indeed, for San Francisco with nothing at stake Saturday night on its home field.Not that Rivers expects Harbaughs team to back down one bit at this stage despite the uncomfortable circumstances and constant, swirling questions about Harbaughs future with one season remaining on his $25 million, five-year contract.This is a team we respect a lot. Theyve been to three championship games and theres lots of reasons why maybe this year didnt turn out, Rivers said. Its a late game in December with one week to go. Two teams are in different circumstances, but both have a lot of prideful guys and guys who are going to give everything. It will be a playoff-type intensity type of game.The Chargers (8-6) are in a closing stretch that included a win at Baltimore and home losses to New England and Denver. Theyve gone from controlling their own destiny in the wild-card race to needing to win at San Francisco and at Kansas City, plus to get some help.San Francisco (7-7) has its first three-game losing streak during Harbaughs tenure, with two of those coming at the hands of the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks in an 18-day span.Now, the Niners are playing for a winning season.Theres a lot at stake. Thats the way we approach it, Harbaugh said.Here are some other things to watch for Saturday at Levis Stadium:BANGED-UP CHARGERS: Rivers sat out practice Wednesday, apparently to rest chest and back injuries. He said he anticipates starting Saturday night.He would be down one of his favourite options, Keenan Allen, who was placed on injured reserve Tuesday with a broken right collarbone. In addition, inside linebacker Donald Butler went on IR on Monday with a dislocated left elbow.Defensive tackle Corey Liuget said the Chargers need to learn from the losses and move on fast.We always know we can play with the best of them, but in order to be the best, to be considered one of the top three to five teams in the NFL, youve got to beat the best and we didnt prove that the last two weeks, he said.KAEPERNICK PUSHES ON: Despite the disappointment this year, Colin Kaepernick would like to give San Francisco any possible momentum to take into the off-season.Everybody thought these 49ers would be playing well into January. His subpar season has been key in the results.I think thats what everyones expectation was, including ours, Kaepernick said. You dont play this game for any other reason than to try to win a Super Bowl. And its disappointing that were not going to be able to accomplish that this year, but we have to keep moving forward.WILL GORE GO?: Midweek, 49ers running back Frank Gore declared himself symptom-free from a concussion suffered last Sunday at Seattle and Harbaugh expects him to play. In what could be his final two weeks with the 49ers, Gore needs 196 yards rushing for his fourth consecutive 1,000-yard season and eighth in his 10 NFL seasons.CHARGERS OFFENSE: The Chargers scored only one offensive touchdown in each of their past two games.San Diego could be without running back Ryan Mathews for a second straight game due to an ankle injury. Without their running game, Rivers is more vulnerable.You definitely want to come out and play your best ball, wide receiver Eddie Royal said. You want to make a statement and win those games, especially at home. That didnt happen, but it didnt take away from the type of team and type of players we know we have.San Diegos defence has played well lately, but the offence has dragged down the team.If you play red-area defence the way our defence was playing the last couple of games we should win these games, coach Mike McCoy said. But its a team game.NO MORE MCDONALD: The 49ers released defensive lineman Ray McDonald on Wednesday amid a sexual assault investigation by San Jose police only a month after the Santa Clara County district attorneys office decided not to file charges against him in a domestic violence case.His dismissal leaves a void on what has been one of the NFLs best front seven units in recent years.What I can tell you is I was extremely disappointed, as all of us were, to hear about the latest allegations, general manager Trent Baalke said.___AP Sports Writer Bernie Wilson in San Diego contributed to this report.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL Cheap Royals Jerseys . The trade deadline is Monday, Mar. 2 at 3pm et/Noon pt. TRADES COMPLETED SINCE OCT. 1, 2014: Feb. 15, 2015 Toronto Maple Leafs acquire: F Olli Jokinen, F Brendan Leipsic, 1st Round Pick (2015) Nashville Predators acquire: D Cody Franson, F Mike Santorelli Feb. Kansas City Royals Pro Shop . -- Mississippis Andrew Ritter said his game-winning, 41-yard field goal felt good off his foot. https://www.cheaproyals.com/ . The game marks the rare occasion when two homegrown running backs, Jon Cornish of the Calgary Stampeders and Andrew Harris of the B.C. Lions, will start in the West Divisions battle for a Grey Cup berth. Stitched Royals Jerseys . Former San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds made his longshot request of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco. A three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit upheld Bonds conviction in September. Kansas City Royals Store . Go to turbozone.ca to see more of his epic work and you can follow him on twitter (@Turbo_Zone). Gaurav Shastri - A tribute to the amazing fan base who stand outside during games at "Jurassic Park" and an unbelievable shot of Paul Pierce fearing a Raptor.FIVE QUICK NBA THOUGHTS 1. KYLE LOWRY (Raptors): This is great news for Raps fans. He was in a nice spot with demand from other teams and he cashed in quite well. Bottom line, market value sets the price point and its the cost of doing business. Hes the heart and soul of their team and was an important guy to keep, mission accomplished. This is an important point to consider - the fact that he makes more money doesnt mean hes going to be an even better player than he was last year. Its a tough thing for players who sign big deals; they feel they need to live up to the money and contract. Realistically, if he can provide them what he did last season on a consistent basis and stay healthy the next three to four years - where do I sign up? Good get even if the money is a tad bit high but again its all about right place and right time for Lowry and for the Raptors. Its a deal that makes both good basketball and organizational sense. I love the addition of Patrick Patterson as a restricted free agent to the mix as well. Hes a good young player whose best days lie ahead for him. His perimeter shooting, defence, rebounding and overall toughness are a good piece for this group. Obviously, he ended up being for the Raps what Andrea Bargnani was supposed to be yet at a much more reasonable price. Good deal. Hopefully Greivis Vasquez gets done soon as well. Fingers crossed. Off to a nice start though. Masai Ujiris surely has planned his work and is working his plan. 2. BEN GORDON (Magic): What a Country! I cant believe he got a two-year deal, even if whole money amount isnt guaranteed. Im sure if former Detroit Pistons president, Joe Dumars is walking on a beach this summer thinking about the moves that cost him his job; this guy and Charlie Villaneuvas deals are right at the top of the list. He gets another chance to resuscitate his career with Magic but Im skeptical of this one. 3. SHAUN LIVINGSTON (Warriors): Im happy for him. Hes battled back from major injury in his career and hes not the player he once was in his early Clippers days, but he has reinvented himself annd thats a testament to his work ethic and character.ddddddddddddHes a dependable pro and plays the game hard and right. Hell be a nice mature addition to Coach Steve Kerrs locker room. 4 LeBRON JAMES (Heat): Pat Rileys has to be sweating a bit here. So far no luck attracting the other pieces to compliment the King and hes evaluating his options as he should. He is legitimate by the contract he and the heat negotiated in good faith. Who knows how it will all work out with him and even a guy like Carmelo Anthony. Bottom line, guys want to get paid at the highest level as well as the mid and lower tier players. Your sales pitch as a team beyond winning is still how much cap space do you have and what percentage of it am I getting? 5. NO STATE INCOME TAX: You hear this all the time about states like Texas and Florida, that their free agent pitches have a built in competitive advantage. Heres my question; in cap-centric leagues like the NBA, NHL and NFL, I wonder why this loophole wouldnt be closed. In my opinion, the cap is set up to level the playing field and teams in states that have a distinct advantage with the net income equation have the upper hand. Not sure if this has ever been considered but my thought is based upon this advantage - why dont the leagues set the cap based upon what the money means on the back end in net income per team, so its equal. In 98 per cent of the cases youre dealing with players that are in the highest taxable tax bracket in their state or Country, so why not do the research and base the cap number (which is equal) to the after tax value in each market and even the cap that way. Again, Im not sure if its ever been discussed or if it even makes any sense, Im just thinking out loud. Its probably too complicated an issue to work on but for the life of me I cant tell you why those teams in tax friendly states gain a major advantage. Its an issue for minds much greater than mine (not saying much there!) to figure out. Probably a wasted thought but thats what Im here for! Have a GREAT weekend! ' ' '