The problem: That's San Diego's totals for its first two games.

The offense that led the league in scoring last season and ranked fourth in total yards is sputtering like a car that's been through one too many Nor'easters.

A low-scoring season-opening victory over Chicago was followed by a 38-14 loss to New England last night at Gillette Stadium – a game in which the Chargers gained just 201 yards, fewer than any game last year.

Sure, the Chargers have played two of the league's better defenses, but it seemed fair to expect more than 14 points in each of the first two games from a team that scored more than 28 in seven games last season.

“We aren't playing with the crispness or the continuity that we will in time,” coach Norv Turner said. “I think some of that is us and some of that is who we are playing.”

Last night seemed to be a combination of good plays by New England and poor plays by the Chargers, particularly in the first half, when the Chargers went scoreless for the second straight week.

San Diego's first play was an interception, but that didn't cost the club any points.

The other turnovers were far more devastating. The first came with New England leading 14-0 and the Chargers at the Patriots 34.

On first down, tight end Brandon Manumaleuna was beaten by Patriots linebacker Rosevelt Colvin, who forced a Rivers fumble that teammate Vince Wilfork recovered.

That resulted in a New England field goal.

Then, after an exchange of punts, the Chargers again advanced inside the New England 40, but on third-and-1, Rivers went back to pass and was intercepted by Adalius Thomas, who returned it 65 yards for a back-breaking touchdown.

“I probably should have gone to the other side,” said Rivers, who was 19-of-30 for 179 yards with two touchdowns and the two interceptions.

“I thought I could get it up and away from him and then he makes a play and scores.

“All I talk about, what I've always lived by personally, is no turnovers and take care of the football.

“I turned it over too many times tonight.”

Rivers did lead a pair of impressive touchdown drives in the second half, but when a turnover gave the Chargers the ball at the New England 31 with the score 31-14, the offense stalled again.

Rivers was sacked on consecutive plays, threw an incomplete screen pass on third down and the Chargers, facing fourth-and-30, were forced to punt.

“They are a good defense,” said Rivers, who has a passer rating of 73.7 through two games (it was 92.0 last season).

“To pick one thing that disrupted anything we were doing, I don't think I can do that.”

It doesn't help that the Chargers have been unable to run the ball this season, gaining just 129 yards. LaDainian Tomlinson averaged 113 by himself last season, but he has just 68 in two games (43 last night) and is gaining 1.9 yards per carry.

“We couldn't get anything going. It happens,” Tomlinson said. “It's one game. It's a good thing it's the second game and not later on in the season.

“The adjustment period is happening right now. Once we get it rolling, we'll be OK.”

Said Rivers: “It's a humbling game. We thought we were going to come in here and win and play well.

“And we did just the opposite. Just a good old-fashioned whipping we took.

“The great thing about it is we've got 14 more to go – we have to get home and get over this one in a hurry.”

Jay Posner: (619) 293-1834; jay.posner@uniontrib.com