Statistics never tell the full story. A great example is San Diego's running game. The stats say the Chargers are 27th in rushing yards per game (88.0) and last in rushing yards per carry (2.8). But if you watch a Chargers game, you'll see a team that looks a lot more balanced than numbers suggest.

Chargers coach Mike McCoy has stayed committed to the run by slamming Donald Brown, Ryan Mathews, Danny Woodhead and Branden Oliver into the line of scrimmage enough times that defenses can't focus entirely on quarterback Philip Rivers.

And now Oliver, an undrafted rookie out of Buffalo, is emerging as a dual threat whose build, style and jersey number (43) look an awful lot like former Charger and current Eagle Darren Sproles.

In last week's 31-0 rout of the Jets, Oliver ran for 114 yards and a 6.0-yard average while catching four passes for 68 yards. He also had a rushing touchdown, a receiving touchdown, a 52-yard run and a 50-yard catch.

"I knew 43 was Darren Sproles' number, but I didn't think of it like, 'I'm trying to be like Sproles,' " Oliver told U-T San Diego in training camp. "That's the perception that people are getting. I'm just trying to be me. … I'm like 15 pounds heavier, physical."

Oliver appears to be just the latest example of a running back who rises up despite being overlooked in the NFL draft.

"We probably missed on him because we probably should have just drafted him," Chargers General Manager Tom Telesco told NFL.com.

THIRD-AND-2

Three observations

• Russell Wilson is immensely talented, but his rushing performance last Monday was awful coaching by the Redskins. To leave Wilson's legs that unaccounted for was inexcusable.

• When your front four is as good as Detroit's, you should have the top-ranked defense.

• For two decades, the Lions had a kicker (Jason Hanson) and nothing. Now, they have everything and no kicker. Typical.

Two predictions

• Vikings fans used to feeling good the Monday after a Lions home game won't be disappointed.

• Despite their team's rising status, Browns fans used to feeling bad the Monday after any game against Pittsburgh will feel like they always do.

MARK CRAIG