Turner seems to be feeling the heat, and it can’t be much fun right now working for Smith, the no-nonsense GM who rarely smiles even during good times.

The day after the Denver loss, Turner bristled when asked how much the defense has been affected by the loss of Merriman, a three-time Pro Bowler, following season-ending knee surgery.

“That’s an impossible question to answer,” Turner said. “I’m not going to answer your question every week. Shawne’s not going to be with us. To get into that discussion is a waste of your time and my time.”

Merriman, by the way, led the NFL with 39 1/2 sacks the last three seasons.

The Chargers have only two sacks this year, one by end Igor Olshanksy in the opener and a team sack last week on Jay Cutler’s fumble that was ruled an incomplete pass.

Although San Diego’s Tim Dobbins came up with the ball, referee Ed Hochuli blew his whistle when the ball came out of Cutler’s hand, ruling it an incomplete pass. A review showed it should have been a fumble. Instant replay rules, however, don’t allow the opponent to gain possession in situations where the whistle has blown for an incompletion.

Cutler threw a tying TD pass to Eddie Royal, then hit the rookie for the go-ahead 2-point conversion.

The Chargers’ defense hasn’t lived up to its preseason hype, allowing 65 points and 874 yards in two games.

Smith didn’t return calls seeking comment about the defense.

No one can blame Rivers for the winless start. He’s thrown six TD passes and has a 122.5 rating.

“It’s not like we’re out there and we just look lost and don’t know what’s going on and we haven’t been in the game,” he said. “It’s amazing how close 0-2 and 2-0 is. I don’t think we can be any closer to 2-0, but you’re on the other end of it. It’s no consolation, but I think that can certainly add to the outlook that we have, that we can rebound.”

MORE FROM NFL

NFL Section Front

Thanksgiving games are just turkeys   Live: Follow Texans vs. Titans on Monday Night Football   ‘Rogue tweeter’ hacks account of Jets’ Clowney PFT: Batch out — Steelers start to make calls PFT: Roethlisberger ‘appears well enough’ to play Rosenthal: Steelers’ playoff future slipping away PFT: Belichick says Saints are best team in football PFT: Lions coach takes issue with Mangini’s comments   PFT: Bills contact Cowher, who says no ... for now PFT: Rams’ Bulger out 3-6 weeks with fractured knee NFL Section Front   Add NFL headlines to your news reader: