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The San Diego Chargers are feeling positive about Antonio Gates' chances of playing against the Washington Redskins. Gates practiced on Friday after injuring his foot last week in the win over the Buffalo Bills.

Gates was questionable, but appeared to be fluid during practice.

"It was basically the same as yesterday - it got a little bit better," Gates said. "I think it's still going to be a game-time decision for us."

After sitting out midweek practice, Gates returned on Thursday and Friday.

"I tested it out and basically I'm going to wait until and see how it feels," said Gates, the team's top receiver with 56 catches for 784 yards and seven touchdowns. "We'll just decide from there to see if it's sore or I have any pain.

Coach Marty Schottenheimer said Friday that it would be a game-time decision for them. "He did some work out here today," Schottenheimer said. "It was positive."

Gates no longer needs to wear the walking boot his foot has been encased in since he was hurt in the third quarter of Sunday's game. Neither is he limping any more.

For those of you football betting, San Diego are -3 on the spreads, giving up three points to the well organised Redskins.

Wade Phillips' San Diego run defense is ranked No. 3 in the NFL. It's young, it's good with linebackers Merriman, Phillips (Shaun) and defensive ends Castillo and Olshansky.

But Wade Phillips wants to be an NFL head coach and isn't shy in discussing his desire. This off-season, he hopes the market for head coaches could be considerably bigger - after there were no takers last time around.

"I've been a successful head coach, and not many guys can say that," said Phillips, who went 47-36 in stints with the Bills, Broncos and Falcons.

The Chargers' previous team was 4-12 and out of the playoffs. But last year's squad flipped to 12-4 and advanced to the play-offs for the first time in nine years.

"How many guys can come in and in their first year go to the playoffs?" Phillips asked. "I've done it six times as a head coach and a defensive coordinator. I feel like I've got something to offer."

"I think because you get fired, sometimes it carries a stigma that you didn't do good enough and I don't think that was the case," said Phillips. "They don't realize you were 29-19 (with the Bills) which was one of the top records in the NFL.

The San Diego Chargers should be among the AFC's elite - but it hasn't really happened for them - they lost games - close games which are always harder games to lose. They wear on a team psychologically. They have lost four games this season by a combined total of twelve points.

Standing at the 50% (4-4) mark heading into November, would once have been more than satisfactory for the Chargers. But more is expected now.

Schottenheimer has now done what good coaches do - get the players to focus on the future and what might be in store instead of reflecting on the missed opportunities of the past.

"It all lies in front of us," Schottenheimer said. "If we take care of business in front of us we're going to be OK."

The Chargers will enter Giants Stadium to face the Jets a little weary after a five-game stretch. The New York Jets knocked them out of the playoffs last season and also beat them in the regular-season - both at Qualcomm Stadium. If the Chargers are to keep pace in the wild card race - then victory is really a must in this game.