Will the real Giants please stand up? The Chargers likely are asking themselves the same question since both teams have lost to the three toughest opponents on their respective schedules. San Diego’s defeats have come to Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Denver. The stakes are high for the Giants in this version of “To Tell the Truth” because a fourth consecutive loss would put a significant strain on their mental toughness going into their bye week. A victory guarantees the Giants will be no more than one loss out of first place when Atlanta arrives Nov. 22.

The Giants have preached accountability this week. It would be a good time to begin executing again because “Giants football” – as the coaches and players like to call it – is a style that should provide substantial dividends in this matchup with the Chargers. Here are the three key battles to watch:

1. Giants RB Brandon Jacobs vs. Chargers defensive line. The wait ends this week. Jacobs ought to have no problem putting up his first 100-yard game of the season. He’s run the ball with authority over the past three weeks but hasn’t been able to get enough carries to make a difference because the Giants have been playing uphill. Offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride will be able to accomplish two things by feeding Jacobs – first, keeping the ball on the ground should lessen the chances of Eli Manning throwing an interception, and second, the Chargers have the 27th-ranked rushing defense (132 avg.) in the NFL. San Diego, which runs a 3-4 and often mimics the Cowboys’ scheme, may be down to veteran NT Ian Scott (re-signed last month) this week because starter Jamal Williams is on IR and backup Ogemdi Nwagbuo is nursing a sprained ankle. Can you see Jacobs’ eyes lighting up yet? And how about this – opponents are rushing for 5.5 yards per carry when running outside of LDE Jacques Cesaire (6-2, 295). A good push from RT Kareem McKenzie (groin) and TE Kevin Boss (ankle) is all that’s required for Jacobs to break a few off-tackle plays for big yardage. Ahmad Bradshaw’s probably going to jumping up and down on the sideline, begging to get into the game.

2. Chargers QB Philip Rivers vs. Giants secondary. Are the Giants’ defensive backs stuck in The Twilight Zone or getting physical in man-to-man coverage, which would be the smart way to line up, given the Giants’ coverage issues downfield. The Chargers have a vertical passing game akin to the Saints – both teams throw a substantial amount of their passes to the deep perimeter (16 percent) – and San Diego has four targets averaging at least 13 yards per catch. WR Vincent Jackson (37 catches for 664 yards and 5 TDs) is seeking his third straight 100-yard game. TE Antonio Gates (14.1 avg.) is as much of a vertical threat as many receivers – the Giants’ safeties must not lose track of him. SS Michael Johnson, who plays nickel LB, may get the primary assignment. Perhaps the biggest difference between Rivers and the Saints’ Drew Brees (a former Charger) is that Rivers holds onto the ball longer. The Chargers are much like the pass-oriented Cardinals in that San Diego’s rushing attack (75 avg.) is ranked 31st in the league. Their inability to run the ball (3.1 yards per carry) has prompted the Chargers to throw nearly 50 percent of the time on first down, regardless of field position – which means watch for short tosses to RB Darren Sproles when San Diego is deep in its own territory. Not even a healthy LB Michael Boley (and he still hasn’t ruled out playing) is a good matchup on Sproles, who ranks fourth in the NFL with 308 yards after the catch – and he’s done it on only 20 receptions, in their sub packages.

3. Sproles vs. Giants coverage teams. There’s a reason the Chargers designated the diminutive Sproles as their franchise player last year – the guy can single-handedly change a game within a heartbeat. This year alone, he’s taken back four of his 30 kickoff returns (25.4 avg.) at least 40 yards and has a 77-yard TD among his 11 punt returns (12.5 avg.). It’s interesting that he’s got six fair catches on 17 punt return opportunities, which means he can be convinced not to return the ball, given the proper circumstances. P Jeff Feagles’ ball placement will have to be perfect. The Giants’ coverage teams have been sporadic – they miss too many tackles - and PK Lawrence Tynes’ kickoffs inconsistent.

PREDICTION: Giants 27, Chargers 20
PREDICTION RECORD TO DATE: 6-2