SAN DIEGO – Quarterback Philip Rivers threw three touchdown passes and the San Diego Chargers crushed the New York Jets, 31-0, on Sunday.

Rivers completed 20 of 28 passes for 288 yards as he threw two touchdown passes to tight end Antonio Gates and another to running back Branden Oliver, who also scored on a 15-yard run.

New York quarterback Geno Smith was benched after one half and replaced by Michael Vick. The Jets did not cross midfield until late in the fourth quarter, when they were aided by a Chargers penalty. The Jets converted 1 of 12 third downs, were outgained 439-151 and committed 12 penalties for 94 yards.

Smith’s struggles were obvious in the first half after he completed four of 12 passes for 27 yards and an interception. He left with a passer rating of 7.6, but head coach Rex Ryan said after the game Smith would start next week.

Vick replaced Smith, the Jets’ second-round pick last year, for the second half. Vick completed nine of 20 passes for 47 yards and did little to spark the team. Overall, the Jets averaged 1.8 yards per completion.

In the final minute of the second quarter the Chargers surged ahead 21-0. Oliver, who at times looked like a clone of former San Diego running back Darren Sproles, went up the middle for his first NFL touchdown. It was the Chargers’ second running score since the opener, breaking a spell of 14 straight quarters without one.

The Chargers extended their lead to 14-0 thanks to a second-quarter Jets turnover.

One play after cornerback Phillips Adams intercepted Rivers in the end zone – Rivers’ first pick since the opener — the Jets gave the ball right back on a running Chris Johnson fumble, which was recovered by safety Jahleel Addae at the New York 20.

Rivers hit Gates for their second scoring connection, this one from 12 yards. It was their NFL-best 65th as a quarterback-tight end tandem.

Midway through the first quarter, Rivers clicked with Gates on a 4-yard touchdown pass. The two key plays in the 90-yard drive were two Malcom Floyd completions for 66 yards.

Floyd later left the game with a calf injury and didn’t return.

NOTES: The Jets had 12 penalties for 94 yards and their longest play from scrimmage was a 13-yard run by QB Michael Vick. … Chargers CB Jason Verrett, the team’s top pick, started in place of Shareece Wright (knee). It was Verrett’s first NFL start. … CB Brandon Flowers’ second-quarter interception was his team-high second and 18th of his career. … LB Manti Te’o missed his second straight game and remains out indefinitely with a foot injury. … Jets WR Greg Salas started for Eric Decker (hamstring). … The Jets had won two consecutive games in San Diego, including the 2010 AFC Division Game.