Pointing and shouting and turning was a too-common theme Sunday between Chargers defenders, pre-snap confusion that carried into the play, uncertainty on who to cover or whether help was supposed to come.

The Chargers ceded three touchdowns in a 24-19 loss in Cincinnati.

Cornerback Brandon Flowers was in coverage each time.

"I felt like I played good,” Flowers said. "We've just all got to be on the same page as a defense on the back end and know what we're doing, so we don't have guys running free and thinking we're playing this coverage or not playing this coverage.”

It’s a learning experience.

A Week 2 one at that.

Safety Jimmy Wilson said he felt he “left the guy out there to dry” on one post route for a score.

The team returns to the road Sunday in Minnesota.

"We've just got to go back in the meeting room," Flowers said. "I feel like most of all these touchdowns were communication errors. We've just got to be on the same page. Stop the stuff we can control."

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A Norv Week

Eric Weddle didn’t wait.

On the plane ride home from Cincinnati, he began scouting film of the Vikings from their Sunday win over the Lions .

“There’s 14 games left,” Weddle said Monday. “I’m not going to hang my head on one loss. We didn’t get it done. I didn’t play good enough. We all didn’t. We’ve all got to play better. It’s time to move forward.”

It starts with a look back.

Norv Turner is the Vikings’ offensive coordinator. He, of course, was the Chargers’ head coach from 2007 to 2012.

“It’s going to be pretty crazy going against Norv, being with him for so many years,” Weddle said. “It’ll be great to see him, but hopefully we beat him up pretty good. … I went against his offensive philosophy every day for six years. … Some things we know since I’ve been around him for so long. Will it carry over? We’ll see."

Sentimental hook-up

Philip Rivers has thrown touchdowns to 30 different receivers in his career. He’s thrown more to Antonio Gates (74) and Vincent Jackson (37) than any others. He appreciates them all.

He has a special place for Malcom Floyd , one of the nicest men Rivers (or anyone) has ever met.

Floyd’s first career touchdown reception was Rivers’ first career touchdown pass on Jan. 2, 2005. And Sunday, Rivers and Floyd made their 31st such connection.

Sunday’s score came on a 40-yard bomb, the 11th time Rivers and Floyd have connected on a scoring pass of 20 yards or longer. That’s more than any other receiver Rivers has connected with on such plays.

“When you mention it, I think, ‘Oh gosh, Malcom, how many more of those will there be?’ ” Rivers said, his voice turning soft. “I’m trying not to think about that.”

Floyd has announced the 2015 season will be his last.

Al(most)-Pro

On the highlight reel of takeaways that were almost made, Manti Te’o had two Sunday that would elicit “aaaaah” and then “arrrrrgh.”

In the second quarter, Te’o ran into Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton and appeared to force a fumble that was picked up by Jerry Attaochu and returned 36 yards for a touchdown. Referee Jeff Triplette overturned the play on review, saying Dalton’s arm was going forward in a throwing motion.

“I thought we had a touchdown,” Te’o said. “They called it an incompletion. So that’s what it was.’

He had only himself to impugn later in the game after he jumped in front of a Dalton pass at midfield for a would-be interception that clanged off the linebacker’s hands.

“Ooooh,” Te’o said with wide eyes. “I had that. I was inches away. I was in position to make the play, and I wish I could have made it. But I grow confident knowing I was in the right place and I was almost there.”

No regrets

Mike McCoy would do it again.

His passing offense struggled in the first half. Protection was a concern. Rather than call timeout, force the Bengals to punt, and attempt a two-minute drill with one timeout and less than a minute remaining, he chose to pack it in for halftime and make locker-room adjustments.

"I think every week it's going to be different," McCoy said. "You have a feeling on how your team is playing at a certain time in the game and the situation of the game, knowing (we'd get) the ball at the start of the second half."

The Chargers scored a touchdown to begin the half.

"It worked out the way I thought it would go," he said.

Big relief

D.J. Fluker feared the worst.

“I thought I broke it,” he said Monday. "The feeling came back a little later. Once I started moving my toes, I knew I'd be OK."

The Chargers right guard did not play Sunday due to an ankle injury suffered one week earlier. That left Chris Hairston , making his 16th NFL start but first at guard, to face disruptive tackle Geno Atkins .

Fluker has done cardio to stay active during his rehab.

He could return any time in the next two weeks.

Nuts 'n' Bolts

• Wide receiver Tyrell Williams, cut Saturday to create space for safety Adrian Phillips, cleared waivers Monday afternoon. The undrafted rookie from Western Oregon was signed to the practice squad, a source said.

• McCoy said there is "nothing major to report" regarding injuries from Sunday.

• Guard Johnnie Troutman hasn't practiced since an Aug. 13 forearm fracture. He told reporters Monday it may be another couple weeks until he's back; Week 3 was his previously stated target.

• Guard Craig Watts was waived from the roster Monday. He just finished serving a four-game suspension dating back to December for violating the league's performance-enhancing drug policy. The Chargers either had to make space for him on the 53-man roster or part ways.