THEY MEET AGAIN

This time it counts.

Both top NFL draft pick Peyton Manning and No. 2 selection Ryan Leaf seek to correct their rookie season problems when their teams meet today.

Indianapolis’ Manning leads the AFC with 922 yards passing, but also leads the league with 11 interceptions. His quarterback rating of 52.1 is 28th among the league’s 30 starters.

Leaf brings the San Diego Chargers to the RCA Dome with the lowest passing rating in the league, 32.1.

The teams met earlier this year in an exhibition game, with Leaf’s Chargers winning 33-3. Neither quarterback played the entire game.

Both of the high-profile rookies have tried to avoid comparisons.

“Peyton doesn’t go against me, and I certainly don’t go against him,” Leaf said. “The defenses, we’ve both found out, are what we’re both competing against. . . .It’s what you do against that defense.”

Adds Manning, who has remained positive and calm despite his four losses:

“Those comparisons are always going to be there. It’s never really been a problem for either of us, certainly not for me. Both of us are in the same boat, trying to learn from our experiences and help our teams become better football teams.”

But, in recent weeks, Leaf had a series of incidents with the media, including a profanity-laced locker room outburst at a reporter.

Leaf, after beginning his career with two victories, exploded the day after his first NFL loss.

In that game, the rookie set a San Diego record for passing futility, going 1-for-15 for 4 yards in a 23-7 loss at Kansas City. He fumbled three times and was intercepted twice.

Things didn’t get much better last week, when he threw four interceptions before getting benched in San Diego’s 34-16 loss to the New York Giants.

He accepts the blame for both losses and issued apologies for the off-field incidents.

“I turned the ball over nine times in the last two weeks. You can’t turn the ball over in this league and expect to win,” Leaf said.

“It really isn’t a team problem. It lies on my shoulders, the way I performed the last two weeks. If I don’t turn the ball over, we have a chance to win both ballgames.

“I’ve got to turn my game around, or we’ve got to find somebody else.”

Indianapolis got the top pick in the draft by compiling a league-worst 3-13 record last year. San Diego traded up to ensure it would get Leaf following a 4-12 season.

“We’re taking our lumps. But I think it’s better to take them now, and experience them now, then two or three years down the road,” Leaf said. “I’m really not trying to be the leader of this team. I’m a rookie. I’m still learning.”

Chargers coach Kevin Gilbride and Colts coach Jim Mora are both determined to stay with their young quarterbacks despite the early problems.

“We’ve got a young quarterback. He’s made a few mistakes. In the last two games, those mistakes have been too much for us to overcome,” Gilbride said.

Mora said much the same in describing Manning.

“He lacks experience. Because of that lack of experience, he’s made mistakes and he’s hurting us,” Mora said. “Still, I feel good about the progress he’s made and generally speaking ... it’s been good. I have no doubt we’re making the right move to keep him on the field.”

Gilbride admits he’s concerned Leaf might pressure himself this week after being pulled last Sunday and having Manning on the opposite sideline.

“That is probably a very significant concern,” Gilbride said. “It comes down to the emotion of the game, too.

Now, you’ve just added another important consideration. You’re going up against a guy that you were compared to in the last year of your collegiate career and you were drafted 1-2.

“There’s no question it just adds to the mix. It’s just another point you have to deal with.”

Gilbride was asked if his concern over Leaf’s mental state for the game could be considered great.

“I don’t think there’s any question. Anyone who says it doesn’t matter I think is not being completely truthful,” said Gilbride, adding that he has talked with Leaf about the situation.

San Diego is expected to test an Indianapolis defense that ranks last in the league against the run by handing the ball to Natrone Means, who is averaging 5.1 yards per carry and is second in the AFC with 365 yards.

Indianapolis is hoping this week’s signing of Craig “Ironhead” Heywood will help clear the way for Marshall Faulk, who was held to 61 yards on 27 carries by New Orleans.