SAN DIEGO - The Chargers secondary has a battle cry that's working extremely well - "two we're in, four we win."

The slogan has to do with the number of takeaways per game. Instituted by secondary coach Bill Bradley, the saying relates to the theory that a team should be in any game in which it forces two turnovers and will usually win any game in which it has four.

The motto has been backed up nicely on game days as the Chargers are accumulating interceptions and takeaways at a better clip than any other NFL team.

With two games remaining in the regular season, the Chargers lead in interceptions (27) and takeaways (41), and are tied for first with New England for the NFL's best turnover margin (plus 19).

"It's a feather in your cap, but the main thing we can't lose sight of is we're trying to win football games," Bradley said Friday. "Leading the league in takeaways and interceptions gives us a chance to win more football games."

No other team comes close to the Chargers' proficiency in forcing turnovers. The 27 interceptions are seven more than second-place Seattle and Tennessee. And the 41 takeaways are eight better than second-place Detroit.

Victories have come as the takeaways increased. The Chargers had a minus-2 takeaway ratio when they were 1-3 after four games of the season. They have since been plus-21 while winning eight of 10 games.

"We take pride in trying to (create) turnovers and giving our offense the short side of the field," cornerback Antonio Cromartie said. "If not, our defense will try to score the ball also.

"Leading the NFL in turnover ratio, we just take pride in it, and that's our biggest thing."

Cromartie's NFL-best 10 interceptions are among the biggest reasons for the mark. Strong safety Clinton Hart has chipped in with a career-high four interceptions.

The 27 total interceptions this season are more than the combined total (26) of the last two seasons. Hart said Bradley and assistant secondary coach Kevin Ross have placed a bigger emphasis this season on intercepting passes.

Perhaps that shouldn't be a surprise since both coaches were former Pro Bowl players. Bradley led the NFL in interceptions twice with Philadelphia, picking off 11 passes in 1971 and nine in 1972. Ross had 38 interceptions during a 14-year career spent mostly with Kansas City.

"It's a mentality that the coaches have to instill in the players, and that's what Bill Bradley does," Hart said. "He's done a great job of emphasizing that if the ball is in the air, it's ours. We've got to get our hands on those balls, and he talks to us about that every day.

"And Kevin Ross has done a great job with the corners, telling them how to play leverage and how to study. What we have now are two guys who played the game well and understand the game. Having that type of experience around you definitely helps out."

The Chargers have forced four or more turnovers in a game five times this season. Twice they have forced six - last Sunday against Detroit and in the nationally televised victory over Indianapolis on Nov. 11.

The takeaways against the Colts were all interceptions of star quarterback Peyton Manning.

"(Leading in takeaways is) very important because it displays how well the secondary has been playing," outside linebacker Shawne Merriman said. "Also, with how we're playing up front because the quarterbacks don't have a lot of time to throw the ball. Regardless of whether we get sacks or not, they don't have a lot of time to throw the ball. I can't even count how many hurries we had on Peyton Manning with him throwing the six interceptions."

Defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell couldn't suppress his patented hearty laugh when the subject was presented to him earlier this week. After all, Cottrell was on the receiving end of some criticism early in the season when the defense struggled as players adjusted to his style of coaching.

Now Cottrell's unit has the chance to be the first in Chargers' history to lead the NFL in interceptions or takeaways.

"It would be one accomplishment where the players would be proud of it, and I would be too," Cottrell said. "Our execution has to come to a point where we're leading the league in two categories like that, which goes to show we've been playing pretty darn good defense."

Players and coaches say the success is a team deal. The secondary didn't miss a beat as Cromartie supplanted Drayton Florence in the starting lineup and rookie Eric Weddle began cutting into starting free safety Marlon McCree's playing time.

All season long, members of the secondary never lost sight of the fact that interceptions and fumble recoveries often lead to victories.

"We're talking about getting as many takeaways as possible, giving our offense as many chances as possible to score," cornerback Quentin Jammer said. "That's our mentality, and that's what it will continue to be.

"But to us, it's really about winning football games. We're trying to go to the Super Bowl.

"All the interceptions and takeaways is all a bonus."

Et cetera

The Chargers have listed DE Luis Castillo (ankle), OLB Shawne Merriman (knee) and RB Michael Turner (shoulder) as questionable for Monday's game with Denver. QB Philip Rivers (knee) is probable. … Coach Norv Turner is most concerned about the availability of Castillo, who last played Nov. 4 against Minnesota. "It would be great for him to get some work, but I want to see how he makes it through (the next two practices)," Turner said. … DT Jamal Williams (ankle) is a full go for Monday night. … RB Darren Sproles, who carried the ball 25 times against Detroit last Sunday because of the unavailability of usual No. 2 back Michael Turner, will receive some carries Monday, according to Norv Turner. How many carries is the unanswered question. "Probably depends on how the game goes," said Sproles, who had 122 yards and two touchdowns against the Lions.

Excelling at thievery

The Chargers have been taking the ball away from opponents in impressive fashion. With two games left in the regular season, they lead the NFL in interceptions (27) and takeaways (41) and are tied for first with New England in best turnover margin (+19).

Hereís a look at their performance in this area.

Date Opponent W/L Ints Fumbles Takeaways Notable

Sept.9 Chicago W 1 3 4 Season-high fumble recovery total

Sept. 16 at New England L 1 1 2 Clinton Hart intercepts Tom Brady

Sept. 23 at Green Bay L 0 0 0 One of two times Chargers have failed to force a turnover

Sept. 30 Kansas City L 2 0 2 Chiefs score 20 points off four Chargersí turnovers

Oct. 7 at Denver W 1 2 3 Fumble on special teams returned for TD by Brandon Siler

Oct. 14 Oakland W 2 1 3 Antonio Cromartie records first career interception

Oct. 28 Houston W 4 1 5 Cromartie scores TDs on interception and recovery of punt snap

Nov. 4 at Minnesota L 0 2 2 Marlon McCree and Drayton Florence recover fumbles

Nov. 11 Indianapolis W6 0 6 Peyton Manning intercepted six times; three by Cromartie

Nov. 18 at Jacksonville L 0 0 0 No forced turnovers for second time this season

Nov. 25 Baltimore W 0 2 2 Shawne Merriman and Igor Olshansky force fumbles

Dec. 2 at Kansas City W 3 1 4 Cromartie intercepts two passes; his third multi-interception game

Dec. 9 at Tennessee W 2 0 2Cromartie and Matt Wilhelm intercept passes

Dec. 16 Detroit W 5 1 6 Cromartie gets 10th pick and Shaun Phillips returns interception for TD

Contact staff writer Mike Sullivan at (760) 739-6645 or msullivan@nctimes.com.