Monday Night Preview

A match-up meant for Monday Night features the AFC West’s best battling it out in San Diego. A bitter rivalry renewed after the Broncos midseason collapse last year when the Chargers sneaked into playoff contention at 8-8 grabbing their 4th AFC West Division title in 5 years. This year the Broncos are looking unstoppable led by Rookie Head Coach Josh McDaniels beginning his coaching career with a surprising 5-0 record. Denver has one of the best ranked defenses in the NFL complimented by an outstanding turnover ratio (+7, second in the league). The Charger’s D on the other hand has been exceptionally sorry, especially against the run yielding an average of 150 yards per game. Hopefully, with a well timed BYE before this bout, the Charger’s defense shows up ready and healthy. General Manager AJ Smith’s most recent trash talk, calling his team “soft and bewildered”, has already gotten LB Shawne Merriman fired up. Merriman replied publically that AJ’s comments were “not needed” and that he “only cared about the opinions in the locker room”. Rookie DE Larry English is also fired up after his first career sack and forced fumble vs. Pittsburgh, Week 4. With a bit of luck Merriman along with LB Stephen Cooper, LB Shaun Phillips, DT Travis Johnson and DE Jacques Cesaire (who were all limited in practice Monday) will play Monday Night. LB Antwan Applewhite should also play for the first time since injuring his hamstring in the season opener vs. Oakland. In any case, Denver will need to put up more than their average of just under 20 points per game (Denver has only put up more than 20 points against Oakland and Cleveland) if they want to compete with the Chargers. The Chargers are second in pass yards per game and are averaging a substantial 25+ points per game. San Diego has the offensive power to supply the Broncos with their first loss. This would be a great win for the Chargers against their toughest division rival as they match-up against the rest of the AFC West over the next couple weeks. The game will be televised on ESPN, 530pm Monday night. The Chargers will sport the Powder Blues, while the Broncos will wear their original brown and mustard uniforms.