Denver has jumped out to an early 5-0 start thus far, each win more impressive and improbable than the last. First, there was the miracle finish at Cincinnati, then a goal line stand against the Cowboys, and last week featured an impressive second-half shutdown of the Patriot offense, of which Tennessee might say is pretty good. Pretty, pretty good.
A few common themes have been prevalent throughout Denver's early season success. One is stingy defense. They have not surrendered more than 17 points in any game this season. Secondly, they have made excellent adjustments at halftime. Say what you will about young head coaches and the need for experience, but Josh McDaniels has been prepared very well for this job and it shows. The Broncos have been down in each of their past two games at the half and have come back to win on the back of Brandon Marshall and their defense. They held both New England and Dallas to zero points in the second half. Finally, Brandon Marshall has played like Brandon Marshall. This could (and should) be troublesome for the Chargers, who have shown no ability to cover anybody. Marshall has scored the game-winner in each of the past two games and has proved uncoverable in the past against San Diego.
On the flip side San Diego, enters tonight 2-2 in what many consider a "must-win" type of game. A loss here will put them back 3.5 games in the division, not ruling them out completely (see here). In his first four Monday Night games, Rivers has posted a perfect 4-0 record while completing a staggering 70.1 percent of his passes and thrown six touchdowns to just two interceptions.
?Denver at home on Monday Night with what this game means, it?s going to be something,? Rivers said. ?It?s a division game and we?ve always had a heated rivalry with these guys. You throw in that they?re 5-0 and we?re 2-2 and Monday night, it couldn?t be much bigger.?
The Chargers are 2-0 under Turner following byes, with wins over Houston (2007) and Kansas City (2008). The Chargers will also wear their powder blue throwbacks tonight.
San Diego -3.5
A few common themes have been prevalent throughout Denver's early season success. One is stingy defense. They have not surrendered more than 17 points in any game this season. Secondly, they have made excellent adjustments at halftime. Say what you will about young head coaches and the need for experience, but Josh McDaniels has been prepared very well for this job and it shows. The Broncos have been down in each of their past two games at the half and have come back to win on the back of Brandon Marshall and their defense. They held both New England and Dallas to zero points in the second half. Finally, Brandon Marshall has played like Brandon Marshall. This could (and should) be troublesome for the Chargers, who have shown no ability to cover anybody. Marshall has scored the game-winner in each of the past two games and has proved uncoverable in the past against San Diego.
On the flip side San Diego, enters tonight 2-2 in what many consider a "must-win" type of game. A loss here will put them back 3.5 games in the division, not ruling them out completely (see here). In his first four Monday Night games, Rivers has posted a perfect 4-0 record while completing a staggering 70.1 percent of his passes and thrown six touchdowns to just two interceptions.
?Denver at home on Monday Night with what this game means, it?s going to be something,? Rivers said. ?It?s a division game and we?ve always had a heated rivalry with these guys. You throw in that they?re 5-0 and we?re 2-2 and Monday night, it couldn?t be much bigger.?
The Chargers are 2-0 under Turner following byes, with wins over Houston (2007) and Kansas City (2008). The Chargers will also wear their powder blue throwbacks tonight.
San Diego -3.5
