Chargers, Philip Rivers Continue To Roll With Dominating Win Over Broncos, 35-14

SB Nation’s Bolts From The Blue says it’s nice to win but San Diego was expected to be here.

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Bolts From The Blue says that while the offensive stats were impressive, this one was all about the defense.

Of course, good field position helped as Denver started as San Diego’s 40.

Denver still didn’t feel the need to onside it and instead kicked away, hoping their defense can pull a rabbit out of their hat. We shall see.

Rivers is now 14-of-23 for 223 yards, four towndowns and one interception. So…pretty good.

28-7 Chargers after Nate Kaedings’ extra point.

San Diego had an earlier opportunity in the second quarter to take a lead over the Broncos, but kicker Nate Kaeding missed a 52-yard field goal. That means that once again former Colts kicker Mike Vanderjagt has regained the status as the most accurate kicker in NFL history. Quite a distinction for a guy without a job in the league.

The Chargers were able to bounce back well on their next offensive possession. Little pass rush is being shown by the Broncos, meaning Philip Rivers has had all day to pick apart the Denver secondary. Two passes to Patrick Crayton gained 64 yards. The latter of which went for 49 yards and gave the Chargers the ball inside the Denver 5.

The Chargers have had more than their share of difficulties with punting the ball this season, with five having been blocked so far. So it’s about time something went right for them in the special teams. That came on Monday night, where a fake went for 28 yards to set up San Diego’s first score.

The Chargers come into the game having allowed the least amount of offensive yards among all the NFL teams, though that’s also due in part to their special teams being so horrid. Nevertheless, the Chargers get to call themselves the league’s top-ranked defense.

Too bad they didn’t play much like it on the game’s opening drive. Denver marched down the field for an easy touchdown in six plays, not gaining fewer than eight yards on any but the last of them. That of course was the four-yard touchdown run by Knowshon Moreno.

Chargers Pro Bowl tight end Antonio Gates had been listed as questionable leading up to the Monday night game against the Denver Broncos. Unfortunately for Gates, it appears he wasn’t able to overcome the torn plantar fascia in his right foot that has bothered the player since Week 8.

It’s been an especially injury plagued season for Gates. Even before he tore the plantar fascia, Gates had been dealing with a left toe and ankle injury. Randy McMichael will start in his place against the Broncos.

The Broncos are coming off of a blowout victory over the Chiefs that saw the passing game light it up. It’s obvious what their offense is about -- they’re the No. 3 ranked passing offense and No. 32 ranked rushing offense. The Broncos want to throw the ball, plain and simple. Defensively they’ll have some problems against the Chargers. The Broncos rank 30th in the NFL in points allowed and 31st against the run. They’ll have their hands full against the Chargers offense.

This game has huge divisional implications. A San Diego loss would put them two games behind the Chiefs with six to play. A San Diego win puts the solidly in second place along with the Raiders. The Broncos, 3-6, have slim playoff hopes remaining but absolutely must win this game to keep that going.