Denver Broncos vs San Diego Chargers Monday Night Football Picks

Denver enters this week with a chance to improve its AFC West standing with a win against a division rival for the second straight week, following a 59-29 blowout home win over the Kansas City Chiefs. “I think that was really the best example of a complementary football game that we’ve put together all year,” head coach Josh McDaniels said. “I think it’s a good thing for our team to be reinforced with what you’re really capable of doing.” A primetime matchup with the Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium is nothing new for the Broncos, as this game marks the fourth-straight year the teams have met in the national spotlight. Denver dropped two of those three games, with the exception being last season’s 34-23 win on Monday Night Football. The team is 2-9 ATS as a road underdog of 7.5 to 10 points.

The Broncos will be making their 62nd appearance on Monday Night Football, which is tied for fourth-most in league history. “You’re the only game in town – the only ones playing,” said Justin Bannan. “So if we can go out and show the world what we’re all about, that’d be great.” Many anticipate a highly-offensive game, considering that the teams rank as the top two offensive units in the AFC in passes covering at least 20 yards and 40-plus yards, with 110 such plays combined. Quarterback Kyle Orton threw for a career-best 3,802 yards last season and is on pace to shatter that mark during the 2010-11 campaign.

San Diego enjoyed a bye week last week after picking up a 29-23 win at Houston despite missing Pro Bowl tight end Antonio Gates. He is likely going to miss tonight’s contest with a right foot injury. “I’m going to do all I can do to get out there against Denver,” he stated. “Whether I can do it or not, I’m always trying to play.” Quarterback Philip Rivers would love to have his main weapon in the huddle, especially considering he has a 6-3 record against the Broncos in his career. He’s completed 67.1 percent of his 222 attempts for 2,078 yards, with 14 touchdowns against just five interceptions in those games. The team is 1-3 ATS when playing on Monday night the past three years.

The Chargers have won seven consecutive November games and know that another division loss could be fatal in their attempt to win another AFC West title. “We’re a win away from first place and a loss away from last place,” said Rivers. “Everybody’s in it and there’s still a long way to go.” San Diego has won six of the past eight meetings, but Denver owns a 20-14 record versus San Diego in November. The bye week did what head coach Norv Turner wanted it to do. “We’ve been able to get healthy in a number of areas,” he stated. “We are rested.” Neither running back Ryan Mathews or Gates has practiced since their last game.

Bettors will likely lay the Broncos due to their 7-18-1 ATS mark versus the AFC West, while the Chargers are 1-5 ATS in their last six games following a bye week.

Don’t miss Jeff Mattingly’s Monday Night Football Pick on this exciting game – Get it now!