Broncos vs. Chargers Monday Night Football: Reaction To Game's Biggest Stories

San Diego Chargers quarterbacl Philip Rivers looks to lead the Bolts back to .500
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In their second Monday Night Football appearance this season, the San Diego Chargers look to improve their record to .500 and try to stay alive in what could end up being a tight race for the AFC West.

The Denver Broncos, while sitting in last place of the AFC West will being looking to Kyle Orton and the their high flying pass offense to slow the Bolts hopes for repeating as AFC West champions.

The Chargers come into Monday night's game ranked first in total offense, total defense, passing offense, and passing defense.

However they will be without Pro Bowl tight end Antonio Gates, breakout wide receiver Malcom Floyd and rookie running back Ryan Mathews.

11:15 PM ET

Broncos vs. Chargers: The Bolts are showing no mercy

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The San Diego Chargers are continuing their relentless attack against the Denver Broncos, The Bolts are not taking any prisoners, and playing like the season is on the line.

The Broncos are looking to find a way to beat the Chargers defense and try and contain the Chargers high-powered offense.

Was the Broncos aerial assault against the Raiders two weeks a fluke? Quite possibly, because the Broncos have been unable to produce anything against a stronger Chargers defense.

Tonight, the Chargers have proved why they have the number one overall defense, and number one passing defense in the league. A case could be made about the Chargers run defense. They have shutdown Knowshon Moreno, and the Broncos run defense. Leaving Denver fans to wonder, what will happen to the rest of their season.

10:38 PM ET

Broncos vs Chargers: Bolts leading at the half, 21-7

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Tonight's game sure hasn't lacked in the excitement department. The Broncos and Chargers have shown why this may be an interesting second half of football.

The Chargers have showed tonight why they lead the league in passing offense and passing defense holding the Broncos to only 7 points in the first half.

Rivers, continuing his quest to break Dan Marino's single season passing record with 138 yards though the air, and two touchdowns to end the first half.

While neither the Chargers or Broncos running game has taken off, both offenses have show they can put up big numbers through the air.

10:06 PM ET

Broncos vs Chargers: Bolts wide receiver Patrick Crayton having big game

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Just before the start of the regular season, San Diego Chargers general manager A.J. Smith traded for disgrunted Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Patrick Crayton. Crayton, had seen less playing time in the Cowboys preseason after drafting wide receiver Dez Bryant.

It didn't take long for Crayton to start accumulating playing time after Chargers wide receivers Malcom Floyd and Legedu Naanee went down early in the season.

The Bolts looked to the veteran leadership of Crayton to mentor the Chargers youthful wide receiver corps.

Crayton, had a breakout game against the Houston Texans with three catches for 70 yards. So far against the Broncos, Crayton has racked up 103 yards on three catches including a touchdown. He left the game heading for the locker room after scoring the touchdown. From what I was told, replays showed Crayton landing funny on his left arm.

9:51 PM ET

Broncos vs. Chargers: Antonio Gates inactive for tonight's game

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The San Diego Chargers are going to be without Pro Bowl tight end Antonio Gates for the third straight game.

Gates, is still recovering from a toe and foot injury he sustained two weeks ago. There has been no timetable given for Gates' return to the team, and many fans were hoping that he would be ready for tonight's game against the Broncos with the Chargers having been on a bye last week.

The Chargers have being dealing with a laundry list of injuries that inhcludes Gates, breakout wide receiver Malcom Floyd, and rookie running back Ryan Mathews.