Broncos vs. Chargers: Where and When to Watch Monday's Marquee Matchup

Monday Night Football is one of the biggest highlights of every NFL fan's week, and this episode has a divisional matchup between the San Diego Chargers (3-2) and the Denver Broncos (2-3) worthy of the marquee stage.

With two of the best quarterbacks in the league squaring off for a chance to take momentum in the wide-open AFC West, even the most casual NFL fans can’t help but love this tough battle for divisional supremacy.

It may be early in the season, but storylines already run deep in this matchup, making it the most intriguing Monday night game so far in this 2012 NFL season.

Where: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, CA

When: Monday, Oct. 15 at 8:30 p.m. ET

Watch: ESPN

Live Stream: Watch ESPN

Players to Watch

Philip Rivers, QB, San Diego Chargers

While Philip Rivers hasn’t had the greatest season so far, last week’s loss to the New Orleans Saints allowed the offensive unit for the Chargers to get on the same page.

Despite the fact that the Chargers defense couldn’t hold off Drew Brees and the Saints, Rivers threw for 354 yards and two touchdowns. With a return to his old form, Rivers will continue his dominance against a tougher Denver Broncos secondary.

While he won’t have 350 yards again, fantasy owners and Chargers fans should expect around 300 yards and two touchdowns from the veteran. San Diego wins the game, though, only if Rivers protects the football.

Peyton Manning, QB, Denver Broncos

While Willis McGahee will have a tough time running against the Chargers, veteran QB Peyton Manning will have a field day against San Diego’s 20th-ranked pass defense.

Manning is looking for redemption after a heartbreaking loss to the New England Patriots in Week 5, but it will be the heat of a divisional battle that gets all the competitive juices flowing. Manning will be on a mission Monday night.

With the chance to take the helm of a wide-open AFC West, Manning will bring his best effort on the Monday night stage and make this game one of the best shootouts of the week.

Ryan Mathews, RB, San Diego Chargers

With the bright lights of Monday Night Football on his shoulders, San Diego Chargers running back Ryan Mathews will return to the starting lineup against the Denver Broncos.

The young star was benched after key fumbles cost the team dearly, but his stellar play in Week 5 put Mathews back in the good graces of his team. Now he can build on his success against the Broncos.

As good as Denver is against the pass, they are ranked 21st against the rush, and Mathews will carve its defense up all day. It will be the young RB that leads the Chargers to an upset win.

Prediction: San Diego Chargers 31, Denver Broncos 27

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