Broncos-Chargers: Set to Solve the Puzzle That Is the AFC West

San Diego fans got their wish: The AFC West will not be decided by Ed Hochuli's call, it will all come down to the final regular season game of the NFL season that pits the first-place Denver Broncos (8-7) against the second-place Chargers (7-8).

Three weeks ago, it appeared as though Denver had this division locked up with a three-game lead and three games left to play.  However, with elimination staring the Chargers straight in the face, Philip Rivers willed them to three straight wins over Oakland, Kansas City, and Tampa Bay. 

With a little help from the Panthers and Bills, the Chargers are still alive and have a chance to repeat as division champions.

The rivalry between the Broncos and Chargers has become personal in the past year, with San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers taunting Jay Cutler on a Monday Night Christmas Eve showdown in 2008 being the match that lit the fire. 

Since that Monday Night game, Broncos' quarterback Jay Cutler and Philip Rivers have not been the best of "buddies", and with Cutler's controversial fumble back in Week Two, the tension has grown even tighter between these two teams.

All the tension aside, this game is going to be extremely fun to watch. 

San Diego has been horrendous this season, and they have only beaten three teams with winning records (Tampa Bay, New York Jets, New England).  The reason I use the term "horrendous" is because San Diego, as we all know, was supposed to be the cream of the crop in the AFC this season, and was considered by many experts to be the best team in the NFL. 

Since those lofty expectations, the Chargers have managed a measly 7-8 record, and have had to scratch and claw their way back to where they were supposed to be all along.

The Broncos always garner high expectations, and after a surprising 4-1 start to their season, Denver has gone 4-6 in their last 10 games, and have been as up and down as the Six Flags not too far from Invesco Field at Mile High. 

Still, Denver has persevered through many injuries, most notably at running back where seven backs have been sent to injured reserve this season. 

At the beginning of the season, Mike Shanahan had enough faith in his coaching ability to start 13 players who were not starters in 2007, and that number has only grown as the season has progressed. 

So let's throw all the stats away.  The past is what it is, and the future is now.  Both teams have a chance to start anew and erase all the skepticism of their inconsistent seasons.

The winner of this game not only is awarded the AFC West crown, but it will also be rewarded with a home playoff game in the first round against the absolutely white-hot Indianapolis Colts.

Ultimately, this game will come down to the defense that can force more turnovers.  Both offenses are electrifying and neither defense has proven that they are consistently able to stop anybody.

Denver has been in sole possession of first place in the AFC West since Week One, and they have actually played better on the road than they have at home this season.  The Broncos will make the trip out to Qualcomm Stadium where they have lost three of their last four, but where the Chargers are a mere 4-3 this season.

Merry Christmas to all you fans who will be watching the game this weekend. 

If you get nothing out of my writing, please take this with you:  No matter what happens on Sunday Night under the lights, both teams have very promising futures, and what happens will happen for a reason.  God bless, and be safe this holiday season.