"Philip Rivers has not been a thorn in the Broncos' side. He hasn't been a rock in their collective shoes, sand under their eyelids. No, Rivers has been a full-fledged, knee-buckling, stomach-churning migraine for Denver. While the list of what has troubled the Broncos in recent years is long, the one constant has been the team's troubles against San Diego — and Rivers.

Since Rivers became San Diego's starter, he has gone 9-2 against the Broncos (it would 10-1 if not for referee Ed Hochuli?'s blown call in 2008). The Broncos not only haven't won a division title in that span, they haven't made it to the playoffs since Rivers took over.

The division's heavyweight quarterback, however, has been wobbly on his feet this season, leading the league in interceptions (17) while unable to get the Chargers out of their midseason funk (five-game losing streak) heading into today's game against Denver.

"He's a good quarterback, period," Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey? said. "There's been no secret to it. He's won the games, they've been the team in this division. We have to go there expecting (Rivers) to be the quarterback he's always been against us. . . . He's thrown some interceptions. That doesn't mean they'll keep happening.

"That's how we have to look at it. If you've been here, you know what he can do."

And what Rivers has done and what is happening to him now is the heart of the matter. He topped 3,000 yards passing from 2006-09 when the Chargers won the AFC West each year."