"The Chargers today begin preparing in earnest for their Monday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos.

It's a good week for Philip Rivers.

"I do like playing them," said Rivers, whose 117.1 passer rating in eight games against Denver is his highest among teams he's faced more than twice. "All the division games seem like rivalries, but this one ... Maybe it's because they have happened to be the team we're battling to win the division every year."

Through nine games this season, that is not the case, though both remain alive in the AFC West race - the Chargers a game behind Oakland and Kansas City and Denver a game back of the Chargers.

Rivers does not deny the Chargers' offensive success against Denver. How could he? He has thrown 14 touchdowns with just three interceptions in eight career starts against the Broncos, and the Chargers have won six times."